Page 4 | To think my GP just dismissed me

NuttyNut98 · 2025-01-08T00:39:34+00:00

I went today for a couple of issues which I told the receptionist about on the phone. One was insomnia and headaches. I did explain I was stressed at the moment. Her first thought was to prescribe anti depressants with a sedative effect. Apparently these ones help you sleep quite deeply which I don’t feel too good about as I’m a single parent to a young DC. I also think she didn’t try and get to the cause of why I felt stressed or even do any things to see why I’m getting headaches so often, she just went straight to anti depressants. I also have chronic shoulder pain, which gets worse and when it flares up, I’m struggling to move it. I thought she would have a look and ask me to put my arm into positions so she can see where the pain is. She also didn’t ask me if I’d injured it or try to see why it might have started. I was just asked to self refer to physio. Aibu to feel dismissed?

Tandora · 08/01/2025 14:14

Snapplepie · 08/01/2025 12:13

I'm a physio. We definitely provide a diagnosis and the consensus in the evidence base is that when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions we do this more accurately than GPs (who i think are fab). I work in GP practices, most patients can see me within a week without seeing their GP. I have an undergraduate degree and a masters degree, I can prescribe medication, request bloods and scans (in my area physios have the ability to request a greater variety of investigations than GPs) and I can refer on to anywhere the GP can. I am able to direct refer for joint or spinal injections and can take cases to conference with a variety of surgeons. My training covered the recognition of conditions that masquerade as musculoskeletal pain (cancers, infections, neuro, inflammatory conditions etc). I contribute to the training of GPs in musculoskeletal conditions and the management of chronic pain. I work really closely with GPs everyday, their job is hard and their input is valuable. Some of the things going on in the NHS are absolutely awful, but I truly believe that being able to see a physio as a first contact or self-refer is a positive thing.

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I stand corrected, had no idea how much physios could do!

Bodybutterblusher · 08/01/2025 14:29

Snapplepie · 08/01/2025 12:13

I'm a physio. We definitely provide a diagnosis and the consensus in the evidence base is that when it comes to musculoskeletal conditions we do this more accurately than GPs (who i think are fab). I work in GP practices, most patients can see me within a week without seeing their GP. I have an undergraduate degree and a masters degree, I can prescribe medication, request bloods and scans (in my area physios have the ability to request a greater variety of investigations than GPs) and I can refer on to anywhere the GP can. I am able to direct refer for joint or spinal injections and can take cases to conference with a variety of surgeons. My training covered the recognition of conditions that masquerade as musculoskeletal pain (cancers, infections, neuro, inflammatory conditions etc). I contribute to the training of GPs in musculoskeletal conditions and the management of chronic pain. I work really closely with GPs everyday, their job is hard and their input is valuable. Some of the things going on in the NHS are absolutely awful, but I truly believe that being able to see a physio as a first contact or self-refer is a positive thing.

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They're not all like you. Most people are given a print out and told to return in a bit.

StormingNorman · 08/01/2025 14:35

All the symptoms can be explained by stress. It makes sense for the GP to try antidepressants first. If they don’t work, you can go back for further examination.

MsBorealis · 08/01/2025 14:49

I accept that if I have something serious, I'd be in trouble if I have to rely on my GP to pay attention to what I'm saying. He's not interested.
I have pain in my lower back, I did manage to get an in person appointment. He asked me to stretch my arms up and asked me if the pain moved. It feels intense. He just said it's muscular, take pain killers.
It's not muscular, I know it's internal, I called for another appointment with the other GP, I explained that to the receptionist. The same GP called me back and berated me for asking for someone else.
The practice manager won't speak to anyone. I'm stuck.

MagpiePi · 08/01/2025 14:59

Bodybutterblusher · 08/01/2025 14:29

They're not all like you. Most people are given a print out and told to return in a bit.

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Most people just need to do some exercises and take some responsibility for themselves instead of expecting either a magic pill or full blown diagnostics.

Bignanna · 08/01/2025 15:32

mjf981 · 08/01/2025 00:44

The headaches/stress - how can a GP help with this? Surely this is on you to figure out the underlying problem and address it. Honestly, sometimes people think GPs are miracle workers.
You should book a separate appointment to address the shoulder pain.

Stress and headaches- yes I’d expect the GP to help with those!
Why didn’t the GP men another appointment then, instead of just referring her to physio? Sometimes different symptoms are interrelated
The GP didn’t seem very sympathetic imo.