This story has been published by Healthwatch Oldham on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Any response to this story will be fed back to the individual involved.
I received a phone call from my GP practice to make an appointment for a medication review. I accepted the appointment and the GP told me they thought it wise if I started taking anti-coagulant drugs to thin my blood to prevent a stroke. It was being offered to all patients over the age of 65.
I asked if they were joking as I had a serious blood disorder and did not have enough platelets in my blood as it did not clot properly and I suffered serious bleeding problems.
In 1989 I had my spleen removed and fortunately my platelets are completely normal. The doctor was quite insistent but I refused.
Several days later I received another phone call from the practice to go for an asthma review with the practice nurse. As I suffer from post-traumatic shock and panic attacks due to a very bad experience 16 years ago. I was feeling panicky when I went to see the nurse. The nurse told me my pulse rate was very high and she would let the doctor know.
I then received a phone call to ask me to pick up a letter from the practice, which was a hospital appointment at cardiology two days later, for an ECG. As the nurse said my pulse rate was high I had to see a doctor, who decided to change my heart tablets I have been taking for 30 years to beta blockers which I had been told in the past I could not take because of my asthma. The nurse wanted to admit me but I refused. The nurse also wanted me to take the anti-coagulant drugs which I also refused.
I was then fitted with a heart monitor for 48 hours. Several days later I attended the hospital again and although my pulse rate had gone down a lot the doctor I saw was very aggressive as I refused to take the drugs. The doctor even lied and said I had my spleen removed because I had too many platelets. The doctor became even more aggressive so I asked to check my recent blood test. The doctor checked and said it was completely normal. So why would I need to go on blood thinning drugs? I think this is a very dangerous practice. I have had a discussion with my GP and made it clear that I want treating when I am ill and am not being used to test dangerous drugs and putting my life at risk when I am feeling healthier now than I was 24 years ago when I had to finish work because of my poor health. The doctor has accepted this.
"No respect of a patients decision on treatment"
About: Greater Manchester Greater Manchester Royal Oldham Hospital / Cardiology Royal Oldham Hospital Cardiology OL1 2JH
Posted by Margg5 (as ),
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