What to say to GP so I don't sound pathetic?

[gallicgirl]

I'm seeing GP on Tuesday to discuss if my pill is suitable.

DD is 18 mo and I still don't feel myself.

I can find the words to tell him how I don't feel right but I don't know how to get over to GP that I don't actually make a fuss over nothing. At least, I hope I'm not making a fuss over nothing. I want me back, if that makes sense.

Any ideas?

Don't worry, I'm sure your GP will be perfectly fine about this. Lots of women try various pills before they find one that suits them. Does your GP practice have a female health specialist you could ask to see?

Perhaps you can try and quantify it bit more, so you can say..
"i just don't feel right, I feel quite bloated/headachy/hot and clammy...whatever it is that you feel.

Don't think so but my male GP is really good and I do trust him. I just know from experience I tend to downplay things because my family has an attitude of "just get on and deal with it".

Yes, try and be a bit more specific. He can't really help unless he understands the issues. What might be someone's 'out of sorts' is very different to another persons!
What makes you feel, not yourself, try to list things, even if they are small
Dizzy, woolly headed, unable to concentrate, mind wandering, anxiety, low sex drive, or whatever it happens to be

Just a thought, do you know it's def the pill making you feel 'not yourself'? Can you write down, before you see GP, a few words to describe how you feel? for ex - and I'm only guessing here as you've not specified - spaced out, tired, anxious, weepy, unusual periods?? That might help you find your words at the time. Maybe think too about whether other people ahve noticed a change in you - what have they said? for example a partner, mum, friends? Hope that helps.

"I don't really feel myself, and I think that it may be this Pill....do you think I could try a different one for 3-6 months and see if that suits me any better? Thanks"

Important facts are any breakthrough bleeding, bleeding after sex, migraines or 'unusual' or more freuqent headaches.

Have a look at the oral contraceptive info on nhs choices website today or tomorrow, so you'll feel a little more clued up!

But you won't sound pathetic, honest x

ah ha, great minds and all that!!

Thanks for the hints. The list of symptoms is a good plan.

I'm just guessing it's my pill that doesn't suit. I do tend to go in with "this is what's wrong with me"! perhaps I should let the GP diagnose for once.

timetosmile symptoms aren't physical - other than being knackered and what mother isn't?! It's more mental, like basket described.

Definitely second the advice to look at information about different types of pill - NHS Choices info is here. Good luck and I hope you and your doctor are able to figure out something to suit you better.