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.

everything bar the lump means everything except the lump

though as has just been pointed out by @MasterShardlake lump may be lumped with other symptoms.

op has exhausted many avenues re clinical opinions, it’s worth investigating.

Sorry, is this addressed to me? I haven't complained that my GP examined me, I am not sure what you mean?

I am complaining that GP acknowledged the lump, did not provide a clear and reassuring answer and refused to send me for a private scan. They obviously thought investigation is warranted as they were offering to refer to gastroenterology on the NHS (the wait is 4 months), my mental health cannot take another wait like this. I am unhappy that I wasnt referred for a private scan, so I wasnt disputing what was said to me, I just simply cannot sustain 4 months of uncertainty.

The irony is that both my IVF clinic and private gynea were pushing for laparoscopy (suspected endometriosis) many times and i refused. So it is kind of ironic that I could get that easier now (if I wanted to) - an invasive procedure, rather than a non-invasive scan.

Wobblyheart no it wasn't , I do apologise. I suffer health anxiety and Im always thinking I'm ill, hope you get sorted soon. x

Would agree with a pp, private GP appointment for a second opinion on the lump and then be referred via them. Presume you have had bloods already and ruled out anaemia/thyroid as the cause of your fatigue?
Would definitely want an ultrasound of your abdomen followed by CT/MRI as indicated.

I don't advocate them but there are networks that accept self-referral for scans. No idea of their quality, CQC rating etc.

https://www.vista-health.co.uk/diagnostics/mri-services/mri-scan/?

mriplus.co.uk/?

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