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Flu jab and blood glucose

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HpprKM

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Self absorbed and rude people! Motorists who are oblivious to the rest of the world, and really don't give a ****!
I have mentioned this under a separate post but re post to catch a broader spectrum of members!

I am due for my annual blood test, was planning to have tomorrow and have booked an appointment for GP for 17 Oct to review results, but it has now occurred to me that having had my flu jab yesterday this could affect results. Does anyone have experience or know if this is possible since the bacteria is not live should it really make any difference?
 
Would have thought it could affect your blood glucose level for a fasting test, but not your HbA1c result which is what your annual test is presumably about. The HbA1c remember is a 3 month average (albeit weighted to the most recent months) so a one-off rise would not impact. I'm not an expert on this mind!
 
It is a fasting test, I thought that was the annual test, according to my Practice Nurse.
 
My nurse thought it was necessary to fast for the HbA1c test I referred to (wrong!) I bet your test is this, because a normal fasting test annually would tell you nothing. Ask her precisely what it is and let us know. By the way, this HbA1c should really be every 3 to4 months, not annually. They like to save money!
 
Hi all.
I had a flu jab PLUS a cortisone injection last tues was okay weds but last thurs,fri and yesterday my BG levels rocketed 20.1 - 19.8 - 18.9 felt really achey, weary and drained . :o Ruff to say the least! Drank loads of coffee to try and keep me awake and going. Ended up sleeping for england,scotland and wales.
Today woke up feeling brighter and had enough energy to have a shower and get some chores done.
I have my HbA1c [fasting test] done 3-4 monthly, but am concerned with you having the flu jab prior to it - it may sit in the results affected by the flu jab as it is 24hrs. Given the HbA1c gives an overall last 10weeks of coverage your BG levels.
Anna. :)
 
Grazer - to be honest the visit got off to a really bad start as I told her that I usually see my GP (every 3 or so months, but has been longer this time for various reasons, however, she denied this saying I only got the tests done annually with diabetic nurse, we nearly felt out and she would not listen to me - I last saw GP in February, and tried to say so! Also nearly felt out over carbs, she insisted that carbs are vital and when I said there are two schools of thought on this, she said there is only one and it is the right one! She then went on to tell me what diabetes is and how it affects the pancreas (silly me not knowing such basic stuff), again I tried to talk and she said 'Will you just listen to me', she then proceeded to start to tell me about how a diet should be for a diabetic, and even showed me pictures - I sat there patiently saying 'yes', 'I know' etc in a bored and resigned voice, and then I had to get weighed she was happy with this, as I lost weight and have never been really overweight. At this point she looked at my files again and said you last results were in February were good (5.7) and that they were lower than the previous, I said 'Yes' that is when I saw my GP, she was not fazed at all - I so wanted to say 'I told you so'. She asked about any problems and I told how tired I get of late, she then set me up for all the tests as described, and started talking quite rationally and pleasantly about my family history of thyroid etc - I said to her 'I am sorry I am not good at listening but I used to be a Lecturer and am more used to talking than listening (truth is she would not listen to me, but I was trying to be pleasant), her attitude changed completely and she stopped talking to as if I was stupid, because through the whole first stage of the check she was talking down to me and I really cannot stand that. My daughter said that they meet so many people who do not trouble to find out about their illness that they assume everyone is the same, but I said 'As Lecturers you are told not to assume all levels of intelligence and learning ability are the same and shouldn't Doctors and nurses do the same.

So the long winded answer is I am completely lost on what type of test this is, and I am really not going back to ask her, I will get the test done and book in to see my GP in three months for my usual check, you know - the one I do not have - deep breathes :-)

Incidentally, as you may guess, she was totally against self testing telling me that glucose readings need to carried out over a series of months, (again silly me for not knowing that - yeah right!) I asked how I am supposed what my glucose is doing on a daily basis, no answer forthcoming just reiteration of the same old, same old!
To cap it all, when I went for flu jab, guess who did mine - you got it, the same practice nurse!

And incidentally - thanks to all for feedback.
 
Grazer - to be honest the visit got off to a really bad start - first she accused me of missing an appointment, this irritated me as I am very hot on keeping or cancelling in good time, upon investigation this was the case - originally booked for 21 Sept, but cancelled as I had been ill - receptionist error! I told her that I usually see my GP (every 3 or so months, but has been longer this time for various reasons), however, she denied this saying that tests were only carried out annually and results discussed with diabetic nurse, conversation was getting quite heated and she would not listen to me - I last saw GP in February, and tried to say so! Also nearly fell out over carbs, she insisted that there are risks attached to carbs and diabetes, when I said there are two schools of thought on this, she said there is only one and it is the right one! She then went on to tell me what diabetes is and how it affects the pancreas (silly me not knowing such basic stuff - humphh!), again I tried to talk and she said 'Will you just listen to me', she then proceeded to start to tell me about how a diet should be for a diabetic, and even showed me pictures - I sat there patiently saying 'yes' - I cannot tell how patronising she was, making feel like I was a complete incompetent with no knowledge of the disease :evil: . I just sat there trying to keep my cool saying 'Yes' and 'I know' etc in a bored and resigned voice, and then I had to get weighed she was happy with this, as I lost weight and have never been really overweight. At this point she looked at my files again and said you last results were in February were good (5.7) and that they were lower than the previous, I said 'Yes' that is when I saw my GP, she was not fazed at all - I so wanted to say 'I told you so'. She asked about any problems and I told how tired I get of late, she then set me up for all the tests as described, and started talking quite rationally and pleasantly about my family history of thyroid etc - I said to her 'I am sorry I am not good at listening but I used to be a Lecturer and am more used to talking than listening (truth is she would not listen to me, but I was trying to be pleasant), her attitude changed completely and she stopped talking to as if I was stupid, because through the whole first stage of the check she was talking down to me and I really cannot stand that. My daughter said that they meet so many people who do not trouble to find out about their illness that they assume everyone is the same, but I said 'As Lecturers we are told not to assume all levels of intelligence and learning abilities are the same and shouldn't Doctors and nurses do the same'.

So the long winded answer - sorry for outburst - is that I am completely lost on what type of test this is, and I am really not going back to ask her, I will get the test done and book in to see my GP in three months for my usual check, you know - the one I do not have - deep breathes :-) incidentally my GP is very good at listening and does not treat me as a half wit.

Incidentally, as you may guess, she was totally against self testing telling me that glucose readings need to carried out on my glucose levels over a series of months - or if she had way a year, (again silly me for not knowing that - yeah right!) I asked how I am supposed to know what my glucose is doing on a daily basis, no answer forthcoming just reiteration of the same old, same old!
To cap it all, when I went for flu jab, guess who did mine - you got it, the same practice nurse! Ouch :(

And incidentally - thanks to all for feedback.
 
Blimey.... :shock: I do strongly suggest that you consider 'either' changing practice or ask to see your practice manager and report all of this.
How awful and unsupportive an experience for you this all was.
Good job there IS this forum you can turn too.
We put our lives, health, trust in HCP's it's so sad and maddening to hear stories liks yours. :evil:
 
aana29, gosh - do you really think it was that bad? I thought it was me, to be honest I think I toned down the story a little! I do like my GP though, not sure what to do now. I wanted to tell her about the Diabetes Forum but thought she would tell me off for using that too! I felt like a naughty child, me a 60 year old Grandmother with a career of teaching behind me!!! No matter, if I had no career no one deserves to be treated in such a way, she was officious to the point of rudeness. When I had the flu jab she was charm itself.
 
Hi HpprKM , There are 6 prinicples of care. Privacy, Diginity, Rights, Choices, Independence, Confidentiality.
Every HCP has to act according to each care prinicple.
She failed you in 3 not treating you with dignity, never gave you the right to speak and give your version or angle, plus your choice to be proactive and self test your BG levels.
If I was in your shoes I would make an appointment to see the 'practice manager' and lodge a formal complaint. This will all be documented and recorded, then is presented at the next staff meeting at your practice.
I myself have done this and managed to turn poor DSN care and treatment around into patient led charter care for myself.
You have every right to do this as a patient and as a human being .
Plus once its brought to the practice managers attention it has to be addressed that you insist and expect a more caring positive attitude and approach from the practice nurse
This will ensure you much more pleasant experience's when you next use their services, rather than be too afraid to return.
When it all happened to me I was so stressed out with it all, it wasnt untill I took control and reported my dreadful DSN that my vists to see this particular DSN team manager [who looks after me now] my vists became happier and pleasant experiences.
I reply to you with feeling for you , having gone through something so similar myself.
However you look at it - it was and is unprofessional of her to treat you as she did.
Anna.x :D
 
There must be something in the air. This storyis very similar to the experience I had a week or so ago - only mine was over the phone with one of the Pracice nurses riding roughshod over the appointments I had already made abnd insising that I had to have a review with a nurse in the "review clinic2 before each of my 3 monthly HBA1Cs . I don't believe her but because she had already cancelled the blood test I had to le her reschedule it.
I had made an appointment for the flu jab to be done after the HBA!c lest i was ill with it as I was last year. I also wantefd the results before I spoke to someone about my medication and also before I had my next appointment at the eye clinic. None of his will happen now because he results won't be back in ttime. I cancelled my appointment for the flu jab because i couldn't have the blood test and now face spending hours in a crowded hospital dept without having had it.

I too, am always very meticulous about keeping appointments and doing as requested. t More efficient than my practice apparently.
I see the DSN on Tuesday. If by some strange chance my bp is too high I shall nknow why. I intend to complain to her about her colleague . I am sure she is wrong - I have been arranging these tesd for years.

perhaps the Educators should sart with the Practice Nurses. if hey change their systems maybe they should inform the patients.
I still can't believe it. It has been 61 yeaars since anyone spoke to me as if I were a 3year old. I didn't complain then because I was 3 years old!

I am sure it is correc that many HCPs are not used to patients who are proactive and think for themselves.
This is not necessarily the fault of hese patients. They may be too old or two sick with multiple complaints to be able to figh back,

The only time my DSN and I have ever agreed was when she said that you have to be really fit in order to be ill.
This was after I told her that I had had to argue with the surgeon at the door of the theatre because he was intent on performing the wrong pracedure - not having bothere to read he notes.
 
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