Emergency doctors appointment or not?

[spacecadet1]

Hi, hoping someone can help me. I'm showing all the symptoms of having an overactive thyroid & have been feeling rotten (more than usual) since last week & losing weight even though I'm still eating.

I obviously need to get to the docs for a chat & a blood test & was just wondering (knowing how long it usually takes to get a normal appointment) should I call up tomorrow & get a same day appointment. I've never used up an 'emergency' appointment for myself before but am starting to get quite panicky & don't think I can wait a couple of weeks to get a regular appointment & then wait for bloods on top of that.

So basically what I'm asking is do you think it's ok to get an appointment asap & try to get this sorted or will the doc frown on me for this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

have also posted on health board!

Oh lol.

I didn't say he was under investigation currently, I said that he had been. See below for current restrictions on his practice.

Interesting to note that my "libel" wasn't the first.

"1. He must notify the GMC promptly of any post he accepts for which registration with the GMC is required and provide the GMC with the contact details of his employer.

1. He must allow the GMC to exchange information with his employer, or any organisation for which he provides medical services.

1. He must inform the GMC of any formal disciplinary proceedings taken against him, from the date of this determination.

1. He must inform the GMC if he applies for employment outside the UK.

1. He must only accept new patients for endocrine treatment if they have been referred to him by a fully registered medical practitioner. On a six monthly basis, he must provide to the GMC anonymised copies of patients' referral letters in a separate, paginated and indexed bundle (patients being identified by initials and NHS number).

1. Prior to initiating or varying any treatment regime, he must ensure that he has communicated his diagnosis and suggested care plan to the patient, his or her GP, and any other referring medical practitioner. On a six monthly basis, he must provide to the GMC copies of the letters sent to GPs or referring medical practitioners in a separate, paginated and indexed bundle (patients being identified by initials and NHS number).

1. He must keep a contemporaneous logbook of all patients seen in relation to work carried out as a registered medical practitioner. This book must identify the patient only by their initials and NHS number and the name and contact number of the referring practitioner, and should be initialled and dated by the patient. The logbook must indicate: - in the case of a new patient, the reason for the consultation; - in the case of all patients, the reason for any prescribing outside of UK recommended guidelines. On a six monthly basis, he must provide the GMC with a copy of the logbook.

1. He must inform the following parties that his registration is subject to the conditions, listed at (1) to (7), above: a. Any organisation or person employing or contracting with him to undertake medical work; b. Any locum agency or out-of-hours service he is registered with or applies to be registered with (at the time of application); c. Any prospective employer (at the time of application)."

Blimey didn't mean to cause a ruck on here with the dr's & I'm certainly not trying to self diagnose but as most people probably do, I looked at google & have most of the symptoms (including I think vitiligo & the 2 can be linked)& like 4plus1 says it's easier said than done not to panic & get more anxious.

Maybe our dr's (like some others on here) don't treat same day cases as an emergency (which is always what the receptionists say ) & I just wanted to try to get an appointment asap & not in a couple of weeks I'm at work today & there's no way I can get in so will phone up later to see when the earliest appointment I can get is (without taking up 'emergency' appointments).

4plus1 thanks for what you wrote, I have written everything down for when I get to see someone, did you do the same before you were diagnosed? It does make sense that you get more anxious with hyper (heart beating fast at the mo!) so I will attempt to relax as much as poss.

Brass yes been reassured & will get normal appointment & Leonie good tip about what to do if you have a blood test - will try to book one as early as poss!

Thanks again everyone

hope you get sorted soon sounds worrying.

Enjoy your sort-of-legal speed.

Leonie, given the concerns around your private doctor, would you not consider getting a second opinion?

SpaceCadet1 - to answer you PO. Yes you should make an appointment asap but its not an emergency so to speak. When you have your appointment you can ask if its likly to be a thyroid problem then.

Leonie and Bruxeur. This is not the thread to be arguing over whether or not a DR is competent or not.

Well after all that deliberating over taking an age to get an appointment have managed to get a cancellation for tomorrow morning (just asked for an appointment now one as soon as poss & lucky I guess) so will post back & let you know what the doc says.

Thanks everyone.

OP not PO

• should be 'not' not 'now'!

Good Job!! Spacecadet.

In 9 years you've not discussed this with any other doctor, than Dr S? It might be a very good idea to get a second opinion.

"Healthy" is subjective, I thought I was healthy until my anaemia was treated, then I felt much, much healthier.

I don't know if you are still breastfeeding, but you say "my TSH is permanently < 0.01 "

From here:
www.thyroid-info.com/articles/breastfeeding.htm

"If too much thyroid hormone is being taken and levels become hyperthyroid, then thyroid hormone can pass into the breastmilk. For this reason, if you are a nursing mother on thyroid hormone, you must take medication exactly as prescribed by a physician. The period following delivery is one where thyroid levels can fluctuate, so frequent testing is very important, because your dosage and TSH level may be just right three months post-partum, but three months later, the same dosage could be making you hyperthyroid. So, plan to get blood levels drawn frequently (i.e., every three months) as long as you are nursing your baby. "

I'm not sure treating depression with thyroid hormones is ethical either, tbh.

Whoever said GP's are human and make mistakes is right. Other members of the Medical profession too. So far this year I have lost sist to undiagonosed cancer. The postmortom showed he was riddled with it. Now mum has been told there is nothing doctors can do. Too weak for op. Her heart is so badly damaged by rheumatic fever. Clearly this damage has developed slowly over the years but it was never spotted. Despite loads of tests, visits to GP's etc. In fact one of the GP's at mums practice have admitted she was neglected.

As another poster has said people in all professions make mistakes but for doctors the price is so high.

Hi have you seen your Gp yet? There are other reasons for weight loss and feeling terrible - your GP or Nurse Practioner will assess you and order all the investigations required. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with you asking for a same day appointment.

Wow. Those are not 'mickeymouse sanctions'. There are clearly some serious concerns there.

Hope you get on ok at the doctor and get some help, OP.

Leonie - we did not miss it. Have you discussed the medication, at the levels you are currently on, in the context of pregnancy and breastfeeding, with anyone other than Dr S?

The concern would be that these meds could be passing into your breastmilk and affecting your DC developmentally. As far as I am aware, Dr S does not claim to be an expert on breastfeeding! There would be reason to get a second opinion with those TSH levels, even if your private doctor was not under sanctions for malpractice. As has been pointed out by pumpkin28 and others, doctors make mistakes.

Leonie of course not I was not suggesting that your medication has made your daughter autistic - I was not even aware she was. Given that she does have developmental problems, and you are currently breastfeeding, it may be very important to get a second opinion on this - in relation to the breastfeeding aspect, I understand that you are happy with the effects of this medication on you.

Re. Sanctions on Dr S, this is why:

webcache.gmc-uk.org/minutesfiles/Skinner%20%28MP%29%2011Nov07%20PUBLIC%20ANON.htm

"A question of impaired fitness to practise is likely to arise if:

        - a doctor's performance has harmed patients or put patients at risk of harm;

        - a doctor has shown deliberate or reckless disregard of clinical responsibilities towards patients.

y its findings, the Panel consider that your actions have been in breach of both of these principles.

In all the circumstances, the Panel has determined that, in accordance with section 35C(2)(a) and (b) of the Medical Act, 1983, as amended, your fitness to practise is impaired by reason of your misconduct and your deficient professional performance.

"

"