Advice on Questions to ask the GP?

[Roaminginthegloaming]

I was visiting my 85 year old mum for most of last week to attend her brother’s funeral. I live four hours away so I took the opportunity whilst I was with her to take her round to her local GP surgery to get a summary of her medical records in order to apply for Attendance Allowance.

The receptionist was very helpful and noticed that my (frail] mother hadn’t actually seen a GP for about 18 months, despite being on various tablets. She quickly set up appointments with an SPLW (Social Prescribing Link. Worker) for the AA form assistance, for blood and urine tests, to see a physiotherapist as my mum broke her wrist 2 years ago and still is in pain in her arm. The receptonist also set up an appointment to actually see the GP face to face.

My mum told me that a few months ago when she collected her prescription at the pharmacy the doctor had taken her off her ‘water tablets’ but she didn’t know why and didn’t want to bother the doctor to ask why he’s done this. She had four children (including twins) and I reckon she has a prolapsed womb - she’s always going to the toilet for a wee and wears pads in case of leakage.

Anyway, I’m back home now and my mum has told me that she doesn’t know why she needs to see the GP tomorrow and has asked me to tell her what she should be discussing with him? She tends to underplay things as she ‘doesn’t want to cause a fuss’.

Can anyone advise what an 85 year old woman should be asking? I haven’t a clue! Thank you.

I have taken my wife to her GP. My wife did not know why she was there but the GP was brilliant at asking the right questions to find out what was wrong.
The other really good thing is that the GP asked my wife if she was happy for me to know all her medical information and when my wife agreed it was added to her notes. (We are both 77 but my wife is showing many signs of dementia)

Thank you @OldJohn .

Unfortunately she will be on her own as I’ve had to return home (180 miles away). Also she gets a bit flustered when she talks with her GP as she doesn’t understand his accent very well but is too polite to tell him!

It sounds from your first post as if she should ask about results of her tests and any progress on the medication review and physio?

@Roaminginthegloaming can you email or phone her GP practice and tell them your concerns so the GP.can ask leading questions

1. To ask why your DM was taken off water tablets and wether she should be prescribed them again.

( If she had not requested water tablets on her repeats then, a gp or receptionist may have just removed them in error and water tabs can be important for regulating blood pressure for some people.

2. Ask about the pain in her wrist and for some gel pain killer - ( gel pain relief in a tube which your DM can rub on her wrist to make her more comfortable).

@Roaminginthegloaming Unfortunately she will be on her own as I’ve had to return home (180 miles away).

Does she use a mobile?
If so, tell the surgery that you want to call her when she goes in to the GP and have her put you on speaker so that you can attend the visit virtually.