Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Do you think it's significant if your 'alternative' therapy practitioner tells you to go & see your GP?

68 replies

KatyMac · 07/02/2011 20:22

Or am I being silly?

OP posts:
piratecat · 07/02/2011 20:24

I think it depends what they have told you and in reference to what.

i am confused!

PixieOnaLeaf · 07/02/2011 20:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 20:28

I have reflexology & have had for 8 or so years.

Recently (the last 18m- 2yrs) she has been murmuring about seeing my GP about various symptoms, but (esp after last year) I have been too busy/too poorly to go

Today after seeing her for an emergency back treatment (who would have thought getting out of bed could cause so much hassle) she insisted that I go & see the GP - particularly about a joint on my thumb (I have various auto-immune bits & pieces) and she told me off for not going.

OP posts:
piratecat · 07/02/2011 20:36

then i would go katymac.

Jammygal · 07/02/2011 20:39

I think she is just advising you like anyone else would that it is a good idea to have it all checked out by your gp.
As she obviously has a good relationship with you she is just trying to be a good friend. I wouldn't worry but I would see a Gp just to have all your niggles etc seen to. ;)

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 20:44

Oh joy

I used to quite like seeing the GP; but now?

Oh well I will make a list & make a double triple appointment with whichever poor soul gets me

OP posts:
kitbit · 07/02/2011 20:45

It doesn't necessarily mean 'I think you are about to explode', all it means is that you've had a specific problem or ailment for a while that isn't treatable by alternative means and you haven't sought advice yet :) I'm a reflexologist and when we trained it was very very clear that we were always told to discourage people from thinking that they were coming to us therefore there was no need to see the doc. Equally I've told a few peopke off for not getting help with minor but persistent problems eg sciatica, skin complaints, arthritis. Well not minor but not life threatening.
Sorry, waffling...don't worry, go to the doc!

Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 20:52

I know Kitbit but they will look at each symptom individually & I think they are all conected

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 21:13

Don't want to go

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 21:59

OK a list

Sore hands & feet
Pins & needles in my hands & feet
Cold hands & feet
Pain in my large bones
Lots of joint pain (hips, knees, wrists, ankles)
Blood sugar is very erratic - need to eat very regularly; lots of weeing, very thirsty waking up at night to drink
Low back pain all the time
Sore swollen thumb joint
Slow healing for cuts/bruises
weight never changes whether I over or under eat

Possibly allergic to almonds

Good things;
IBS is much better
CFS is generally OK (unless it's all that)

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 07/02/2011 23:14

Oh & when I broke my toe last year the nurse in casualty thought I should see the dr about the joints in my feet too

They are ganging up on me aren't they?

OP posts:
indigobarbie · 08/02/2011 06:43

Ganging up reads as 'we care about you' and get to the Doctors. I am also an alternative therapy person, and in any training I have been given I have always been advised to advise my clients who say they have health complaints to attend a GP. Alternative therapy is great, but I echo everything kitbit has said.
Get thee to the Doctors :) Then you can happily go back and get your feet squeezed Smile

Original poster
KatyMac · 08/02/2011 08:48

Still don't want to go, it will be stress or CFS or depression & they will do nothing

I don't think I 'talk' to doctors right they get the wrong end of the stick

& they never understand the 'in pain all the time' thing

OP posts:
thumbdabwitch · 08/02/2011 08:51

Yes!! GO!
just because someone is an "alternative" practitioner, it doesn't make them an idiot - if they think you need to go to the GP, that is because they have identified something that may be a cause for concern, sufficient that you need to see a medic. This is what decent practitioners are trained to do - GO!

rathlin · 08/02/2011 08:54

Some of your symptom sound like possible diabetes (weeing lots, thirsty, erratic blood sugar, poor healing). I would go and see your GP.

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2011 08:55

Well don't go Katymac - and why would you want to see a gp about your health I mean that is just the sillyest thing - isn't it.

Your health isn't important and gp's what do they know? Diddly squat they lounged aorund at uni for 7 years for the shear hell of it Grin

if there is something wrong with you that all these - or part of these symptoms show - then why would you need to know? Eh what does it matter if all of a sudden one day your body breaks down and say no can't take it anymore. I mean auto immune stuff is never relative.

What would a nurse at A& E know or the reflex gal?

I mena since 1948 and this NHS came along there has been nothing but trouble - medicating and dx problems for people that they never even knew they had or could get ill from

pick up the farking phone and make an appointment

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 09:01

Do it now.

BerryLellow · 08/02/2011 09:02

I was going to say my aunt has a lot of your symptoms and found out she has diabetes. That said, you probably haven't but it's best to get things like that ruled out, or early treatment for something that's manageable.

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2011 09:04

best to write down your list and give to gp.

then the gp can examine you and decide what he/she thinks is wrong.

No need to say it in a certain way just give the facts to start with and go from there.

thumbdabwitch · 08/02/2011 09:05

YOu need to be tested for diabetes for sure, and you may or may not have some arthritic condition as well (which can also be tested for, if only for elimination purposes). If you have either of these conditions, they WILL get worse without treatment, and any arthritic condition has the ability to cause irreversible joint damage if you don't reduce the inflammation.

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 09:11

What are you frightened of?

Either there is something identifiable that can be treated, which will make you feel better.

Or they will not find anything and you will be in the same position as you are now.

scottishmummy · 08/02/2011 09:14

i think you need to stop consulting quacks.

alternative therapist- what the hell is that

these quacks are unregulated.anyone can set up as alternative therapist wholly unregulated
public have little no recourse if they get it wrong.no regulatory bodies.no statutory regulation
they prioritise profit as they are business people selling placebo and talking pseudo-science jibber jibber cluck cluck

Original poster
KatyMac · 08/02/2011 09:47

I know - but I had a rough ride with doctors last year & I feel a bit nervous going

OP posts:
thumbdabwitch · 08/02/2011 09:50

Katy, I know you did - but seriously, you should go. You really don't have to mention the reflexologist to the GP if you don't want to - your symptoms list is probably enough to be going on with! Have you previously been tested for diabetes or any kind of arthritic/inflammatory condition?

scottishmummy · 08/02/2011 09:51

ok,thats fair enough but substituting gp for unregulated therapist isnt going to resolve your anxieties about gp

you already know the answer deep down anyway i suspect.and it wont be found in costly consultations and placebo

and do ask for double appt time when booking gp,take time to discuss explain what on your mind

if you find it hard or get anxious write it down

so good luck, i do hoe things get satisfactorily resolved