GP refusing to send me to private investigations

[Wobblyheart]

I want to preface this with saying that my GP practice is really amazing compared to what I have experienced before, on time, understanding, caring, accommodating. They have ordered a significant number of investigations for me already, but not being able to find anything abnormal. So I do understand why they are doing it but I feel so incredibly frustrated.

Long story short, I have been suffering with relentless fatigue (nothing like any thing i have experienced before) for 2 years, my muscles hurt and burn on a minimal exertion and out of breath from minimal activity. I have a bloated stomach all the time, and some digestive issues. Recently I discovered a really large - maybe 10 cm or so - sausage shaped lump in my right side. GP could feel it too on the examination. Suggested it could be my ascending colon. However, my worry is that the lump is ALWAYS there, irrespective of bowel movements or anything else. After 3 FIT tests and normal bloods, GP refused to refer me for a private scan. I understand and dont want to be a burden for NHS anymore but why refuse to send me privately?

I do suffer from health anxiety and the rationing is that it will not help me. However, without knowing what this lump is, my anxiety meds (a high dose) doesnt do anything for me, without knowing i wont be able to try for another pregnancy (and I am 38 already). I understnad why having another scan might make anxiety worth but i feel like denying it to me just resorts me to a half-living in a state of tourteous uncertainty. If i did not a physical lump and this 2 year exhaustion, I would find it much easier to move one, but this is not the case here. I know that no amount of CBT, drugs etc wont be able to help me whilst I feel utterly drained of energy for no obvious reason and feeling the "swelling/lump" in my abdomen.

I hate this situation so much. Because I totally understand where the GP is coming from but it is not going to be helpful for me. I hear people and some people say this to me too: "advocate for yourself". I'd like them to try and be a young woman with health anxiety and real physical symptoms and try to advocate for themselves. I am burnt out. Scared. and so so so so tired.

If you are self-funding and not using private medical insurance, you can bypass the GP and self refer depending on what private facilities you have in your area.

In your shoes, I'd pay to see a gastro consultant and get their advice and recommendations for further investigations.

I didn’t think GP’s did private referrals, in that it is up to the patient to arrange the private treatment by contacting the private hospital provider for an appointment etc. i’m in scotland though, could be different

Thank you, this is exactly what I am doing now and waiting for the appointment in a couple of weeks. I just rather hoped that i could save £250 on the consultation as the tests are not cheap and will put me into debt.

But also I just find it frustrating so wanted to see whether it is just me or if anyone had a similar experience and how they have dealt with it.

I didn't think you needed a GP referral for a private scan either?

Most GPs will do private referrals but there may be a charge. If you have private medical insurance, you will likely need a referral from your GP ,whether an NHS or private, to access services.

Why are you planning another pregnancy when you're utterly exhausted all the time already?

In my early 30s I had a rare thing- a lipoma growing in the bowel and it twisted it and needed a bowel resection, odd things can happen. Do you get pain with it?

The GP said it was very unusual, but then said they had had another patient with the same thing recently!

If they had found mine earlier, I might not have had to go through all I did and an emergency op. So I think you are right to get checked out.

Some private medical insurance would just send you for a colonoscopy or to see a gastro I think? Or is there another GP you can see? Best of luck.

I understand, OP. The gastro consultant can write to your GP and can push GP to refer for, say a scan if needed, on NHS pathway.

If the GP doesn't think there is anything physically wrong he isn't going to,waste money on private scans just because you have health anxiety. Next you may be fixated on something else. Just refer yourself.

I agree with this.

Most insurance companies require a referral by a GP. They need to know there are medical grounds for seeing a specialist.

Why not see a private GP?

And presumably there are not, in this case.

Loads of people self refer to specialists for private tests no need to go to a GP. You could always go to a private GP too.

1k should cover it initially and then anything up to 5k for a colonoscopy, IS,CT pr MRI. Depends what specialist thinks.

I guess it depends where you go. In our region there are no establishments that would do CT / MRI without a referral.

You self refer to a private specialist and they order the tests.

Where do you live? You may have to travel. My sibling had to pay 2k and travel 100 miles to get a lipoma removed as it was not covered on the NHS.

Hmmm I am hoping that I can get to the bottom of what's causing it and address it. The answer to you question is that I want to have another child, as we only have one, so I would really like my son to have a sibling.

Why won’t they just refer you for an nhs scan? I’ve known loads of people to be referred despite a blood test being normal. Not all lumps will mean an abnormal blood test. I’d see another GP. If they can’t tell you why you have a lump then what are they saying it is?!

Nothing wrong with wanting to know just have to fork out some cash to pay for the privilege.

Well they said they would refer me to Gastro specialist under NHS but it would be routine (god knows how long!). So I declined and went private because they haven't reassured me that the lump is definitely my colon is nothing to worry about. Those words were never said and I just find it odd that when they can feel the lump they are not doing an urgent referral. Why?

Yes. It is the privilege that I can't really afford so as I said, will be going into debt over it but I just cannot live like this anymore.

You need a doctor or consultant to refer you otherwise where would the results go?

You can see a private GP much cheaper then a consultant but they are likely to refer you to a consultant rather than directly for a scan.

But in lieu of a GP referral you just have a consultation with the specialist instead. Which I think you've said is what you're doing.

I doubt there's anywhere that would just do an MRI or CT scan without prior confirmation from a medical professional that it's both required and OK to do.

Plus that means you are having specialist input on what might be the problem, so that's surely better?

I think you should go back and see a different GP for another opinion. Tell them how concerned you are, that you’d like a scan to determine what the lump actually is. Of course you feel anxious, that’s not health anxiety it’s a normal response. Be firm with them. Don’t let them fob you off with ‘health anxiety.’

I agree with you, OP. They should have referred you on two week pathway for a scan and/ or consultant assessment. Especially as the lump is large and palpable and you are having gastro symptoms.