Share your experiences of long-term condition with CQC - £300 voucher to be won

I currently have a mild problem with psoriasis, with occasional flare ups, though don't consider it to be severe enough to consult our GP currently.

My husband has diabetes, type 2, and has regular checks, although on his last check on his feet he was told he needed no more checks unless he experienced any problems. The checks are now carried out by Virgin for the NHS.

Our son has had Glaucoma for several years, and until recently had 2 checks a year. This was done by the NHS at Specsavers. A great service. However, when he had his last check he was told he would have to go to a local hospital, and also see someone at 'Isight'. Another NHS service farmed out to another company, and definitely not as efficient as previously.

I feel that too many services and health checks are now being passed to other services, which are not as good or reliable as they were previously.

Just realised I have a long-term condition- osteoporosis- diagnosed over 15 years ago after I requested a test because of a family history. Succesfully treated with a change of drugs because of an allergy half way through. Given a drug holiday with calcium and vit D supplements. Last review said bones were almost normal and holiday continues-test in 3 years. Thanks NHS!

My mother had type 2 diabetes (among other things) and when hospitalized I was shocked and annoyed to find that she was given each day refreshments of scones with jam and cream! I mean, she asked for them, having a craving for sugar, but I now realise just how important diet is for all of us and wish she had been given healthy food. Other than that she was well looked after.

I sometimes think doctors should properly review medication regularly and stop some. They should also stop giving out paracetamol and other over the counter pain relief as this must cost the NHS millions of pounds as they won’t be buying it as cheaply as the supermarkets. Also hospital pharmacies should supply medication to patients awaiting discharge far more quickly than they do presently. Waiting for this medication can take several hours when the bed could be used for the next patient What the NHS needs is a supply of sensible older ladies with bags of common sense!!!

I would caution GNetters about putting any information on here which could identify you. My medical data is my own and private, and I certainly would not share it here!

A close friend has suffered for much of his life with diabetes. He's in his 80s. Until recently, he managed independently, going into hospital for dialysis 3 times a week. However, he was admitted to hospital after breaking his leg in a fall and suffered complications, resulting in the amputation of his leg below the knee. Through all of this his NHS treatment has been exemplary. The problem now is that he's unable to return to his flat, needs some form of sheltered accommodation and feels he's being viewed as a bed blocker. He feels as though there's a gap between health and social care and he's fallen into it.

I have high pressure and a heart condition. I have had excellent care and advice from my GP and my local hospital services. Consequently I feel confident and happy living life with my ailments.

Mum mum went into a care home 7 years ago. She had a visual impairment, was diabetic and at that time, angina attacks. She had previously lived in a warden control home. Carers came in several times a day as mum could not see what she was cooking / eating, and was not taking her medications, but this was not enough.

The first five years were fine. Mum developed compression fractures in her spine, and has had morphine patches for some time, which masked other conditions which were not picked up.

The care home manager said if we were not happy with her care to move her, but Social Services would not allow this, and wanted us to work with the care home, despite several alerts to Safeguarding. I could have red flagged the home last year in a meeting with Sageguarding ( which was as a result of a referral from the Social Worker after mum incurred a serious head injury, that they were not aware of) but the care was improving slightly and we knew mum would not survive a move.

So seven years care home costs costing several hundred thousand pounds, and just over a week ago she was admitted to hospital with jaundice. A scan highlighted a mass which they say is cancer. She is now in a hospice and we can’t rate their care highly enough, but we looking at mum passing away sooner rather than later.

I could quote a whole list of failings about the care home, however it gets good reviews and people think it is one of the better care home!

You should not have to visit daily to check on things, but we have been doing this for some time.

Comments from the seniors have included “so that is why she is yellow” when we told them about the jaundice. Another “her urine is dark because she does nor drink enough” but we now know it was the cancerous mass preventing the toxins from the liver not draining.

My experience is don’t put someone in a care home. You are far better to give up work and care for them yourself, and get support in the community. At least that way you will be happy that they are being looked after.

I have a long term condition that, I think, began when I lay down for a rest age 17 and was paralysed when I awoke. I can't remember what the explanation was (but would love to know) bit do remember the 3 months + in hospital. In France I was diagnosed with serious problems with my spine and operated on (about 20 years ago now) yet this country (UK) insist that there is nowt wrong with me that a few classes of Tai Chi wouldn't cure. As far have COPD and osteoporosis and use a wheelchair, I don't see that happening! I am in constant pain, cannot walk and the medications I am on don't work. I am fed up with the wonderful NHS.

I have had a stroke, have type 2 diabetes along with other conditions. Care has been a problem for me in the past . My husband is helpful but it’s not easy for others to understand my limitations. As I look fine

I have 2 long term problems - Depression and Restless Leg. I have medication for both which reduces them to a level I can cope with.

My DH has high blood pressure, controlled by medication, Is deaf and has one useless arm after Polio as a teenager. no treatment as nothing can be done for either of these things. He started to develop Dementia (Mixed Frontal Temporal and Alzheimer's) 4/5 years ago - it is now quite advanced - he is constantly confused and needs help with dressing, toileting, even getting in and out of bed. Once he was given a diagnosis he had 6months of free, once a week care/therapy/assessment, then was discharged from NHS care and was assessed by Social Work as requiring 2 days per week of day care and 6 weeks in residential respite per annum. This has not happened due to lack of availability - He has 1 day per week of 'Day' Care from 10.00 until 15.00 and has had 1 week and 2 long weekends of respite in 15 months. Day Care and Respite must be paid for full rate minus 20% for Free Personal Care as we are in Scotland.

No point in complaining as the Services which are promised are over subscribed and budget cuts, staff shortages, closure of private Care/Nursing Homes mean that they are just not available when required. The burden then falls on elderly spouses and or adult Children to plug the gaping holes. Usually best not to spend emotional and physical energy, fighting the system, simpler, quicker and less stressful just to get on and do it yourself.

I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes 4 years ago. I have no symptoms and keep my BS at a good level with diet. My BP and cholesterol are great. If I went to a new doctor who did not know my circumstances , I would not be diagnosed as diabetic. My own GP says if I continue the way I am ' No further action to be taken '. I realise that if I revert to a 'bad' diet, the diabetes may return. So am I diabetic or not ?

I have Diabetes type 2 which zi take oral medication for and Spinal Stenosis which causes me pain and some problems with walking sometimes but I take no medication for as I have a high pain threshold. With my diabetes I have recently gone on a low carbohydrate diet and have lost a stone in weight so hope my blood sugars will be a lot better at my next check up ( it is already well controlled) and that may have a knock on effect to mobility as well. I would be classed as having two chronic illnesses but certainly don’t need any care at all. I am very independent and still work part time in my 60’s

I have asthma a long term condition and as it is COUGH variant asthma with no WHEEZE and is listed as moderately severe but many health professionals don’t take it seriously. “ you are not wheezing you are ok”
My GP is good, and I try only to see him for my asthma, but feel I’m taking up a lot of his time as my asthma is fairly unstable.

I knew I was ill but had some trouble convincing my GP. I eventually researched all the GPs in the practice and discovered that one has an interest in respiratory medicine. I visited her several times and when I finally told her I was losing weight without trying, her head came up and she decided on a CT scan. All hell broke loose when the results came out and after many tests I was diagnosed with several serious but non contagious lung problems. The treatment and attention I received from the NHS was excellent and I am very grateful.

I know I am reasonably ok at the moment and they have almost lost interest in me. That's fine!

My husband was mistakenly diagnosed with celiac disease in his 20s, and was on a gluten-free diet for 15 years before it was found that he actually had Crohn's disease. Now in his 70s, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease five years ago. We have battled with these difficult conditions for many years, and hope that we can continue to do so without having to resort to specialist care.

I have become breathless - at one point I couldn't have a conversation at all - and could not go on my daily walk. GPs very sympathetic but took a long time to do anything - could be heart or lungs "and we don't know which specialist to refer you to". Finally I had CT scan and other tests and am very lucky to have had several nasty things ruled out. But am still breathless - though less so than before - and have no diagnosis. Will try again with GP.

us lot are independant. there is help out there if you need it. but we tend to bottle things up and smile sweetly and say i'm ok.

My mother had a long term blood condition and her medication needed to be adjusted sometimes. in order to decide about this she needed a blood test every 3 months. My mother was never intimidated by hospitals or medical staff. She grew very tired of making the long journey to hospital and the wait for the blood test just to be told that her medication was fine.She asked and re-asked until the service was changed and her blood test was taken in her own home. She was 90+ at the time, so even the very elderly can ask for improvements.

I have one chronic health condition diagnosed and am in the process of investigations of another. It has taken months and months to get to where I am now with second diagnoses. I am sure NHS Doctors are doing their best but the wait between seeing specialist after specialist is far too long.

My husband has a long term chronic health condition and we have found that we are left to manage it ourselves. How sick people cope without a partner or close relative to steer them through, we really just don't know. Getting medical assistance has proved very, very difficult. I have a couple of long term conditions as listed but need no help at all and I hope to keep it that way. From my experience help is not available anyway.

I also have 3 long term conditions I don’t need any help apart from my meds.

I have around 4 long term conditions, one since my teens but I do not need help in any shape or form at present.

My query was not about how many people in England have a long term condition, but how many in that 15 million actually require care at the moment or in the forseeable future

Three of my family fall in the 15 million, but none of them have conditions that mean they need care now or are likely to need care in the future as a result of their conditions. How many of the 15 million fall in that category.