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AIBU?

to think I shouldn't have needed to ask this GP to take my blood pressure?

15 replies

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 20:11

I'm 28 weeks pg. I've started getting migrianes over the last couple of weeks. I had one last night, and today my vision has been just-not-quite-right. So I thought better safe than sorry and went for a quick check up after work.

It was a locum I'd never met before. I told him about my eyesight and about the migraines. He checked my eyes, and then got the BNF out, had a look, and said I probably shouldn't take anything.

Now that's fair enough. But I spent most of the apt staring at the BP machine next to me on the desk thinking "in a minute...in a minute..". When I realised that no, he wasn't going to check it, I asked him to, saying I'd only worry otherwise. It was fine, which I was expecting (hoping) it to be.

But, surely that is basic pregnancy checkup 101?! It's harmless, takes seconds, and can identify potentially very serious problems. And migrianes and funny vision can be a sign of a high BP (though I do know that migraines alone can just be a nuisance we have to live with, grrr). I had my BP checked last friday at work (by a nurse) but he didn't know that, and didn't ask me when my last MW apt was. That's not recorded on the notes he sees either.

So, AIBU to think it's not the job of the patient to ask to have a basic check done?!

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Olivetti · 02/08/2011 20:39

YANBU,but it's not the end of the world. Not worth working yourself up over it, in any case!
What's wrong with your vision? I got eye complaints in pregnancy, opthalmologist MUCH more useful than GP in my case!
Best of luck with everything.

stoatie · 02/08/2011 20:45

Did he check your urine? Pregnancy can lead to more headaches but as you are aware one of the symptoms of preeclampsia is headache/visual disturbance hence most Drs/midwives would have also checked urine and discussed any other symptoms of PET before a plan of action made,

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 20:49

Nope didn't check my wee. Again, that was checked at work on friday too but he didn't know that. I'm not worked up about it, just a bit concerned that he didn't really seem to treat as "pregnant patient" with migraines, just someone with migraines. I like to think the best of GP's, I wouldn't want their job, but TBH he really didn't seem very good, and at worse could be potentially dangerous!

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 02/08/2011 20:53

Cat - it's good of you to have things checked, but Friday and Tuesday, are you worried about sthg in particular?

Olivetti · 02/08/2011 20:58

Agree with Cristina. I say this kindly, but you do sound VERY worried. I was exactly the same in my pregnancy last year, and got weird vision - convinced myself I had a brain tumour (I didn't, I hasten to add!) and took myself to A and E!! I'm only telling you this to show that I was anxious too - it sounds like you might be worried about something else?

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 20:58

No not really, but I just didn't feel "right" today so thought if I could get a check up then I should. My problem is the fact that he didn't know my BP was ok on friday, nor my urine (and I didn't think of that today, admittedly), and that my sypmtoms could be signs of high BP and pre-ec, but he didn't do the basic checks.
How often would a pg woman go to see a dr or mw and not have their BP checked.
Like I said, isn't it pregnancy checkup 101?!

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acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 20:59

I honestly don;t think I've got a serious condition!!!

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Olivetti · 02/08/2011 21:02

It probably is the most basic check, but at least you got it sorted and you are ok. There's not much more you can do, unless you want to complain to the practice manager.

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 21:05

Part of me is tempted to, as I really do think this should be the first thing they should do to tick it off the list. But the replies on here suggest you guys wouldn't be as surprised as I was that it wasn't done.

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 02/08/2011 21:07

Cat - what would you say? That you had to prompt him to take your BP? That bit isn't recorded in the consultation, all they would see is that your BP was taken. Pick your battles, I'm not convinced this doctor was unsafe.

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 21:18

No I agree, I'm not going to complain. I'm really not that het up about it, honestly. I'm still a little confused though and it seems like a silly omission. Can't help it, sorry!

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 02/08/2011 21:23

It wasn't an omission, though. He did it, just not first thing when you sat down, not at the time you expected. He listened to your story first rather than checked the BP and sent you on your way.

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 21:31

Ahh, but that's the point! He'd finished, he thought I'd finished, he was giving me that expectant " so, is that it now?" look. I asked him to take it once I was sure he wasn't going to do it off his own back, and trust me he wasn't. So yes it's now recorded on my file, but it could easily have not have been.

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Olivetti · 02/08/2011 21:36

Well then, if you're not too het up, and you're not going to complain just mark it down to experience and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! You probably won't see him again.

acatcalledfelix · 02/08/2011 21:46

Ok. I've got an apt next week with my MW. Don't get me started on her....!

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