Very VERY angry with my GP!

[Weegiemum]

And I'm married to another one, so I am usually very sympathetic .....

For several years I suffered from recurrent kidney stones. Haven't had any for over a year, until last week, when I got a UTI, it travelled to my kidney and I have passed several stones this last week - also one today, still in there.

I have to admit that I have not always dealt with this well - I once took some medication from my husband's bag to try to deal with the pain and ended up in court when I confessed about it - got a probation order, which I served no bother and have never illegelly taken anything since (this was 4 years ago)

Today I went to the GP to ask about pain releif - looking for something like 30/500 co-codamol, tramadol if they were happy.

Instead, the doctor asked me what illegal drugs I was taking, wanted to refer me to the drug services locally, suggested that the vomiting in pain I was doing (in the surgery) was actually withdrawal, and said that they could not treat me.

I have NEVER taken an illegal drug. I am not a drug addict - I have occasional episodes of intense pain which are followed by me passing a kidney stone, which can be seen and sent to be analysed to prove it is a kidney stone.

I have seen a psychiatrist (for the court) who was convinced that I don't have a drug problem. I have provided numerous urine samples (witnessed - now thats a humiliating experience) to prove I am not addicted to anything. I've taken nothing stronger that normal OTC co-codamol for 4 years! (except when I was in hospital - and a scan showed stones!).

We moved house 2 years ago and I haven't had to see the GP in all this time - the one time I was in serious pain, I went to casualty and was admitted. So my new GP has never dealt with my stones and is making huge assumptions based on my notes which are out of date now.

I'm furious. My dh is furious. I am going to have to change doctors again, and that won't look good, but I cant walk back in there ever again, not for a sore throat or an infected toenail. He was very stroppy, very rude, incredibly arrogant, totally dismissive.

I don't even have the energy to complain.

Please tell me I'm not being ridiculous to be upset by this. I know I will always have to live with the consequences of my crime, but I feel I am being actively punished for it, and I am in a LOT of pain.

[themoon66]

Gosh. Don't know what to say really. How bloody unfair

[Lazarou]

How about ordering things online where you dont need a prescription?

[nervousal]

Of course YANBU to be upset by this. Although you say you don't have the energy now to complain hopefully you will be up to complaining at some point. How dare a GP make an assumption about illegal drug use with NO evidence to back it up. Did you ask him why he thought you had a drug problem?

[hf128219]

Some GPs are like that - terrible. If you keep (general) good health I would just stick with them. I mean you don't have to go to the GP for a sore throat etc.

Complain!

[Weegiemum]

It was because I vomited at the surgery.

It is a symptom of extremem pain - also of withdrawal. He chose to think it was withdrawal.

[tiggerlovestobounce]

How difficult for you. I suppose given the past it will be something that they think about.
Could you maybe get a referral for the kidney stones, and then maybe be prescribed pain relief as part of that (or even get the stones treated?

[snowleopard]

That's outrageous. I think you were unbelievably harshly punished for what was a very minor thing in the first place - if you can't put that behind you what hope is there for actual offenders and drug users who want to be healthy? Appalling attitude from the GP, absolutely foul. I'm sure you can find a nice sympathetic GP if you keep trying - it's worth it.

[Weegiemum]

The stones are untreatable - loads of little ones that just have to pass. I have had a stent in twice for them, to help the pass more easily, but I dont tolerate it well and the last one damaged my bladder adn I was temporarily incontinent - not nice,

Hospital consultant s have been very loathe to prescribe for at home - they have said it is the GPs job. GPs say I need to see the consultant,

I accepted a new referral today, but it will take 6 weeks.

After many many admissions for stones since I was pregnany with ds, I have developed a phobia about hospital and the mere thought of it has me in a cold sweat, though I would go if I couldnt cope.

I hate this. I loved my old GP, who gave me painkillers when I needed them and was really sympathetic. this guy is a monster. SO RUDE!

[Weegiemum]

I wish my lovely dh could be my GP as he is nice - but no can do, its not ethical.

I envy his patients!

[DaisySteiner]

Could you get your dh to come with you to the GP's - I bet he'd be a bit more sympathetic then! Or does your dh have a partner who you could see?

[DaisySteiner]

Shocked that you could get into so much trouble for taking stuff from your dh's bag!

[gingerninja]

Can your DH go to an appoint with you? Impossible probably because of his work commitments but perhaps if the arrogant arse you saw had a professional in front of him maybe he'd react differently.

plus, i would complain

[Weegiemum]

well, what I took was 'controlled' - morphine. So when I admitted it they had to go to the police - dh was mortified, and there was nothing but to prosecute. He was so nice about it.

I can't sign on with his partner - families can't be in the same practice as a family member.

Can't take dh to the GP with me - Gp kind of suggested that dh was supplying me, which made me very angry. Would only have to look at the controlled drug book in his practice to see that this is not happening!

[onepieceoflollipop]

Oh Weegiemum that is awful, you have been treated badly. Would another GP at your current practice be more reasonable?

Hope you are soon feeling much better. You must have been extremely desperate 4 years ago.

I have a lot of respect for the fact you and your dh owned up and it was all dealt with at the time. No need to judge you for it now.

[Weegiemum]

I can't see another GP at the practice as apparantly they had a meeting about me when I signed on and decided if I ever came in they were not giving me painkillers.

I have a freind who is a GP locally, I wouldn't see her and put her in an awkward position, but am going to ask her where woudl be a good place to join, as she will know better than me the reputations of local GPs who might be willing to treat me for pain.

[AtheneNoctua]

What an arse! I would definately go find another GP and then file a complaint. Alternatively, you might want to check out e-med.co.uk where you can get a private referal/prescrition.

And,poor you. The stones sound awful. Never had them myself. So don't really know.

[edam]

What a twonk - GP that is.

There must be other practices or other partners in that practice?

So sorry about the kidney stones, I've heard the line that they can be worse than childbirth. (And you are in a position to know if that's true!)

[AtheneNoctua]

I just read your profile, and I must say you really do sound like a potential addict. I mean they are all over the place in the clergy, right?

[edam]

Oh FFS, surely they can't have a no painkillers policy? What if you had (God forbid) cancer? Or broke your leg? Are you never allowed to be ill again?

[Weegiemum]

Mumsnet is wonderful!

I was worried you were all going to say "well you brough it on yourself" and "how could you have been so stupid"

Kidney stones are as painful as childbirth, but you only get a teeny stone to take home, not a baby!

Thankyou for supporting me. I know I was a total tit 4 years ago, but I really have been a good girl since!

[missorinoco]

this sounds ridiculous. they will never give you painkillers? they have decided this as a practice? i was also going to suggest you try another gp, but on that basis take your services elsewhere and complain, both about the gp and the blanket rule.

[missorinoco]

to clarify, ridiculous on their part, not your.

[Weegiemum]

They will never give me painkillers for Kidney stones - as they are assuming I am making it up (was accused of this once in hospital - its quite common apparantly for addicts to use it as an excuse - I didn't know that. backtracked quickly when they saw the scan of my kidneys).

I presume if I had another painful condition they would agree. Not sure though - feel like I cant trust them.

[tiggerlovestobounce]

What about asking for referral to your local Pain clinic? They might be able to recommend something with less potential for abuse, so that your GP feels more comfortale with it, or even if all they can do is endorse your need for pain killers then your GPs may be happier.

[Weegiemum]

Hadn't thought of that Tigger. It might well be worthwhile. Had great results in my previous area with the pain specialist - it had totally slipped my mind. thankyou!