health records and what you may find in them.

[Janinit]

I decided to get my health records last October. They costs me £50 but were an eye opener. I discovered whilst reading them that in 1984 I was sent home from work with vertigo. I remember it because it had been going on for weeks dizzy spells and unsteady in my walking I eventually caused major concern by dropping to the floor in a disoriented state unable to say what had caused it.. My GP at the time a lovely lady doctor took bloods and sent me to a consultant who had a chat and examined my reflexes then said he thought that it was viral and would clear up. His letter to my GP however stated that although my thyroid bloods were within normal range he noted that my palms were clammy and I was very thin although I had no head nodding whatever that means he thought that I might be hyperthyroid but would wait and see what happens as it might resolve. Unfortunately I was not told this and shortly after my GP left the surgery. I was thirty five and it would be another fifteen years and many serious health problems before I was finally diagnosed and had RAI treatment to destroy my poor thyroid. Since I was over 45 I was not given the option of surgery. It makes my blood boil as it all could have been so very different if people only learned the value of good communication…..

[debjs]

Poor thing. This makes me very cross particularly as I have worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years and being on the receving end had been a scary experience. I have just received my records after too paying the £50. Havent had the courage to look yet as not sure what I might find! Thanks for the warning.

[JLTsirius]

Hi Both

did you just order your records from your GP practice?

Thanks

JLTsirius

[Janinit]

Thanks debjs and JL you have to get in touch with your hospital records department to get them. It is a bit awkward as you have to tell them what you want which might be cheaper but I just got all of them as I wasn't sure what I wanted. If you want to see your GP practice notes then that shouldn't cost anything as far as I know........ I don't feel sorry for myself only puzzled and annoyed as what is done is done but I can't understand why doctors can't just say what they think to the patient. I am an adult and quite able to make judgements about my own health and if I had been told at that time that my thyroid was in question I would have made decisions later which might have been different when I was diagnosed with CFS..... I hope this helps....

[Jackie]

Hi This is so common that when ever i see a new consultant at a very good hospital , they ask for my notes as say the GP`s are always useless. The same when I go into hospital ,every month or two. At some hospitals when they do not do that my records have caused wrong and dangerous treatment. I found recently that my GP was told in 1982 that I had a endocrine problem. Nothing was done and of course no copies of letters in those days. , so I never knew.Years later I had a terrible time getting treatment and all in my notes disregarded completely and I never knew. It could have made such a difference to my life and my children`s

I take a proper print out from my Pc. with me always.

Jackie

[twinks]

I've got an vary that mysteriously grew back after an operation to remove it. Lol and also someone else's record of a kidney prob they had.

[Hidden]

I suspect mine will be full of errors too. (I have had copes of some stuiff in the past, but certainly not all of it)

To illustrate, I have recently seen a Consultant who I was very pleased to find sent out copies of his correspondence to my GP direct to me, the patient too - I all for that, itcan oly be a good thing - but the problem was, it was a MASS of mistakes - I was even the wrong sex, and most of what I had said had been misinterpreted!

OK, I have had it corrected, but left suspecting it's not the only errors

[Janinit]

Thanks everybody. Your comments are an eye opener no really bad actually. Janet x

[onhereagain]

Very interesting I have never asked for my records but when I changed Dr a couple of years ago I know that everything from birth to about 16 is missing except one letter from the Royal Free not good as had many health problems then and that I had been diagnosed with Fibro nearly 10 years before but GP never told me and ignored this always saying my depression was my problem for everything. It was only when I joined this new surgery and they sent me for tests also found out had underactive thyroid and diabetes

[Janinit]

Thank goodness that you have found a good surgery and the reason for your "depression" and "Fibro". How could your GP not have acknowledged your fibromyalgia.. I hope that you are now getting treatment and feeling better. Can you post your results as I have a couple of friends who have fibro and it would be interesting to compare as for your lost records it makes you wonder sometimes. You could get on to the Royal Free record department and ask them to have a look for you......Best wishes Janet x

[France1]

Two things

Why could you not have the surgery over 45?

Also - just to show how it can be different. In France we keep our own medical records, all scans, x-rays and every time we go for a blood test we are sent the full breakdown within 2 days in the post. All this information is considered to belong to us as the patients. It does mean I need an extra shelf in the office but it avoids there being hidden information.

Best wishes