Dismissive GP?

[MarchOfTheMurlocs]

Not asking for a diagnosis per se, just wondering if my GP is being dismissive and what I should do.

For the past couple of months (increasing in frequency in the past month or so), I've been experiencing:

1. Bloating (ranges from mild to a severe, most days)
2. Feeling 'full' despite not having eaten anything or having eaten very little (daily)
3. Low grade stomachache that gets way worse after food (couple times a week)
4. Nausea especially after food (usually with accompanying point 3)

I haven't made any changes to my diet or lifestyle. No new stressors.

Went to my GP for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and he told me it was just PMS even though I've never experienced such symptoms in the past. Went again on Thursday (made sure I was nowhere near my period) and he told me that if it's not PMS it's probably IBS and that the only thing I can do is monitor my food intake.

I primarily eat fish, eggs, bananas, pineapples, tofu, green beans, tomatoes, prawns, kimchi, and have a cup of jasmine green tea once or twice a day.

AIBU to think my GP is being dismissive? Surely I shouldn't have to spend the rest of my life dealing with almost daily bloating, fullness, nausea, and pain?

I would book a different appointment with different GP

Being full with a reduced appetite can be a symptom for something quite serious.
Did the doctor actually examine your abdomen at all?
I would have expected blood work to be done.

Very dismissive. Please get a second opinion op.

It's hard to get an appointment these days. Earliest I've got at another practice is in 3 weeks but I'm wondering if I should move it back another week so it doesn't coincide with my period because now I'm paranoid it'd be blamed on PMS again!

Are you keeping a diary?

As @Sooverthisnow says it can be a symptom of something fairly serious so I’d push to be seen quite urgently by another GP with some bloods and/or ultrasound.

Did they do a pelvic examination?

First time I went just before my period so GP told me it was most likely related to my period. Second time he did a very brief abdomen examination, then gave me a list of food to avoid, told me to try and "reduce stress", and I was out the door in less than 10 minutes.

If you're really concerned you can ask for a referral letter to a private gastroenterologist. You may have to pay for the letter and the appointment too obviously. But I think I would, in these circumstances.

I went with simular symptoms a couple months back.

The Dr felt around my lower abdomen/ pelvic area for any lumps and bumps

She then arranged blood tests and a stool sample.

All the above came back normal, though I'm a tad anemic due to coil causing heavy periods.

I was expecting an ultrasound referral to be honest as my concern was ovarian cancer.

I still occasionally get those symptoms but they come and go, I've been advised if it was something more sinister that it would be a more persistent pain so Dr said probably ibs.

I'd push for an ultrasound if I was you.

You need to be checked for ovarian cancer ASAP.

You need bloods and a scan

Book a private consultation . It’s a few hundred quid and worth every Penny for the peace of mind . I’d be dead if I hadn’t gone private and I’m absolutely broke and still paying for my surgery loan but I don’t regret it .
I’ve lost all faith in the NHS . Let me and my family down too many times . Even on universal credit I go private now. I just have massive credit card bills . but I don’t care.

Pay for a private appointment and see a proper Dr. GPs are so conditioned to dismiss, they kill many hundreds of people each per year. The NHS is funked by culture not money. Try it and see the difference. By the way as an ex NHS upper GI specialist, if you are a drinker, demand an investigation for varices. If not, demand an OGN for oesophagus

If GP thinks it's IBS you should be sent for endoscopy. It can't be diagnosed definitively by a GP.

What a load if nonsense! A GP is a "proper doctor"

You clearly aren't a specialist or you'd not give such appalling advice. How exactly would varices give the symptoms described?

I am Consultant Upper GI surgeon.
The symptoms you describe are likely to be IBS but it is a diagnosis of exclusion- anything more serious is highly unlikely . I would expect the GP to have arranged a further appointment to see you at a fixed time point having asked you to commence the FODMAP diet. If you hadn't improved at that point would have suggested routine bloods and FIT if Change in bowel habit. If continued symptoms and eg weight loss would recommend endoscopy and D2 biopsies.

With those symptoms I'd expect bloods taken at least to rule out ovarian cancer .

It's unlikely to be anything sinister but whatever it is it's not normal for you and needs diagnosis .

A second appointment is needed with either a second GP or failing that ask the original GP for a diagnosis. Saying it's PMS is not good enough .It needs to be treated incase it gets worse .

PS. Kimchi is about the worse thing you can eat as contains fermented garlic and onion

What an absolutely stupid comment! Although they have their misgivings, GP's are proper doctors and it's very very likely those private ones you pay to see are GP's also. No true 'GI Specialist' would say such ridiculous things.

Go to a second GP or go private OP. I work in ultrasound and we scan hundreds of people with your symptoms. Before you get scared by some suggestions here, there are other things besides ovarian cancer that will present your symptoms. A blood test and abdominal scan can rule a lot of things out and I'd expect a GP to do those two things as a minimum.

Hi OP, this is what you can/should expect from the GP before getting a diagnosis of IBS: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61/chapter/Recommendations#diagnosis-of-ibs

I'm a GP. While your symptoms may be IBS, I would organise bloods, a stool test and probably an USS abdo to exclude other possible diagnoses before I'd be comfortable diagnosing IBS.

I could have written this. Had lots of tests, and it was diagnosed as IBS. I was put on a low FODMAP diet for 8 weeks whilst under the care of the hospital dietician and was actually scared when I had to start adding other foods, as I felt so well on the diet. It may be worth asking to see a dietician.

@helenabonhamfarter tha l you for your reply defending GPs (im a GP)

Just curious as one of the first things I would have tried (alongside bloods and US) would be 1 month PPI… just interested that maybe I’d be off base?

IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion - it can only be diagnosed AFTER all other possibilities have been ruled out, including via camera tests.

It is negligent to tell someone they have IBS without going through that process.

See another doctor (and consider complaining about this one's negligence.)