As some of you know, during the pandemic, when there were no blood phials in the UK, I had my blood test in Cyprus. It was discovered that I was dangerously low in Potassium. I informed my UK GP. I heard nothing and today went for my yearly test, which I had booked myself.
I asked the nurse, if the surgery had stopped reminding patients, when their regular test was due.
Well, why do you have a regular test she asked. Because I am on an anti coagulant and diuretic, I answered. I'm glad you told me that, she replied!
Do I have faith in the system? No more.
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Barb1
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Crikey! Dangerously Low Potassium and your GP did not react? Iwould have taken myself off to Aand E.AsI understand it.....I am not a medic......that would need fairly swift action to correct it.
I’ve just moved & changed surgery and the first thing the new surgery did was Blood Tests - have to say very comprehensive- followed by : by Face to Face Medication review with GP for both my husband.
Now can either of us get our Pacemakers checked - been trying for 3 months - not a hope of even a reply until at least end of August. 🤷♂️🙆♀️
When I moved I asked the pacemaker clinic I was attending to refer me to a hospital in the city I'm now in, ( I did this before I moved). They did this and also made me a future appointment,(to be cancelled if not needed), with them, in case paperwork etc got lost, or new hospital didn't contact me. It all worked well.
I tried to do that - didn’t work unfortunately. I have to wait for a referral to cardiology which then will refer to PM clinic. Thankfully my old clinic is monitoring through a smart phone app so I don’t need to physically see anyone for another 5 months. Thank goodness for the tech!
I don’t see anyone in person anymore. I do a 6 monthly transmit over the airwaves (download/ upload?)to pacemaker clinic. I will be contacted if anything amiss I also don’t have a cardiologist.
Welcome to the 'New Normal'. You have to push, push, push, devise early action strategies, do a lot more research yourself, question and remind all medics.....as diplomatically as you can. Thank goodness for this Forum, becoming more valuable by the day!
I had to ask my gp's surgery for my annual bloods (due in May) which I had yesterday. After the blood was taken I lay on the bed for an ECG and as the hca was attaching the leads she noticed that I was bleeding onto the bed. Are you on anti coagulants she asked me? Well yes, for the last 9 years. I was told off for not telling her and not wearing an alert bracelet etc etc. I told her I carry a warning card on the back of my phone but had left my phone in the car as I hadn't anticipated needing it during my visit to the surgery, but that wasn't good enough for her.
Then (both of )the ECG machine(s) didn't work and she said - it's flatlining, you're dead! Three times she tried, checking the leads, asking if I had body cream etc, calling another nurse. Then she gave up and said to rebook my appointment at their other surgery.
Then she said oh I think I need some more blood from you, I've just seen another test needs doing, oh no, they can take it out of that vial.
Wow! I’m feeling spoilt because I get blood tests once a month. I find it a little over the top and I often feel like a pin cushion. Is it that time again? A month can pass so quickly it sometimes seems like a weekly thing, but in hindsight I should consider myself one of the lucky ones.
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