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Sick to the back teeth of being asked if I smoke !

J

JMK1954

Well-Known Member
Messages
520
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have just been asked - yet again - if I smoke. Every time I have any contact with my GP practice nurse, I am asked the same question again. I have never smoked, my husband has never smoked, my parents never smoked, my brother and sister have never smoked, my son has never smoked. Am I really the ony one who is fed up with being asked the same question over and over again ? I am now in my mid-sixties and I am beginning to feel this is beyond a joke. Does she think that I will take up smoking in my sixties ? Or does she think I've been lying for years ?

Yes, I know the system demands that my response to the question has to be recorded, but it is driving me up the wall. She has asked me the same question every time she has ever spoken to me. Words fail me.
Just had to have a rant !
 
Perhaps just mention that being asked this question is offending you, it sounds like a standard tick box question like 'units of alcohol' thing.
 
I would just answer the question and move on. I get it with smoking and alcohol, I do neither yet get asked over and over.
 
Out of interest.... Do you smoke?





 
Yes I am sick of being asked that question too. However even worse than that, every time I have had a chest infection or lost my voice I am told that's because I smoke! Like you I never have
 
Know the feeling. I got asked repeatedly whether I was an alcoholic (also asked again when my husband wasn't in the room in case I was a closet drinker.). I know they have to check with nafld, but sheesh... No. No, I'm not. My doc does all of my checks now, and she doesn't do box ticking. Nice to be taken seriously. But the various nurses and specialists I saw never took no for an answer. You're either patient number so-and-so or a liar, it seems. Still... Best to just get it over with.
 
Oddly enough, I was consistently asked if I had any "performance issues" when I was in my 30s..
"Only we can give you something to help...?"
Cough, thanks but I'm good.

As soon as I hit 40. The Viagra offer was withdrawn by the absense of any more personal matter enquiries...
 
Don't think being asked would bother me, but the notes on a recent consultation said 'Ex smoker smoking cessation advice'. (ex 40+ years). As that didn't happened, I queried it, was told they have to give advice(?). She wouldn't remove it from my record. There must be money involved somewhere.
 
The NHS is all about tick-boxes and less about actually treating the problem. Your GP is obviously not reading your data properly before the appointment as all this info is recorded on the surgery system. BTW avoid calling 111 if you can as you will be asked endless tick-box questions before you get to the point and you might die in the meantime!
 
For me, it is "are you pregnant?"
My brain: Do I look pregnant? *feels offended* is it because i'm juicy?
My sarcastic side: My bf hasn't put any buns in the oven yet, maybe ask again in a few months.
Me: Nope.
 
Er @JMK1954

Tell me. Do you smoke?
 
Sometimes that’s the best way.
 
Thanks, people, you've made me feel rather better. I really object to the obsession with box-ticking, but it would be a lot less annoying if the nurse actually recorded some of what I say, so that we don't go through the why I can't take statins, why I can't take ACE inhibitors, why I am still on animal insulin every time I see her as well. Perhaps you can understand why I avoid her like the plague.There is no point in asking questions unless you take some notice of what is said in response.
 
I just checked my medical record on Patient Access.

They log my alcohol consumption on it which is negligible but don’t log smoking history which is 10 in total since the year dot.
 
I get fed up with them wanting to weigh me each and every visit. When I had pneumonia, they wanted to weigh me. When I had an abscess, they wanted to weigh me. When I damaged my finger, they wanted to weigh me.

I just say no. I got bored with making jokes about ho much my lungs or finger weighed and how that might affect treatment.
 
Once I exclaimed “oh not again!” And the nurse said “well we don’t have to” so we didn’t
 
I'm pleased I do not get sick of it when I have to have a ECG done just before I see the Cardiologist.

Edit: Typo
 
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