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.

GP’s are under nice and hospital guidelines, they will be following the appropriate guideline and proportionate response to what you have told them/ the outcomes of bloods based on what the criteria for referrals are. If you aren’t meeting criteria they can’t refer you. Why would you be on the two week pathway if they had made a referral? Is there anything they’ve found to suggest anything with urgency? Is this where your health anxiety might be coming in to make you believe it is something urgent and maybe the professionals don’t agree? A lump in itself often doesn’t suggest that something urgent is happening. If you have health anxiety you are also very likely to feel fatigued either way so it’s difficult for them to distinguish between what might be being caused by health anxiety vs fatigue caused by a physical health problem.

are you sure they are not making a private referral because they just don’t need to? Like.. you can just go and pay and get it yourself, there’s no need for them to do anything.

Same here.
You have to have a GP referral for any private treatment.

However you can bypass this by using a private GP

If i had known then, what I know now - I would have insisted on private referrals and treatment 20 years ago - GPs misdiagnose and miss things all the time.

I spent the best part of 20 years feeling very unwell and getting fobbed off

Look after your health OP

Thank you. FWIF I am praying to the universe that the GP was right to think that nothing sinister is going on, but yes. I just couldn't bet on this like this. I just need to have some courage and patience to get through the investigations. Waiting is so not easy. And I feel that it makes people's anxiety worse. If the system was better funded Id imagine quick access to diagnostics services would help many with their mental health.

I had something similar both a no to nhs or a referral private, unfortunately I ended up just having to booked in with an appt for a specialist privately for the initial appt and then he did the referrals

You just have an appointment with one of the private gps and they refer you for the private scan ….you can do this anywhere in England

I could but where I live there is only 1 private GP, believe it or not, and they are my NHS GP, and this is against their code on conflict of interest.

I think others have said it right, to get to see a specialist consultant.

I am just feeling down an wanted to moan because i can feel this lump and feeling so angry and sad at the same time. I wish I went private much earlier and didnt bother with the GP - I have been going to them with this issue since June.

I am glad that it sounds like you got to the bottom of your issues & wish you to stay strong and healthy.

Can you see another GP at the same practice or go to another practice?

I agree it sounds like a two week cancer pathway referral to me.

Yeah, it is somewhat both reassuring and a bit sad to read that many went down that path. It should be that hard to advocate for yourself.

There are loads of companies online that do virtual GP appointments. We’ve used several via our private health insurance.

Gulp. I just hope the GP is right and there is no malignancy.

And yet a GP doesn't think so.

Struggling to understand why people online know the OPs symptoms better than a GP. Not every person can go via the two week referral. GP has offered a standard referral which OP has turned down.

What was the outcome?

dont use any old private gp…..choose a private company offering scans that you are happy with….then contact them and they have their own gps …..you just have a telephone consultation with them…l,they could be 100s of miles away from you….they then refer you on for your scan within the same company ……my DD did this for a full body mri…she had an appointment with a gp over the phone which cost £25 …..they okd. Her for the scan, then she had the mri ( cost 725) ….got her results 5 days later

Thank you, I will look into this route.

cancer, currently undergoing treatment. Wasn’t the same issue as op, so don’t want to stress you op with worry. Hopefully you will get the all clear or find the root of what is causing the issues.

And GPs miss bowel cancer all the time. Better to be safe than sorry with a colonoscopy with these prolonged symptoms. FIT tests don't always show it up.

The gp won’t be right or wrong…..be will be following nice guidance for referral

Why are you creeping around OP's threads and passing empathy-free judgement?

Wishing you well

I'm just going by what OP has said and my experiences as an HCP and a patient.

Some GPs can miss things and/or be dismissive.

A 10cm lump should be investigated. IME, a thorough GP would advise 2 week pathway, even if they feel it's likely not sinister but to be on the safe side, as they cannot know for sure what's going on without a scan/scopy.

Do you have e-consult? I would just use that and set out what you have said here, you are concerned and would like a private referral to rule out anything worrying and maybe send to the practice manager if they still refuse, or change practice.

I am so so sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you, I hope the treatment will be effective. Shame on nhs for not investigating it at the start but you have done everything right and gave yourself the best chance.

Hope you are getting the treatment you need now.

Did your GP acknowledge that on reflection not referring you was a mistake or did they stick to following NHS protocol?