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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Awful Doctors?

46 replies

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 09:46

Posting for traffic!
I'm in my mid-twenties and for the past three months have been losing my hair, it's evenly thinning throughout my scalp and has been horrific; losing about 200-300 hairs on really bad days.
I went to my doctors about this after three weeks, was not taken seriously and made to feel dramatic and small by the doctor. They took blood and gave me supplements.
Three months on it is still happening, it started to slow but over the last week has become much worse again. I called the doctor to make an appointment and was met with the below from a receptionist at the practice;
'The doctor does not feel this is urgent and as they have 'investigated' already they recommend you making an appointment at the walk in centre'

AIBU to be completely shocked and miserable at this? I'm only young and the amount my hair is falling is terrifying, yet my doctor refuses to even allow me to book an appointment? WIBU to complain?

OP posts:

TeddybearBaby · 22/10/2018 09:52

I really feel for you! Why are they even asking why you need an appointment on reception? I’d change doctors I think 💐

CrappyFriend0910 · 22/10/2018 09:54

I would definitely complain. Losing that much hair is not normal. Ask to speak with the practice manager and say you want a second opinion. Try to keep the hair that's falling out. If you take a large bag of hair with you its a lot more visual for the GP to see how much you are actually losing. Good luck!

FrowningFlamingo · 22/10/2018 09:57

It sounds like you asked for an urgent appointment from the sound of your post though, which this really isn't. Apologies if I've got the wrong impression. Can you book a routine appointment in advance?
If they've done the relevant blood tests already there's very little else they can do. You can see a trichologist but they vary a lot in terms of price and quality and are not usually available in the nhs as far as I know.

Original poster

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 09:59

Thank you
I have been taking pictures of the hair I lose after washing most weeks, my camera looks like a who's who of hair balls!
They always ask why I'm calling, this time I told the receptionist 'it's in my notes' and she called back and said the doctor would not be calling or seeing me.
I may just be venting but I can see why people can be so disheartened by their doctor surgeries..

OP posts:

TheOud · 22/10/2018 09:59

YANBU. It might not be a medical emergency but it’s increibly distressing. My GP was lovely and referred me to a dermatologist who said although my ferritin level was ok in terms of not being anaemia, it needed to be 70+ and as near to 100 as possible for hair health. She also put me on strong vit D supplements and Nioxin drops. It took a while but my hair stopped falling out and now actually grows.

Yes I think a complaint is justified . Ok you don’t need an urgent appointment but it does need reviewing and a possible referral if it’s getting worse. I couldn’t believe how confidence sapping and anxious it made me and you have my sympathy. Before complaining perhaps an assertive request you are seen again. Good luck. Mine did sort out but it did take longer than I thought.

Original poster

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 10:00

FrowningFlamingo - I asked to book an appointment and the receptionist said she would get a doctor to call me. So maybe she got her wires crossed?

OP posts:

Bluelady · 22/10/2018 10:03

Shit, though it is the walkin centre will show you the door, they're intended to be a low grade A&E.

If the tests have been done and there's no apparent cause, what more can they do? You need to see a trichologist and you'll have to pay.

I do feel for you, I'd be distraught.

TheShrieksShallInheritTheDeath · 22/10/2018 10:04

How distressing for you.
Have you done all the relevant googling and noted all the possible causes for alopecia in young women? There may be something there that looks like a likely cause for you that you can talk about with them.
If all else fails can you tell them you want a 2nd opinion?

Original poster

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 10:07

TheShrieksShallInheritTheDeath - I've had a look myself an I am strongly convinced it is Telogen Effluvium, symptoms match perfectly.
In all honesty it looks like I am going to look for help from a trichologist.

OP posts:

Lifeisabeach09 · 22/10/2018 10:08

You have the right to an appointment with a GP. They have a duty of care to provide you with an appointment. When, that's a different matter. You also do not have to give a reason for the appointment on booking.
I suggest you pop in and make an appointment in person (if you can) or switch GP surgeries.

tiggerkid · 22/10/2018 10:09

Totally understand how you feel: most GPs in my local surgery have pretty much the same attitude. They hardly ever bother investigating anything and are more than happy to dismiss everyone without trying to understand what the issue is.

Once my husband took my son to see his GP, and the GP said he didn't know what the issue was but he was sure it was nothing to worry about. At that point, my husband said to him: so, let me get this straight, you don't know what the issue is, you have no idea what it might be, you don't want to run any tests and yet you are sure it's nothing to worry about?

There was apparently a moment of a very uncomfortable silence but the GP did refer to my son for further tests after that.

I would advise you to do the same and insist on further investigations of your problem until they help you get to the bottom of it. They have no right to dismiss your concerns. We all pay taxes. Our taxes pay their salaries and they have a certain responsibility to the public.

Be firm and assertive. If you still don't get anywhere, make a complaint.

Original poster

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 10:13

Thank you all. You're right, I need to be firm and then complain if needed.
It's just difficult to be assertive when you're feeling so defeated!

OP posts:

Lovemusic33 · 22/10/2018 10:24

I’m not sure what they can do tbh other than refer you to dermatology?

I have the same issue with my hair and have not seemed any medical advice, I have tried various treatments to try and encourage regrouth but so far haven’t found anything. My hair is getting thinner and shorted, I lose a lot each time I brush it and what’s left just snaps off.

Andro · 22/10/2018 10:29

I’m not sure what they can do tbh other than refer you to dermatology?

I suspect if OP had been referred to dermatology then she'd be content that her GP had taken her seriously. The problem is they've tried to pass the buck, when they probably ought to have made the referral.

FrowningFlamingo · 22/10/2018 10:29

So maybe she got her wires crossed? that would be my suspicion, especially as she suggested a walk in center as that's usually for stuff that needs to be seen on the day.
Most people ringing in a Monday morning are 'urgent' and want to be seen that day so she may not have thought it through. If they won't even let you have a routine appointment to discuss your options (even if there aren't many!) that definitely seems a bit off.

velourvoyageur · 22/10/2018 10:32

Is it possible to change surgeries?

If it is TE though it will probably stop and regrow without treatment, I think, as it's non-scarring? So possibly the 'best' type of hair loss to have! But awful in the moment
I find the best way to be assertive is to doggedly hang on to your original conviction re: why you're doing something and not take your cue in conversation from the person who's giving you a hard time - so e.g. if the receptionist is being obtuse, don't allow that to gradually wrongfoot you but keep confidence in your initial reason for engaging with her. That in itself hasn't changed because she's being unsympathetic, it's still valid, so your approach of being confident and assertive is also still valid. Best of luck!

spiderlight · 22/10/2018 10:38

I had TE a few years back. I found it incredibly distressing but it did resolve by itself and my hair grew back thicker than ever. Supplements can take a while to work (iron and biotin really helped me, plus I used Fast Shampoo and conditioner from Amazon, which I swear made a difference). Your doctor needs to at least talk to you about your concerns though - it's not on to give you the brush-off like they have today :(

FrowningFlamingo · 22/10/2018 10:38

There's a few comments about dermatology, just in case it applies to your surgery, our dermatology dept will not see people for hair loss - so it might not be an option for your GP, unfortunately.

TatianaLarina · 22/10/2018 10:39

If the receptionist suggested a walk in centre she’s got the wrong end of the stick thinking you want an on the day appt.

The surgery are just saying it’s not urgent.

The receptionist cannot and will not stop you from making an ordinary GP appointment.

jeanlou1se · 22/10/2018 10:39

My GP did exactly the same when my toddler was losing her hair. Told me it's normal, within a week she was completely bald on top. The GP looked quite sheepish when I returned a week later, and promptly referred me to a Dermatologist. This was in January and we still haven't seen said Dermatologist. Luckily we paid to go private and her hair is starting to come back.
Is going private an option for you?

Hannnnnnnxo · 22/10/2018 10:39

Whilst your doctor sounds dismissive - I’m just going to be honest with you, hair loss alone will not be something that the NHS prioritises. Hair loss with other concerning symptoms, fair enough - but hair loss alone just seems like a cosmetic issue and the NHS won’t intervene (maybe in the absolute most extreme cases). In all honestly, you may have to privately undertake treatment to prevent further loss - whether that’s supplements or specialty hair care

pumpastrotter · 22/10/2018 10:43

I empathise, OP. My hair is similar and has been the same for a couple of years since DD, bald patches, you can see my scalp through my hairline, handfuls when I wash or brush... I went to the doctors and she literally looked at me and said 'that's just your hair type, it won't grow back now it's gone'. It's so distressing, I've spent many evenings crying about it and even considered just shaving it off. It's a vicious circle because the more you stress the more it comes out.

I would honestly recommend going direct to a dermatologist or a trichologist. I've had blood tests since for hormones/thyroid/deficiency checks and the only thing they've ever come back is that I'm anemic which has been the case for every blood test since I was a pre-teen. There was a post on here a while back about doctors being reluctant to diagnose thyroid issues and I really think it could be true.

pumpastrotter · 22/10/2018 10:44

There's a few comments about dermatology, just in case it applies to your surgery, our dermatology dept will not see people for hair loss derms won't deal with hair loss but they might be able to help if it's a problem with the scalp, some types of dermatitis can cause hair loss.

bumblebee39 · 22/10/2018 10:52

This is one of my pet peeves. Receptionists who think that they are Drs. You are entitled to a second opinion. Tell the receptionists it is a personal matter you don't want to discuss with them and want to see a different Dr than you did last time. You could also try making a formal complaint to the head of practice and/or practice manager.

Failing that move practice.

It sounds like you may have the early signs of alopecia and deserve to have a symptom like hair loss taken seriously.

Original poster

Olivetree615 · 22/10/2018 10:58

Thank you all. I booked the appointment at the walk in centre so I'll see if they can help.
My fear is that it gets so bad you can see my scalp. It's horrid having hair fall on you/your clothes/where you're working all day.
I'm also going to look for professionals in my hair to see privately. I understand it not being urgent to them or them seeing it as cosmetic but it's taking such a toll on my confidence. I truly thought it was getting better until this last week!

OP posts:

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