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NHS Direct doctor says... NO testing when taking Metformin
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<blockquote data-quote="999sugarbabe" data-source="post: 856595"><p>Update to my original posting.</p><p></p><p>On 12th May I received a phone call (from either someone at NHS Direct or the doctor's deputising service - I'm not certain which) following up on my complaint. The lady was asking what I wanted to be done. I requested the doctor be spoken to about his "bedside manner / telephone etiquette". The lady also requested my permission to refer to the original recording they made at the time of my call to 111, to which I agreed.</p><p>I am not expecting to hear back from her.</p><p></p><p>Whatever happens, I shall continue doing what works for me, i.e. testing my blood once a day, first thing after getting up. </p><p></p><p>As I buy my own strips (since my G.P. stopped prescribing them) I can continue to build up a reliable reference as to any changes in my condition, or any trend developing over time. I do not consider one single test once a year to be adequate. A LOT can happen in a few days, or less, so just imagine what could happen in a year!</p><p></p><p>I also continue to monitor my own B.P. daily (using a electronic sphygmomanometer I bought myself when I started having health problems).</p><p></p><p>The information I get will continue to help ME monitor MY health, even if the medical profession don't consider it necessary. It won't be the doctor losing a limb or two through circulation problems, or having a stroke, heart attack or going blind, will it! </p><p>It also gives me ammunition when going to see the doctors. I can show PROOF if they don't want to take my word for it.</p><p></p><p>With my increasing shortage of breath I purchased my own pulse oximeter. This has been a boon. It is a reliable means of knowing just how much oxygen is getting through my system when I feel like I'm being smothered by a wet flannel.</p><p></p><p>On several occasions over the last couple of years I've been able to provide a print out or photograph showing my high B.P. or erratic mmol/l readings, and even my pulse oximeter readings. That is usually enough to get the doctors to take me seriously!</p><p></p><p>With the use of available technology, I've even been able to confirm, for myself, that I have sleep apnoea - without the need of bothering the health service!</p><p>I had suspected this for some time; so, using a night vision CCTV camera (recording my movement in bed during the night) it clearly shows me becoming restless then sufficiently agitated to wake myself whilst struggling to get air. Each time it happens a quick check confirms a dangerously low blood oxygen level. Whilst useful information for me, I doubt I'll bother even seeing the doctor about it. </p><p></p><p>Armed with the necessary proof I suppose most people would be telling the doctor and getting treatment. I on the other hand won't be bothering. </p><p>But, the whole point is - KNOWLEDGE <u>can</u> <u>save</u> <u>lives</u>. Without the means to test thoroughly medical conditions can develop unseen, often until it is too late to act on.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="999sugarbabe, post: 856595"] Update to my original posting. On 12th May I received a phone call (from either someone at NHS Direct or the doctor's deputising service - I'm not certain which) following up on my complaint. The lady was asking what I wanted to be done. I requested the doctor be spoken to about his "bedside manner / telephone etiquette". The lady also requested my permission to refer to the original recording they made at the time of my call to 111, to which I agreed. I am not expecting to hear back from her. Whatever happens, I shall continue doing what works for me, i.e. testing my blood once a day, first thing after getting up. As I buy my own strips (since my G.P. stopped prescribing them) I can continue to build up a reliable reference as to any changes in my condition, or any trend developing over time. I do not consider one single test once a year to be adequate. A LOT can happen in a few days, or less, so just imagine what could happen in a year! I also continue to monitor my own B.P. daily (using a electronic sphygmomanometer I bought myself when I started having health problems). The information I get will continue to help ME monitor MY health, even if the medical profession don't consider it necessary. It won't be the doctor losing a limb or two through circulation problems, or having a stroke, heart attack or going blind, will it! It also gives me ammunition when going to see the doctors. I can show PROOF if they don't want to take my word for it. With my increasing shortage of breath I purchased my own pulse oximeter. This has been a boon. It is a reliable means of knowing just how much oxygen is getting through my system when I feel like I'm being smothered by a wet flannel. On several occasions over the last couple of years I've been able to provide a print out or photograph showing my high B.P. or erratic mmol/l readings, and even my pulse oximeter readings. That is usually enough to get the doctors to take me seriously! With the use of available technology, I've even been able to confirm, for myself, that I have sleep apnoea - without the need of bothering the health service! I had suspected this for some time; so, using a night vision CCTV camera (recording my movement in bed during the night) it clearly shows me becoming restless then sufficiently agitated to wake myself whilst struggling to get air. Each time it happens a quick check confirms a dangerously low blood oxygen level. Whilst useful information for me, I doubt I'll bother even seeing the doctor about it. Armed with the necessary proof I suppose most people would be telling the doctor and getting treatment. I on the other hand won't be bothering. But, the whole point is - KNOWLEDGE [U]can[/U] [U]save[/U] [U]lives[/U]. Without the means to test thoroughly medical conditions can develop unseen, often until it is too late to act on. [/QUOTE]
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