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Original poster

Help me get the best out of my GP appointment tomorrow please

16 replies

ExasperatedSigh · 28/05/2013 22:28

Going to the GP tomorrow about a range of vague but unpleasant symptoms that have been going on for about a month, maybe more:

nausea, especially after eating
metallic taste in mouth
nagging pain on right hand side of abdomen (between hip and belly button level)
cramps in my gut after eating
unreasonable amount of wind (I am windier in general since having kids but the farting is getting out of control!)
unreasonably tired all the time
the occasional quite mucus-y poo

Now I know what you are all going to say but I am not pregnant - have done two pg tests in the last couple of months precisely because of all this and both were negative. Periods are normal and regular.

The symptoms aren't all present all the time, they come and go, but they've been showing up to varying degrees for several weeks now and it's pissing me off. I did start taking an iron and B vitamin supplement recently which has helped a bit with the tiredness but still I just don't feel right.

My diet hasn't changed - I eat pretty healthily, cook from scratch, don't drink a huge amount, do have some sugary stuff and booze from time to time but nothing OTT. Am a SAHM (DC are 4.5 and nearly 2) and don't get any targeted exercise, which I know isn't so great, but do spend an awful lot of time running around after the small ones.

Any thoughts on what I should I be asking about, or asking for? I'm not convinced my GP will be any use, based on the one time I have seen him for DS (new practice), so would like to have some ideas other than just 'I feel shit all the time, please sort it out'.

Thanks :)

OP posts:

WannaBeANinja · 28/05/2013 22:42

tell him exactly what you have just told us. Write it down and read it out to him. I always add a note in my phone- if I don't I'll walk out and have a DOH! moment
Take your phone In and record the consult if it will benefit you by listening back after your appt.

Good luck

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 28/05/2013 22:45

Thanks Ninja :) I'm laying money on him waving me away with an instant diagnosis of IBS

OP posts:

WannaBeANinja · 28/05/2013 23:01

:) he probably will, that's what mine did but I persisted and went back.

do you have a coil??

the second doctor I seen I think was going to go for IBS again untill i mentioned that I had one. He'd recently read a paper on women with similar symptoms who all had coils- a blast with really strong ABs is what was recommended. Possibility of a low lying infection around coil site.
Worked for me :)

However if you dont have a coil I've just typed all that for no reason

hope you get sorted whatever it is.

WannaBeANinja · 28/05/2013 23:02

try peppermint tea- supposed to be good for IBS :)

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 29/05/2013 00:55

Have you considered coeliac disease?

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 07:54

lol Ninja, I already drink gallons of the stuff Interesting about the coil - I don't have one but have been considering getting one put in.

LongGone, it had crossed my mind. I thought it was a lifelong thing though? I don't know much about it, tbf.

OP posts:

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 08:17

Just reading about coeliac disease...if nothing else, I've learned something new today :)

OP posts:

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 29/05/2013 13:03

Quite a lot of my family have it - it's life long once you get it but can develop at any time. It's autoimmune. Sounds quite a lot like your symptoms particularly the fatty stools.

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 17:23

GP's diagnosis was...oral thrush

Interesting that he didn't ask me about my periods. Really wish I hadn't had to move practice when we moved house, I have no faith in this guy at all.

OP posts:

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 18:44

According to NHS website, symptoms of oral thrush are sore throat and difficulty swallowing. I don't have either of those. FFS.

OP posts:

WannaBeANinja · 29/05/2013 19:25

go and see another doctor. Ring the surgery tomorrow and ask for an appt but state that you want a different GP.
book a longer appt if you can and take through your stptoms, also question his diagnosis, ask why he has made this diagnosis and why.

don't just sit down and be quiet if you don't agree with what they have said!
Stand up and be heard :)

Good luck

Delayingtactic · 29/05/2013 19:45

I would see someone else of you have no faith. But I wouldn't expect an all-encompassing diagnosis at the end of it. I would however expect basic bloods to be arranged and a follow-up plan arranged. You have a lot of vague symptoms which don't obviously point to something and I think you probably won't get an answer straight away. It might be a bit of trial and error with food exclusions etc before you feel better.

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 19:53

Yes, I will.

I did query it with him at the time and said I was expecting maybe bloods to be taken, but he said my symptoms 'don't point that way' and that I was welcome to go back if not better after Nystatin treatment (so another couple of weeks).

He didn't ask about my periods, my diet, any family history. According to the internet, low iron can be a cause of oral thrush, as can diabetes which runs in my.family.

This is the same doc who claimed DS had slapped cheek when I took him in with a flaring pin prick rash on his face and neck. It was blatantly not slapped cheek, DS had no other symptoms and wasn't ill.

I will just have to remember to ask not to see.him in future.

OP posts:

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 19:55

I realise this all makes me seem like a total green ink ranter btw Not sure why it has upset me so much.

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Happymonkeyboys · 29/05/2013 20:53

Hi ESigh. Could you go back to a different GP and ask if they will refer you for a scan of your abdomen and ovaries? I don't want to alarm you but your 'vague' symptoms shouldn't be overlooked - they remind me so much of my Mum in her latter years. Just say you want a scan as you remember symptoms are similar to (insert close maternal relative) who had ovarian cancer.

PLEASE understand this is most likely a digestive problem as people have said but by doing this you will get reassurance and a scan will pick up any cysts too. I was diagnosed with IBS many years ago but found I was intolerant to milk. Your best plan to pick up intolerance is to cut out milk and dairy products for 2 weeks. Then introduce milk back in but cut out wheat for 2 weeks. Your body will then respond accordingly.

I'm sorry if i've upset you. I guess my own experience has made me overly cautious and concerned.

Original poster

ExasperatedSigh · 29/05/2013 23:03

No need to apologise Happymonkeyboys, you are right to raise it and I must admit the possibility concerns me too. I know that ovarian cancer is very under-diagnosed. Sorry to hear about your mum :(

My cousin has just recovered from bowel cancer, after having an awful lot of serious life-changing surgery. She's only in her twenties and was fobbed off for months by her GP with vague references to 'digestive issues'. It can be so hard to spot as there are so many things that share symptoms, but always worth checking for these things, I would say.

I will definitely get a second opinion :)

OP posts:

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