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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To book another appointment with the GP?

24 replies

StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 22:37

Im 29, I've been having issues with my periods for about 4-6 months now. I've seen my gp a couple of times but he brushes it off as nothing. I had bloods done last week and received a text message from the surgery to say my iron levels are low (they always are and have been all my life) but no mention of my hormone levels which was what was supposed to be being checked.
Today my period started over a week early......yet another odd symptom to add to the list.
I don't want to waste anyone's time but I'm also rather worried about what's going on as my periods have always been on time and regular in their behaviour.
WIBU to arrange a phone consultations with the gp? Every time I speak to them they make me feel like I'm wasting their time.

OP posts:
Original poster
StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 22:39

Also am I allowed to ask for a copy of the blood results?

OP posts:
ZippyBungleandGeorge · 25/04/2019 22:39

Definitely book a consultation, if they've not even discussed your results with you that's not on, you can't just send a text!

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 25/04/2019 22:40

Also am I allowed to ask for a copy of the blood results?

I can see all of mine online so I'd imagine so

gamerchick · 25/04/2019 22:41

Can't you see a female gp? I don't find male doctors very sympathetic with woman's issues.

Original poster
StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 22:42

The text said my iron levels were low and they could write me a script for meds if I ket reception know......I can't take iron supplements due to another condition.

OP posts:
Original poster
StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 22:44

Every time I ask to see a female the receptionists make an absolute song and dance about it......Apparently this time when I asked there were none available.

I'll have a look and see if they have an online facility.

OP posts:
Howaboutthisone · 25/04/2019 22:44

I've been posting about this over on women's health op. It's really rubbish and I sympathise. I did find a female gp more helpful. Not saying it's always the case but it was with me. My situation is far from resolved but at least I now feel like it's being taken more seriously.

FaithInfinity · 25/04/2019 22:46

What kind of symptoms?

I had heavy, painful periods pretty much from when they started (at 13) and finally got an endometriosis diagnosis at 35 when I pushed for a gynaecologist referral for unexplained chronic abdominal pain. I would suggest seeing a different GP as some are far more sympathetic than others.

AnnieMay100 · 25/04/2019 22:48

Ask for a second opinion and for results posted to you, they shouldn’t be brushing it off as it sounds like your hormones may be slightly unbalanced. Keep on at them it’s their job and they should be helping you.

Original poster
StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 22:56

FaithInfinity I've always had 28 day regular cycle. Very heavy, fairly painful periods with large clots, bleeding for at least 5 days if not longer.
Over the last few months my periods have been late then early. They've got significantly lighter and rather than thick dark red blood are now thin, watery and pinkish. They only last for about 3 days.
Now today I'm a week early.....I went to the loo because I had a sudden gush of red blood and an odd clot in it. I did a pregnancy test last month just in case but it was negative. I am a bit over weight but I'm losing weight.....1-2 lbs a week and have lost a stone so far. It doesn't make sense.

OP posts:
spugzbunny · 25/04/2019 22:58

I think you just have to be firm but flexible when you call up. Insist on a female GP and say you'll wait for however long the next available appointment is.

FaithInfinity · 25/04/2019 23:03

Based on that I would definitely request a gynaecology referral. Flowers for you - my symptoms of endo are similar and it sucks! Good news is mine have been much improved since I had my investigative laparoscopy and had it treated 18 months ago.

Original poster
StickyCarpet · 25/04/2019 23:06

Pigs might fly before my gp gives me a referral to a specialist. He missed am ectopic pregnancy.....didn't even do a test and told me I had IBS for years. Turned out it wasn't and I ended up being admitted to hospital for 4 days because my bowel nearly perforated. Perhaps I will ask for a second opinion.

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Michellebops · 26/04/2019 06:28

Is there a possibility of changing to a completely different practice?

I would try to do that as it sounds like you're not getting the support you need from your current one.

You should be able to ask for a routine appointment with whatever dr you want to see without any issue.

Yutes · 26/04/2019 06:36

I have strange periods, irregular cycles and (now) chronic abdo pain. I can’t get a gynae referral unless I’m also TTC Hmm

Each time I go to my GP I think they’ve now decided it’s all in my head. You have my sympathy OP

iN33danap · 26/04/2019 09:13

I feel you OP!

Do you track your periods on an app or whatever? Some apps document symptoms as well.

I'd make sure you have everything written down somewhere with dates etc (if you haven't already) and be firm and refuse to be dismissed.

Do you have abdominal pain? Sharp pain where your overies are? Excessive hairiness? (You don't have to answer those questions on here if you don't want to!) These things are classic PCOS.

Really sorry the docs are being unhelpful, yes female doctor would be better but if you get a male one you have the right to request a referral to a gyno.

Hang in there lovelyFlowersFlowers

barcodescanner · 26/04/2019 12:05

You can get a printout of your results. They may charge you though.
I always get a print out now as you could only just be in range and they say all is fine.

Kamma89 · 26/04/2019 12:40

Your GP sounds awful! You have to be so firm with gynaecology issues I find. Politely request a referral to a gynaecologist & refuse to leave/threaten to complain if they don't. Write a bullet point list of your most troublesome symptoms & explain the negative impact its having on your life.

I had to push for a gyne referral & once there push for a laparoscopy due to extreme periods & pain. They wanted more "wait & see". Turned out I had necrotic cysts that had twisted on a fallopian tube & endometriosis. Untreated I could have got sepsis or been rendered infertile.

Womens health is not taken seriously.

Original poster
StickyCarpet · 26/04/2019 15:57

I called this morning first thing @8.30 to book a phone consultation....they told me there were none left with my gp and that I wasn't allowed to discuss the results with a different Dr, that it had to be my own Dr.....even though when they text me my results about low iron it was a different gp who looked at the results and messaged me. It's just a massive game to them and quite frankly bullshit. They make it up as they go along!!!
I've managed to get a phone consultation on Monday but will be at work so chances are I won't be able to take the call. It's so stupid.
Ive had a look at other practices today Nd will find out of I can swap. I'm fed up of being fobbed off and lied to by silly receptionists who aren't medically qualified.

OP posts:
JigsawGirl11 · 26/04/2019 16:15

Tbh I haven't had positive experiences even with female gps.

I've had similar problems and suggested maybe you do a smear a few months early, this was March and I was due in July but she insisted that I can't have a smear and that even if she did one and sent the sample they'd just throw it away as I'm not 'due' but she did confirm that a she's sure a smear be the best thing to diagnose what's wrong but she couldnt do that until the allocated time so just wait.

All this even though I've had very dubious smear results previously that have resulted in loopz and biopsies etc. I also have very traumatic experiences with smears and any internal, sometimes requires sedation which is all over my notes so not a request I made lightly.

I find doctors just dismiss it as well that's the way it is for woman/that's how periods work

Michellebops · 26/04/2019 18:00

@JigsawGirl11 that's total bs from your gp!

I was due my smear in jan/feb this year however I had a mmc in October they knew we were going to try again soon so suggested I had my smear at end of November. Rather than delay if I fell pregnant.

I got it first couple of days into December due to practice nurse availability.

Got results before Xmas and no issues.

Howaboutthisone · 26/04/2019 18:05

Care for Women's Health issues is awful! It's something we're just expected to put up with when we shouldn't be.
OP I would also make an official complaint and then is there an ombudsman for this who could step in if they don't step up?

slashlover · 26/04/2019 18:17

I had 28/29 day cycle with periods which lasted 6/7 days until I was approx. 34. My cycle changed to anything from 21 to 35 days with periods between 3 and 9 days and the periods changed too. I started to get more painful cramps and exhaustion for about 2 days before my period started and started having strange moments where I would have a hot flush/vomiting/EXTREME exhaustion for an hour or so.

My blood test came back as absolutely normal but when I was sent for an ultrasound I had an 8cm ovarian cyst. I had a laparoscopy which also showed bad endometriosis.

Original poster
StickyCarpet · 26/04/2019 18:37

Slash gosh that's scary. Is everything ok now?
I had an ectopic years ago but there was never a propper explanation or any investigation into why it happened. The gp missed that and put it down to a cyst or potential miscarriage. Ended up having emergency surgery.
Your symptoms are very similar to mine. I think I'll insist on a scan next week.

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