Doctor said they would help and haven’t 😔

[Computa]

Hi all,

Up until recently I hadn’t been to the doctor for a very long time and it took a lot for me to get in touch with them. I had been feeling really tired, anxious and had random intrusive thoughts. I got some bloods done which determined I had low iron and was put on medication.

Fast forward 3/4 weeks the tiredness is improving but my mind is all over the place and I’ve never experienced anxiety like it. I called the doctor and embarrassingly broke down explaining how I was feeling expecting to be put on anxiety medication. She was lovely, told me she would get to the bottom of why I’m feeling like this and arranged a blood test to get my thyroid checked incase this was causing the anxiety.

Blood test done and I call the following week to be told by the GP receptionist bloods are clear. I asked if the doctor had arranged an appointment to get back in touch with me to discuss and she said no there will be no follow up. I got off the phone and cried (felt abit dramatic).

The doctor said she would help me and all she’s done is rule out a thyroid problem. Now I’ll have to go and explain this to another doctor and I’ve been told it’s a 4+ week wait for a telephone appointment.

not sure what I’m wanting to gain from this post! Just need to vent as I haven’t spoken to anyone in real life about this.

You can ask to see the same GP as ordered the previous blood tests for you, so you don't have to start all over again.
And if you explain how you feel to the receptionist when you're booking an appointment, they might be able to find you an appointment sooner.

It's reasonable to check your thyroid as it can cause a spike in anxiety. That definitely shouldn't be the end of the conversation though. Unfortunately it's now left to patients to be proactive and push for a follow up. If you in England, you can self refer to NHS Talking Therapies without the need to involve a GP.

Is the anxiety relatively new or is it something you have always struggled with (GAD)?

So you don't need a follow up re the bloods as they came back normal. But you do need to book an apt to discuss what happens next. Call them and request an apt with the same GP

You could call 111 and select option 2 for mh support? It would be quicker and may help you access support for your anxiety. I hope you’re ok, you deserve support.

You need to let them know it is urgent and you can’t wait 4+ weeks. I’ve been through this myself, it’s really demoralising but if you are persistent it will pay off. I was told 6 weeks twice and after insisting it was urgent I ended up with the GP calling me same day and prescribing me what I needed. My MH was in a terrible state at the time. Not suicidal but just awful.