Who is in charge of my treatment?

[lynbrown]

I go twice a year to my local hospital Diabetic clinic. A year ago, the doctor ( always different ones) changed my insulin to Novomix, a combination of the two I previously took. This has made no difference to my readings (always poor, prone to hypos during the night) and I would like to go back to what I took before, Who sanctions this? The clinic or my GP?

 

[tigger]

Go to your GP and ask to be switched back. Say pretty much what you've said here. Just be firm and reasonable and they should do it. The GP prescribes therefore has immediate power to do something. If they say they need say so from the hospital ask them to get it then and there.

It is worth having a proper discussion with your hospital though and you can insist on seeing the same person to build up a relationship. You just need to wait longer.

 

[Alison Campbell]

As different areas have different programs I would telephone my GP surgery and ask them who you should see in relation to changes to insulin medication. This would save waiting for a GP appointment only to find that they need to refer you to the hospital clinic.

 

[walnut_face]

@lynbrown You do not state where in the world you live. In the UK your HCP's will be guided by directions from NICE. More often than not treatment protocols are price sensitive. In other words if they can find a cheaper medication they will go for it.
In answer to your headline "Who is in charge of my treatment" my answer would be YOU!

I take the view that I am responsible for my health and wellbeing, and will consult with those whose opinion and knowledge I think will help me, and if I don't like what I hear I will ignore it (at my peril perhaps?)

 

[bangkokdiabetic]

I am Tempted to reply You Are its your Body, but the Doctors are not GODS even if they think you are but can refuse to prescribe anything other than what they choose, and can therefor hold you over a barrel so to speak.. Just ask nicely and if you have a problem ask for a second opinion. If refused make sure you can be seen writing the Doctors Name and if askd why Say you want to make sure the Local Paper Spells his name right It Works Wonders. Just seen Walnut Faces post and treat this as an extension

 

[JMK1954]

I asked my last GP to prescribe an insulin I had been on previously. The DSN, who had decided on a new one, had written to the practice informing them of the change a week later, before checking with me that the new one caused no problem. I had kept my old insulin and had reverted to using that before going to the surgery. My GP saw no problem in recording my decision to switch back and continuing to prescribe the insulin I preferred. I then informed the hospital clinic of my decision.

My GP said she could do this because it was a change to insulin I had been on before.

 

[paulus1]

your body you should be in control within reason.

 

[lynbrown]

Lots of helpful advice, thanks.

 

[bigjim19]

if its diabetic related i always ask for the same doctor anything else i just take the first available appointment

 

[mentat]

My personal opinion is that "always poor, prone to hypos during the night" is an unacceptable standard of treatment. There are many insulin options, with varying lengths of action, so there should be a way to prevent the overnight lows. If your clinic is not willing to help, then I would suggest you get informed on your own and then push your GP to try something you think will work better. Although I am not in the UK I have done this in the past between specialist visits.