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Bored Practice Nurse

luceeloo

luceeloo

Well-Known Member
Messages
677
Location
Rowley Regis
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I went for an appointment with the practice nurse on Tuesday. The appointment was organised 2 months ago because neither of us were entirely happy with the erratic nature of my blood sugar levels, and as I've got a history of very high blood pressure, she was going to do check up on that too.
I got there, and she was yawning and moaning about it being early (it was 8:30). She read my latest HbA1c result (6.9%), then told me how she was so tired from going out on the town with the girls the night before, that she couldn't focus on her job.
I mentioned that I've started to get numbness and burning in my toes, she hmmmmed about it, then sent me on my way with blood test paperwork for my annual review in July.

I find it laughable really, because I rarely read stories on here about Type 2's with consistently positive NHS experiences. It seems we suffer from a disease that bores the health care professionals to the point where they can't be bothered to do a proper job.
I know that we are all human and we all have off-days, but If I went to work this morning with the same kind of can't-be-bothered attitude, I'd find myself waiting in line at the jobcentre.

What worries me about this experience is that I used to work in healthcare, so I have half a clue about Diabetes. I have access to the internet, to this forum, and I have the means of connecting with other type 2's to learn the tricks of the trade. I'm 33, live an active lifestyle and have an interest in preserving my own health for as long as possible.
What if I wasn't all of those things? What if I was my Mom's age (61), not so good with the internet, sedentary, and just muddled along with life? What would become of me if I had to rely on the advice (or lack of it) and lack of general interest from my care team?
It's a scary thought!
 
luceeloo said:
What if I wasn't all of those things? What if I was my Mom's age (61), not so good with the internet, sedentary, and just muddled along with life? What would become of me if I had to rely on the advice (or lack of it) and lack of general interest from my care team?
It's a scary thought!
Click to expand...

I find that it is exactly those concerns that spur me to greater efforts on my own behalf. Perish the day that I rely blindly on a wide awake nurse who dispenses pills since they are the only thing in her armoury.
 
I think that's outrageous. I wouldn't want to lose anyone their job, but this is health and life she is dealing with. I would be straight to the practice manager about that.
 
Practice Nurses are generalists and do everything from blood tests to baby injections and asthma clinics. One of mine is Nurse Nightshade, who is so abrupt and belittling that I won't see her. I do not rely on anything mine say. I just let them do my blood tests, checking my feet and blood pressure and anything else I speak to my GP.

OP if you have any concerns, make an appointment with your GP.
 
luceeloo said:
I went for an appointment with the practice nurse on Tuesday. The appointment was organised 2 months ago because neither of us were entirely happy with the erratic nature of my blood sugar levels, and as I've got a history of very high blood pressure, she was going to do check up on that too.
I got there, and she was yawning and moaning about it being early (it was 8:30). She read my latest HbA1c result (6.9%), then told me how she was so tired from going out on the town with the girls the night before, that she couldn't focus on her job.
I mentioned that I've started to get numbness and burning in my toes, she hmmmmed about it, then sent me on my way with blood test paperwork for my annual review in July.

I find it laughable really, because I rarely read stories on here about Type 2's with consistently positive NHS experiences. It seems we suffer from a disease that bores the health care professionals to the point where they can't be bothered to do a proper job.
I know that we are all human and we all have off-days, but If I went to work this morning with the same kind of can't-be-bothered attitude, I'd find myself waiting in line at the jobcentre.

What worries me about this experience is that I used to work in healthcare, so I have half a clue about Diabetes. I have access to the internet, to this forum, and I have the means of connecting with other type 2's to learn the tricks of the trade. I'm 33, live an active lifestyle and have an interest in preserving my own health for as long as possible.
What if I wasn't all of those things? What if I was my Mom's age (61), not so good with the internet, sedentary, and just muddled along with life? What would become of me if I had to rely on the advice (or lack of it) and lack of general interest from my care team?
It's a scary thought!
Click to expand...



"What if I wasn't all of those things? What if I was my Mom's age (61), not so good with the internet, sedentary, and just muddled along with life? What would become of me if I had to rely on the advice (or lack of it) and lack of general interest from my care team?
It's a scary thought!"

This was exactly my dads experience.... he died at 67

makes me so cross :( not least with myself, as i didn't bother to look into diabetes when i had the chance, he was under the "care" of the doctors, why did i need to? pffft

we are on our own with this, we have to assume they are useless and do it ourselves i reckon (opinion)
 
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