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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do I approach my Doctor about this?

8 replies

wellthismakesnosense · 29/11/2018 07:26

So I’m fairly confident I have kidney stones. I’ve had them a number of times before and I recognise all the symptoms I am currently experiencing. I don’t like to ‘self diagnose’ but I feel reasonably sure.

However, although the symptoms are the same, it does feel a bit different to every other time. The pains are in the same places, but much much more intense, and it seems to have escalated from nothing to being quite bad really quickly. It just feels different and I’m worried it might be worse than previous times - every other time they have passed with no intervention required. Painful, but no complications.

I plan on getting an emergency GP appointment today, and hope they will see me. But I wondered if I would be unreasonable to say to them what my suspicions are, and also to try and express my concerns. I know doctors don’t like patients self diagnosing and doing their jobs for them! Previously, it has been diagnosed with a urine sample which each time was full of broken up stone, so they knew straight away. Sometimes by the time I got an ultrasound I had already passed them and I feel like this can’t happen on this occasion and it may need quicker exploration - I am worried I sound pushy by saying that, and that’s not how I intend it to come across. I’ve had lots of health issues over the years and I’m fairly relaxed about things usually so I don’t think I’m being over dramatic, but maybe I am!!

So would I be unreasonable to say something, or do I just explain my symptoms and accept whatever they say without question? What I don’t want to do is piss them off as they’ll understandably be even less inclined to listen to my concerns! I’m very prepared to be told either way, I’ve had a rough as hell night with the pain of it so I know I’m not thinking all that clearly! Thanks for your help.

OP posts:
Strongmummy · 29/11/2018 07:28

Tell them what you’ve said here in an assertive and confident manner. Remember you are the expert on your body as it’s your body and you know things feel different this time! Good luck

FrowningFlamingo · 29/11/2018 07:30

Why on earth would that piss them off?
I much prefer to know a patient's concerns so that I can either explain why I think it's not likely to be the case, or so I can treat / investigate appropriately. Part of our job is to elicit these concerns but it's a million times easier if a patient just comes straight out with it.

The only thing I dislike is people complaining after a consultation that I didn't address the concerns they didn't tell me about! We have a lot of training but none of it is in telepathy Wink your GP should be more than happy for you to explain what you are worried the problem is.

Good luck at your appointment!

possumgoddess · 29/11/2018 07:31

Whenever I see my doctor he always asks me what I think the problem is. He knows I am an intelligent woman who knows her own body and I am usually right if I have any idea at all. He can also set my mind at rest if I am wrong. It gives him an idea of what to start looking at/for, so I'm sure your doctor won't mind you telling him/her what you are concerned it might be.

Petalflowers · 29/11/2018 07:32

Tell the doctor what you have said here. Explain how you have had them before, but the pain has intensified, and you are now concerned. It’s not unreasonable at all, anddoctors would rather the full information.

Wishiwascrafty · 29/11/2018 07:33

Not a gp but A&E doc but I’d be more than happy for someone to come and describe their pain and add that it felt like previous episodes of a known condition. And I’d want to know it was worse. In your case my concern would be an obstructing stone (one too big to pass). If there is no let up from your pain expect an A&E visit to check bloods for kidney function and infection +/- an scan

Ploverlover · 29/11/2018 08:00

Doctors love it if patients are open about their thoughts and worries. Makes it all so much easier!

Get well soon.

wellthismakesnosense · 29/11/2018 08:14

Thank you so much everyone for putting my mind at rest! I think perhaps I’ve had bad experiences with a Doctor in the past which has made me reluctant to say anything. Thank you wish (sorry I don’t know how to tag!), that is my concern too. Thank you so much everyone.

OP posts:
PylonsPylonsPylons · 29/11/2018 08:30

GPS don't like patients going in and telling them what is wrong /demaning a particular treatment.
It is absolutely fine to go in saying that you think you have a kidney stone again, just explain it like you have here.

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