Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I feel like the GP just doesnt care :-(

41 replies

WobblyWomble · 10/04/2012 19:21

ok i'll try and cut a long story short (apologies if it is long winded)

For 18 months i have had terrible chronic fatigue as well as muscle and joint pain, memory loss and constant infections (water infections, throat, eye cysts etc) and other things.
GP keeps saying i'm depressed because i had PND 5 years ago and then a few months ago i burst in to tears in his room out of sheer frustration and exhaustion.

DP was in the surgery with DS last week and seen a leaflet on the condition Lupus. I've never heared of it before but when he read it, he immeadiatly thought (in his words) Oh My God this is what She (me) has got! he brought home the leaflet, and reading it as well as some online research i think its a possibility that i could have it? i've also reaserched M.E and CFS and they're all simular symtoms. I've already asked GP about CFS etc but he just says NO.

I really dont think i can face the GP again for him to tell me "no its not that blah blah blah"

I feel so isolated, its ruining my life. even the smallest of every tasks leaves me physically drained. i still have plenty of motivation but when i put it into practise eg taking the DC swimming etc i pay for it doubly the next day.

its a small surgery in a large area where its difficult to get an appointment and then you're made to feel unless your dying then they havent got the time to listen to you. I'm wondering if by going private i'll be taken more seriously and actually get answers? the only thing he did was send me for blood tests to see if i was aneamic.

Sorry for it being long and also for any spell errors :-(

OP posts:
Devilforasideboard · 10/04/2012 19:24

Can you go to a different GP? I had CFS in my teens and it was a long road to diagnosis even then. I'm not sure about the mechanics of going private but if it's an option then I'd go for it if I were you.

SparkleSoiree · 10/04/2012 19:26

I am not a medical person in any way and have no clue as to the symptoms of Lupus but I do know that if you are ill for along time and your current GP isn't being proactive in helping identifying the cause then you should really find a different GP. Don't you think?

I would keep going back until he found the cause of the problem or find myself a new surgery. Some GPs are rubbish and really shouldn't be GPs. Some are lovely but they are few and far between.

I really hope you find out soon what is wrong and that you can receive treatement in order to get you fully back on your feet. Smile

mercibucket · 10/04/2012 19:28

I'd suggest changing gp. When you register with the new one, explain the situation and ask for a range of blood tests. Explain that you want to rule out lupus as you are concerned. I'd also suggest a full thyroid panel. Then ask for a printout of all results and post on here as well
Did you check out hypothyroidism as well?

mercibucket · 10/04/2012 19:28

I'd suggest changing gp. When you register with the new one, explain the situation and ask for a range of blood tests. Explain that you want to rule out lupus as you are concerned. I'd also suggest a full thyroid panel. Then ask for a printout of all results and post on here as well
Did you check out hypothyroidism as well?

Original poster
WobblyWomble · 10/04/2012 19:28

I enquired about changing to a different surgery but because i havent been thrown out of mine i can't change?!

my mum said that she'll pay for me to go private so it is an option, but i feel why should i go private because my GP is just un-caring?

Sorry for the rant

x

OP posts:
Kerryblue · 10/04/2012 19:28

Is there any way you could see an alternative GP at your surgery? His 'diagnosis' seems appalling to me. Either that, or yes, if you can afford it, try private because at least then you may get some answers.

My mum, although older than you, has a similar condition, unfortunately has had it for 7 years. It is defined as an 'auto immune disorder' but nobody has ever give it a name as such. She has, however, had every test under the sun!!! Not just a blood test for anaemia!!

Stay strong, and fight for a proper diagnosis. Good luck

Glitterknickaz · 10/04/2012 19:29

Your symptoms could also be something like fibromyalgia. I think a change of GP may help.

Cheeseandbiscuits · 10/04/2012 19:30

See another Gp. You need bloods including an autoimmune screen and ESR. I am a GP by the way.

AThingInYourLife · 10/04/2012 19:30

Have you had your thyroid function checked?

TFTs are a cheap test.

I'm sorry for how you've been treated. I have a very good GP that I have a good relationship with and I still had trouble being taken seriously with similar (less severe) symptoms to you.

There seems to be a worrying complacency when it comes to women who are tired or having trouble with their weight - like you should expect nothing other than to be exhausted and fat as you get older. It drives me nuts Angry :

It's so hard to fight to be taken seriously when you are feeling so tired that doing anything at all feels like an imposition.

You do not need to go private. You are entitled to be taken seriously by your GP. If this GP is not listening, then insist on seeing another at the same practice.

Maybe bring your DH to the appointment to stick up for you if you are being palmed off.

You are their patient. You don't feel well. It is their job (that we are all paying them good money to perform) to find out why.

Original poster
WobblyWomble · 10/04/2012 19:33

i ve never heard of hypthyroidism! the GP is just horrible, he doesnt achknowledge you when you walk in to his room etc and last week i went to see him i had tonsillitis. i said to him i think i have tonsillitis and he said im the doctor i ll do the diagnosing, looked at my throat and said ah yes you have got septic tonsillitis then stretched his arms in the air, yawned and said i'd better give you some anti-biotics then hadnt i...

sorry for slow replies my internet is on a go slow tonight blinking thing

Thanks for all your support everyone, it really means a lot THANKYOU!!!!! :)

OP posts:
AThingInYourLife · 10/04/2012 19:34

And of course you can switch surgeries if you choose. Who told you you couldn't?

loubielou31 · 10/04/2012 19:38

I agree with AThing just go to a different doctors and fill in an enrolment card. Who did tell you you couldn't?

Original poster
WobblyWomble · 10/04/2012 19:42

the surgery i was going to switch to, i am in their catchment area (only just mind)

Again thankyou so much for your messages i feel a little more supported now. i just felt i didnt have the confidence or energy to fight another losing battle with him. he even came up with its winter blues?

i am going to make one final appointment and if he doesnt do something i'll have to see what i can do regarding whats my next step or plan of action!

i know every GP has to start somewhere, and if it comes back fine or clear then move on to the next bit, and the next untill you find answers? i'm not expecting an instant answer but just to feel like he believes me would be a start!

OP posts:
Original poster
WobblyWomble · 10/04/2012 19:43

anyways, i ll keep you updated and let you know how it goes! thankyou again everyone :) xx

OP posts:
SeaweedNK · 10/04/2012 19:45

You are well within your rights to change your registered GP practice whenever you wish. If you need help finding another practice in your local area call your local primary care trust or use www.nhs.uk

When you have identified the practice you want to join, call then and ask how you can register as a new patient. You will be asked to attend the surgery to fill in a form and probably a new patient questionnaire. They will handle the adding you to their patient list and request your notes from your old practice.

If your GP is as crap as he sounds I would change now before the NHS reforms kick in and he is in charge of commissioning almost all NHS services on your behalf.

fedupandtired · 10/04/2012 20:26

I dunno whether it's 'cause I'm a hypochondriac but I suffer with mental health problems and whenever I go to my GP and say I think I've got X I'm always taken seriously and given appropriate tests and referrals which thankfully have always proved negative.

A GP that dismisses you purely 'cause you've suffered with mental health problems at some point (or still do) is a crap GP. Find another one.

Angelico · 10/04/2012 20:29

Second what others say - have a last appointment with GP, if crap move. But I would add - do make a complaint. PLEASE. It is the only way anything changes in NHS (have friends and relatives working in it and they all wish MORE people would complain about the genuinely crap people / policies).

I had very bad glandular fever a few years ago (made worse - ironically - by an idiot GP giving me amoxicillin) and got post-viral fatigue for a few months afterwards. It was like a nightmare - no one can understand unless they've had it so I really do understand OP. The thing that saved me was a lovely GP who helped me a couple of times when I was very low with it and reassured me it WOULD go away which it did after about 5 months. I'm a very happy, highly-motivated person so if a GP had told me I was depressed I would have torn their throat out! It was physical symptoms I had, just as you have. You need to get to the bottom of this and get your life back.

One other thing to check - do you have any mould in your house? I think mould allergy can cause some of those symptoms too, black mould I think it is?

Jusfloatingby · 10/04/2012 20:49

Your GP sounds vile. I had a horrible GP that I dreaded going to. Eventually I changed and am so glad. Seriously, it's important to trust and feel comfortable with your doctor. Get rid of him and move somewhere else.

letsblowthistacostand · 10/04/2012 20:55

Go private if you can! Don't know what it is about some GPs but they can be so unsympathetic. I just had a terrible experience at mine last week but it was the kick in the ass I needed to yell for a private referral (we have insurance). I was seen almost immediately, tests ordered, immediate problem dealt with and aftercare being arranged.

IME private practitioners work with NHS as well & if you find a private specialist you like you might be able to get a referral through your GP.

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 10/04/2012 21:07

Wobbly I have pm'd you.
Please read about Fibromyalgia your symptoms sound almost identical.
It is more likely to be this than lupus.
Sending you a hug.

OldernotWiser47 · 10/04/2012 21:12

just adding- if you do go private, see a Rheumatologist- they deal with CFS/ Lupus/ Fibromyalgia, and will rule out thyroid problems easily

RabbitsMakeBrownEggs · 10/04/2012 21:17

Took me a while to get taken seriously. You have to change GP if you don't get on with yours, I can't tell you how much less stress it is to have someone whose manner I find pleasant, explains things and is thorough.

NearlyMrsCustardsHardHat · 10/04/2012 21:39

Another nod for fibromyalgia here too but as its a last resort diagnosis you have to have had cfs me lupus and rheumatic arthritis ruled out first. Ask for a blood test ask them to check for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and also rule out b12 anemia. Then at the same time stomp your foot and demand a referral to a rheumatologist.

Lizcat · 10/04/2012 21:40

Other possibilities are mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or sjogrens syndrome. I would also suggest another GP my mum was told for 22 years she was depressed until her GP retired and the new one investigated and she was diagnosed with sjogrens. The arthritis foundation has wonderful information on all the diseases that have been mentioned by everyone.

mercibucket · 10/04/2012 21:44

Poor op! We've internet diagnosed her with a lot! Seriously though, op, don't be fobbed off! I would change gp - even if he agrees to run one test, sounds like you're going to have to hassle for anything more - and remember - once diagnosed you then need to rely on him to treat you.
It is very very easy to change gp

Swipe left for the next trending thread