to tell the GP what I want; rather than asking her what can she do?

[Katymac]

There is tonnes of back story to this

But basically DD has gone blind (12 weeks ago) & they won't give her a MRI/CT Scans, do a neural net (whatever that is) or any blood tests

A behavioural ophthalmologist has faxed the GP to arrange these tests; the GP won't

So do I go in telling them what I want or is there a better way?

I rarely (if ever) do AIBU - so be gentle with me; I really am at the end of my patience

"he will stake his reputation on his diagnosis"
Sounds like this man has a god complex, he's human therefore he is fallible.

The hospital has used 'inversion syndrome' which I have yet to see on the internet (not a reliable source of info but.....)
The GP has used 'conversion syndrome' (without seeing DD)
The psychologist think 'Streff Syndrome' might be a more appropriate diagnosis but she isn't sure

Sorry there have been questions further down - I'll try & answer them

No sorry not conversion syndrome - it was 'conversion disorder'

Katy if you would like please email me on tribunicia underscore potestas at hotmail dot com. One of my cousins is a consultant "eye bod" and I will happily ask her for advice.

I don't know your backstory but it sounds like the consultant thinks the sight loss is psychological or summat? Have you accessed other GPs at the practice?

How is dd doing, she must be pretty frightened?

Yes it is totally fine to demand what they do

Remind the GP that the consultants have put forward a theory

They must follow all avenues to rule out any other cause - an MRI seems a basic test and if they fail to move forward on this you will consider it malpractice.

Your child has gone blind and has been for 3 months. You will contact the PCT and the papers if they do not refer her immediately for tests that another highly skilled and trained consultant has recommended.

I will not leave without the referral letter in my hand. And I will personally deliver it to the relevant department at the hospital.

Do you live in London? Near Moorfields? I'm sure they have a drop-in clinic

In an extremely short google on conversion disorder this line came up on scanning

"Appropriate investigation does not identify a neurological or general medical condition or the direct effects of substance use that can fully explain it."

Appropriate investigation must surely include a head CT or MRI, neural net and bloods to rule out any other, albeit rare, cause

Your GP cannot guarantee there is no underlyng cause and neither can the all-powerful consultant.

I have met a number of wonderful consultants and what makes them wonderful is there recognition that they go through every channel before staking reputations on any diagnosis

Katymac if you are unhappy with the treatment or lack of treatment your DD has received so far contact PALS

here

You should be able to find your local PALS on the website, they'll have a phone number you can ring.

I have contacted them before and they were very useful.

Is there another GP at the practice ye can see?

I'd get a referral for a 2nd opinion. Give it a week and then ring the receptionist asking for any last minute appointments due to cancellations. Do you have a partner or male friend with an alluring sexy voice? DH has a the most gorgeous manner with hospital admin staff... it usually works, too!

Katymac - there must be someone on MN who is qualified in this field, or someone who's in your area and willing to give you a second opinion, or someone who can offer you an opinion and refer you - worth a shot?

HonestyBox How it happened "was sent home from school with dizziness. On Friday she had some double vision, on Saturday she had blurriness and on Sunday she had both with additional colour loss. Then on the Monday she had some pain & it got worse. She also has short periods where she can't see anything but black - sometimes for seconds, sometimes minutes & twice for several hours"

We saw the BO at normal opticians but she is a member of this which may not be mainstream but neither is acupuncture

tribpot thank you I have emailed you - she is OK most of the time but she has moments of panic

activate we have spoken to Moorfields who won't see us without a referral; I agree with you re what you googled

We are scared of making a fuss in case it prejudices DD's treatment further

Make a fuss, sit in the GP waiting room until the do the referral, she is not getting treatment now so what can it prejudice?

agree with meg.

Good luck Katymac - am so infuriated and confused on your behalf, can't believe your GP is being such an arse.

GPs often have limited access to MRI scans and CT scans. Ophthalmologists and secondary care doctors usually have much easier access to them. If your child is seeing an ophthalmology consultant then I don't understand why this doctor didn't organise the blood tests and scans themself, unless it's not really an ophthalmologist as the term "behavioural ophthalmologist" makes me wonder if this is a psychologist rather than an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons. If they think a child needs a scan they'd just order one. It all sounds very odd.

It sounds as though there is some similarity between what the consultant and the behavioural opthalmologist have said.

Has the behavioural opthalmologist explained what a 'neural net' is?

just say calmly yes you want a second opinion at GOSH - latest referrals there for my ds have been very quick.

i also dont think GP can order MRI - so if you can get into GOSH then much better.

I believe that Moorfields has an A & E for eyes. (I went there when I had chicken pox spot in my eye).

Can you go and sit in their A & E? You don't need a referal then and they like "interesting" cases.

I'm getting confused She is a behavioural optometrist

I agree with the poster who suggested PALS. My sister works for the NHS and she said everyone craps themselves and things get done when PALS are on the case.

IME GOSH are great - try and get an ref there asap.They won't mess you around.

My Dad spoke to a retired consultant paediatrician & a head of something or other at a big London hospital (both family friends that we do not talk to about medical stuff as you don't pester friends that way - but we are desperate)

Both said that
a)GOSH is a good place to go
b)12 weeks is quick to get there
c)I ABCompletelyR about panicking about DD's health &
d)The consultant sounds up his arse quite odd

Phew I am so glad it's not me

Go for the second opinion at GOSH.

GOSH! GOSH! GOSH! Go for it! If doc is willing to stake his reputation, then he shouldn't mind you getting a second opinion, should he?

sweet jesus your poor DD

get tough and push push push, use PAlS, you are NBU

really hope they can sort this out

Can you get a private appointment at GOSH? You could then explain that you would have to have the tests/treatment on NHS, and hopefully they would look sympathetically on that.