Confusion Regarding Being Diagnosed Diabetic

Okay, just to explain the story behind my confusion, four years ago I went to see my GP because I was sleeping all the time and generally feeling very lethargic, and having to get up four or five times during the night to urinate. At the time I was 51 years old and I asked my doctor if I could have tests done to see if I had diabetes. He arranged for me to have the necessary blood tests, which came back negative. He arranged for me to have the tests done again and they also came back negative. My doctor suggested I leave it for a month or two before making an appointment to have the tests done again. Being a typical bloke, I didn’t bother, in fact I didn’t go back to my doctor’s for another fifteen months. I guess I’d resigned myself to the fact if I didn’t have diabetes I would just have to learn to live with the inconvenience of the frequent visits to the toilet.

It was exactly a year and three months later that I received a phone call from my GP’s surgery requesting me to make an appointment to see the practice nurse. It was during this visit to see the nurse she asked me a rather peculiar question. She asked me why I wasn’t on medication for my diabetes! I told her I didn’t have diabetes because two separate blood tests I had the previous year had come back negative. She then said my records had been updated in February and stated I had Type 2 Diabetes. I told her this was news to me because I hadn’t been to the doctor’s in fifteen months. She promised she would look into it, but she never did.

Now, here’s the weird part. She arranged for me to have the blood tests done again, and guess what… This time they came back showing that I do have Type 2 Diabetes! This however still doesn’t explain why my medical records were updated before this had been established.

I’m seriously thinking of lodging a formal complaint with the PCT to find out who was responsible for updating my records. The only problem is that two years have passed since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and I don’t know if there is a time limit on making complaints to the PCT.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their helpful replies. I think I will take Spiral’s advice and contact the Practice Manager. I’d just assumed the PCT would be my first port of call, but if the Practice Manager is the way to go then so be it. Would it be possible for me to make an appointment to see him/her personally rather than discuss my problem over the phone? If necessary I don’t mind paying £10 or whatever for a copy of my medical records as my problem is remembering dates, particularly exact dates of when I first went to the doctor to request blood tests to determine whether or not I had diabetes. I’m pretty sure my first visit was January 18th 2005 (the reason I remember this is because January 18th is my birthday).

Jopar, I’d just like to clarify something. I have absolutely no intention of going in all guns blazing. Apologies if my post gave this impression. I merely want to find out who was responsible for updating my medical records and whether it was due to someone’s incompetence. Just to clarify another point, this actually came to my knowledge two years ago and I’m worried they might wonder why I waited so long before following it up. In my defence I was coming to terms with the fact that a latest series of blood tests came back showing I had Type 2 Diabetes. Since then, I have been on Metformin 500mg twice a day.

Dingbat, I appreciate what you’re saying but I’m afraid in an instance such as this, I cannot move on. Especially if, like I said before, this is down to someone’s incompetence. That person, in my opinion, should definitely not be working in a medical capacity. Okay, I know to err is human, but I think this person should be answerable for their mistakes. I think it would be irresponsible on my part just to sweep this one under the carpet. Incidentally, this isn’t the first time mistakes have been made at my doctor’s surgery. There have been occasions when there have been mix ups with appointments I’ve made – i.e. where the receptionist has argued black was blue that I hadn’t made an appointment even though I have a text message from them confirming my appointment! Their argument is that it is the PCT that sends those text messages, not them. So this should give you some idea of what I have to contend with. I’m not in the habit of making complaints but I think in this instance I have very good cause.

Incidentally, I do have a Blood Glucose Monitoring Kit and test my blood sugar once a week (as directed by my Practice Nurse). For most part I’m able to keep my blood sugar below 7.1, however when I tested it this morning it was a staggering 16.6. To be fair, this test was done after breakfast whereas I normally test my blood sugar before having anything to eat (again this was recommended by the Practice Nurse). I do see the nurse regularly regarding my diabetes and would say it is pretty much under control.

Thanks again for all your replies. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Yes, I have visited this site regularly for the past three or four months but only just got around to actually joining. I hope to contribute to the site in coming months (especially when I’ve got over this darned Urinary Tract Infection which is making my life a total misery at the moment).

Dave

Thanks hanadr,

I have an appointment to see my GP this evening so I shall mention it to him then. He'll probably refer me to the nurse. Admittedly, I haven't seen her for a couple of months as I've been quite poorly with a recurring Urinary Tract Infection. I'll let you know how things go.

Thanks again for your comments.

Dave

Thanks Hana and Patti. I went to see my GP this evening and told him about my blood sugar being 16.6. He has increased my Metformin 500mg to three times a day, instead of twice a day. I am also on Ramipril 2.5mg for High Blood Pressure, which he has increased to 5mg a day. And as regards to my UTI and high temperature he has prescribed a 10-day course of Amoxicillin 250mg (one capsule to be taken three times a day). The doctor also wants me to come in and see the nurse every week for the next four weeks (or longer if necessary) so that she can monitor my progress.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the helpful people on this forum. Your advice and support has helped reassure me.

Dave

Hi Spiral,

The meter I use is a Prestige QX Smart System, which was given to me by the nurse when I was diagnosed with T2 two years ago. Unfortunately, my meter didn't come with any software, although it does have a serial cable port where presumably it can be hooked up to a computer, but no cable was supplied. Incidentally, I tested my blood sugar on waking up this morning and the reading was 5.3. I will test it again a couple of hours after breakfast.

Thanks Patti, my meter came supplied with a log book to record all my readings. I will however start keeping a food diary as from today.

Thanks again, I will keep you updated on my progress during the coming weeks.

Dave

Hi Angela,

Yes, I would definitely lodge a complaint if I were you. You are of the same mind as me when you say it could happen to someone else who may not be so lucky. Medical mistakes can and do cost lives and the people responsible need to be held accountable for their mistakes. To be honest, I haven’t proceeded with my complaint as yet, only because I’ve been feeling really poorly with a recurring Urinary Tract Infection and high temperature but as soon as I feel well enough I will be making an appointment to see the practice manager.

I’m glad to say I’m feeling a lot better and I attribute this to the advice given by the wonderful people on these forums. Two weeks ago I honestly felt and looked like I was at death’s door. Now I’m starting to feel like my old self. I now keep a food diary and check my blood sugar at least four times a day – which I’m happy to report seems to be under control with readings that average 5.4. Despite what my nurse said about only doing this once a week. I think maybe she’s just trying to save the NHS money by making the lancets and test strips last as long as possible!

I will of course keep everyone posted as regards to the progress of my complaint as and when the time comes.

Thanks again.

Dave

Cheers John. Apologies if I'm repeating myself here but when I went to see my GP on Tuesday he increased my Metformin dosage to 1 x 500mg three times a day (instead of twice a day). He also upped my Ramipril from 2.5mg to 5mg per day. And for my UTI and high temperature he prescribed a 10-day course of Amoxicillin 250mg to be taken three times a day. The Amoxicillin seem to be a lot more effective than the Trimethoprim 200mg he was prescribing before. I had a decent night's sleep last night and finally woke up without being soaked in cold sweat. I'm definitely on the road to recovery

Dave

Will do, John. I think this UTI thing has been something of a wake up call. I still need to go into hospital on the 28th of this month for a CT scan of my abdomen, and again on the 1st October to have a camera inserted into my bladder via my urethra. It doesn't sound like a very pleasant procedure but I've been assured I won't feel a thing. Needless to say, I'm bricking it at the minute and keeping my fingers crossed that they don't find anything "serious". I'm now pretty sure the root of my problem will stem back to poor control of my diabetes and I've finally realised that diabetes should NEVER be taken lightly.

Glad to hear the doctor has reduced your Ramipril to 2.5mg per day. It sounds like you well and truly have everything under control. Well done, John.

Dave