"Frustration"

I am so frustrated with the way the medical establishment (NHS) treats people who are older and have chronic conditions.  

I get a scheduled call from the  nurse at my surgery and even though I am medically trained they proceeded to go over my meds and warn me about side effects that I am already aware of, go over my diet and remind me that a piece of cheese should not be bigger than a matchbox and softer cheeses are better, asks why I haven't had my feet looked at (perhaps because there is nothing wrong with them?  no callouses, no ulcers, etc because I am on top of them daily), tells me my cholesterol is higher than is should be (causal link has yet to be proven for heart disease and cholesterol seems to be protective for post menopausal women according to the rare studies done on women), try to get me to go on the NHS shakes and soups diet to 'put the diabetes into remission' (800 kcals a day - not real food, and sooner or later you have to rejoin the real world.  My research indicates that only about 2% of people who do this diet remain in remission). 

They carried on about obvious things and making comments I found condescending.  I said they were  treating by policy and the multiple problems I have do not fit into 'average.' They kept on talking to me and I felt I was being treated like an idiot and didn't know/understand anything. 

I told her if they wanted to check my feet to make sure they were still attached I would come in but I work full-time and it would be after hours.  They then offer me an appointment on a weekday morning  - obviously not listening or didn't care that I will have to take time off work at their bidding again.  Finally get an evening appointment for but it really annoys me that I am not being listened to.  

Last year one of the chemists at the surgery asked if I was struggling to get my tablets out of the blister packs.  Ok, so I am in my sixties, but I am not infirm or senile and can figure out my tablets.  When I am obviously incapable, then you can talk to me in that sugary condescending way because I will be too far gone to care.  But I'm not there yet.   

The bottom line is that when I need them, they don't appear to be bothered for weeks; but when they want me to come in for something stupid (likely because they are getting audited I believe) they get all pushy.  And overarching all of this is the sugary condescending attitude you would have with a truculent toddler.  

Sick to death of it.  If I had my own lab and prescription pad, they would never see me as I can take care of myself.  But I have to suck it up and deal with them because I have chronic conditions and don't have a choice.  There is only 1 GP that I don't mind seeing and that is because they talk to me like an equal and I feel I can discuss options with them instead of being forced down some pathway. I wish the others would partner with me in my health care.  After all, it is my body.