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.
Written by
Barb1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
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.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.