Will my doctor have my medical records of 40+ years ago?

thorsoak

I had a threatened miscarriage over 40 years ago, when carrying my DD. I was prescribed bed rest for about 4 weeks and fortunately, carried DD to full term. She is now a happy healthy mum of 2 teenagers.

Yesterday I read about the raised threat of cancer to women of 40+ whose mothers had taken a drug to prevent miscarriage. This drug ws prescribed until 1971 and my experience was in 1968.

Now I cannot remember whether I had to take any drugs or not during my threatened misc, but I really want to know, in order to give a "heads up" to my DD to make sure she gets any necessary scans (she doesn't live in the UK).

Will my present doctor have my records going back to 1968, or will she be able to access them?

Hanging_by_a_thread

I was always under the impression that medical records go back to your birth. So any medication and treatments would be recorded. As this seems to be an important issue I would phone your surgery and ask them to check. Hope all will be okay.

Torry_Quine

Is this article of any use?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/thousands-of-women-could-be-at-risk-from-silent-thalidomide-6292889.html

caeler

I thought medical records had to be kept until a few years after your death. if you've moved around they might be harder to locate. Start with calling your GP's surgery and see what they suggest. If your daughter has had a recent clear smear test that might give you and her peace of mind.

thorsoak

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Is this article of any use?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/thousands-of-women-could-be-at-risk-from-silent-thalidomide-6292889.html

Thank you - it was this article that brought this potential problem into focus for me - I'm not at home at the moment but when I get home next week, I'll contact my surgery.

My DD does have regular smear tests, but not mammograms at the moment - once we have this information, she can take this forward.

This could also be a potential problem for DGD (nlw 13) - but forewarned is forearmed!

t0rt0ise

My doctor doesn't have my records from my last address just 18 months ago never mind 40 years ago. But it's worth a try. I understand your worry. I was prescribed something for morning sickness in my first pregnancy but finding it difficult to swallow tablets I never took them. Later I heard that there was a query as to whether they've caused harm to the babies. I don't even remember what they were now but it would have been a terrible worry if I hadn't have been such a woos not to be able to take tablets.

Torry_Quine

t0rt0ise wrote: »

My doctor doesn't have my records from my last address just 18 months ago never mind 40 years ago. But it's worth a try. I understand your worry. I was prescribed something for morning sickness in my first pregnancy but finding it difficult to swallow tablets I never took them. Later I heard that there was a query as to whether they've caused harm to the babies. I don't even remember what they were now but it would have been a terrible worry if I hadn't have been such a woos not to be able to take tablets.

Normally when you register with a new GP then your records are moved from the old to new GP and this happens no matter how many times.

meritaten

[QUOTE=t0rt0ise;50460091]My doctor doesn't have my records from my last address just 18 months ago never mind 40 years ago. But it's worth a try. I understand your worry. I was prescribed something for morning sickness in my first pregnancy but finding it difficult to swallow tablets I never took them. Later I heard that there was a query as to whether they've caused harm to the babies. I don't even remember what they were now but it would have been a terrible worry if I hadn't have been such a woos not to be able to take tablets.[/QUOTE]

Thats worrying hun - your new GP is prescribing for you 'blind'! never mind not knowing your medical history! I would be urging them to locate your medical records ASAP.

t0rt0ise

meritaten wrote: »

Thats worrying hun - your new GP is prescribing for you 'blind'! never mind not knowing your medical history! I would be urging them to locate your medical records ASAP.

I actually know more about my various conditions than the doctors so it's not a problem for me (I have a rare blood disorder that GPs know little about) but it does highlight the problem that could exist for others.

jackyann

Yes, all medical records are kept (that doesn't mean some don't go astray.......). You have the right to see a copy of them, and the surgery has the right to charge you for the time & cost of the copying. However, what I would do in this case, is to write to your GP explaining your reason for wanting the information and ask for the best way to find it.
That way you don't put them on the spot during an appointment, trying to ferret through the old "Lloyd George" notes for the card from so long ago! They can sort out the information properly for you without copying loads of other stuff.
I was a nurse during that time and remember the drug being used, so I think you are quite right to find out what you can.

meritaten

t0rt0ise wrote: »

I actually know more about my various conditions than the doctors so it's not a problem for me (I have a rare blood disorder that GPs know little about) but it does highlight the problem that could exist for others.

well, thats ok as long as you are compos mentis - if you were concussed or confused or unconscious - how would YOU knowing more than your GP help you?