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

General health

How do you know if you're wasting Dr's time?

87 replies

Pyrrhagena · 15/06/2014 09:01

Have a doctors appointment tomorrow (smear, can't get out of it, I've already cancelled once) and there's something I'm not sure if I should mention or not. How do you know if it's something you should ask about or if it something that means they will think you are crazy and paranoid?

OP posts:

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Pyrrhagena · 15/06/2014 11:18

But if there is nothing to show, how do I know it's not in my imagination? I'm driving myself round in circles, aren't I. Just even thinking about maybe having to go to the doctor is enough to start me panicking and now it's a reality that I have to face tomorrow! I feel sick and hollow and have a racing heart and it's not even tomorrow yet...

It's two different doctors. I won't see the GP tomorrow, I'll see the gynaecologist (same as who operated and I had whilst pg with DC2) who is nicer. Maybe that's unfair, I've seen my GP twice in about 5 years.

I did call the GP after a week or so Number because paracetamol wasn't touching the pain and I needed to know if I could take something stronger as was bf DC2. So, I'd probably already made a nuisance of myself before I asked for an appointment.

OP posts:

orangepudding · 15/06/2014 11:29

The gynae is exactly the person to describe your erratic bleeding with. Many people don't see a dr with problems straight away or have any proof other than their word.

TheNumberfaker · 15/06/2014 11:32

How do we know that anything is not in our imagination.???????? I think therefore I am. It hurts (and I can't reasonably explain why) so go and talk to the doctor.

Perhaps you could also talk to the doctor about your anxiety?

TheNumberfaker · 15/06/2014 11:34

That was meant in a supportive way.

fubbsy · 15/06/2014 12:20

There is often nothing to see when people describe their symptoms to doctors. That's why they use xray, ultrasound, MRI scans, blood tests, etc etc. Honesty, you won't be wasting anyone's time.

Also, doctors know very well that sometimes people do get better without any treatment. That's also part of their job, to know when to offer treatment and when to wait and see.

anuisance · 15/06/2014 13:13

They even operate on people because someone is saying that they have a problem which cannot be seen.
I should know, it happened to me.

I had a problem which could not be seen.
They opened me up to have a look, and found the problem.

That happens to people quite a lot.

PicandMinx · 15/06/2014 13:46

By all means mention your concerns. You have an appointment with a gynaecologist for a smear?

Pyrrhagena · 15/06/2014 15:38

Yes pic, I do.
And no number I can't. I'll be just desperately trying to get through the appointment.

OP posts:

PicandMinx · 15/06/2014 16:23

OP, why are so anxious about your appointment?

ppplease · 15/06/2014 16:28

You seem to have a big fear of "looking crazy"

Does that fear come from somewhere?

Pyrrhagena · 15/06/2014 18:44

Because I hate having to go to the doctor. They look at you, ask you questions and I never know what the correct answers are. You never know what is going to happen, what they are going to ask. I probably won't even have DC2 to draw attention away from me as he usually insists DC are left with the nurse at reception unless they are busy.

OP posts:

LizzieMint · 15/06/2014 18:49

It's their job to deal with you though. They are not trying to catch you out by asking questions, just trying to find out information.
I do sympathise because I'm going to the docs tomorrow too for a problem I've had for years and I do think they are going to wonder a) why it's taken me so long to go and b) if it's that big a deal if I've lived with it for ages.

ppplease · 15/06/2014 19:06

The way I look at is, yes it is their job.
If no one went to the doctors/went very infrequently, a lot of them wouldnt have a job.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 15/06/2014 19:53

There is no correct answer OP, they aren't trying to catch you out.

If you don't tell them what is wrong, they can't help you!

With your history and now the erratic bleeding you absolutely should be telling the GP. They won't think anything of it. The worse thing people can do is go and tell the GP they are fine, when they aren't.

TheNumberfaker · 15/06/2014 23:15

The correct answer is just to tell the truth!

Pyrrhagena · 16/06/2014 05:58

I don't believe that for one second number. You can tell by their reaction if you've misspoken and then it gets complicated trying to backtrack. But I shall try to remember to mention the pain and bleeding.

He will also be pushing for me to go on the mirena I think (he did last time, but I refused as I was bf) and I have no real reason apart from I don't want to mainly because I've heard too much bad about it.

Today is going to be a long day...

OP posts:

Helpys · 16/06/2014 07:03

You absolutely have to speak up Pyrrha!
The Dr won't think you're crazy, it would be crazy not to mention these symptoms.
BTW, seeing 'crazy' patients is a big part of a Drs caseload, I've been several times with health anxiety- ie I'm worried I'm I'll when I'm not and general anxiety. Without fail the GP has sent me off for reassuring tests and talked me down. It's had no ramifications for nuts and bolts care, where I've presented with a simple fixable problem and I'm always treated kindly and fairly. I'm sure your GP will be the same, although the symptoms you describe are far from, 'wah I'm worried pay me some attention' which tbh I've been to the drs with before
The Dr won't think you're crazy.

ppplease · 16/06/2014 07:31

You are treating it like an exam.
But essentially you have it the wrong way round.
He is there for you. It is his job to treat you correctly.

You can sue him if he gets it badly wrong. I dont think that I have ever heard of a doctor suing a patient.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 16/06/2014 08:13

What do you mean 'misspoken'? They're just people OP and they want to know what's wrong with you so they can help, it's their job.

They won't think you're crazy. You do seem very anxious about this OP, overly so. How long have you been worried about this sort of thing? They can't help you of you don't tell them what's wrong, they can't guess.

How about writing things down before you go so you won't forget what to say and all your concerns are on paper. It might help you to describe what's wrong rather than try and explain once you're there.

I'm a nurse and I've told parents to write questions down before, it does help.

weegiemum · 16/06/2014 08:31

Are you in the uk, op?

Just you mention that it was a "waste of money" last time, and are seeing a gynaecologist for a smear, which is normally done by the practice nurse.

I have a phobia of hospitals/healthcare but I'd never worry I'd "mis-spoken", in fact I'm not exactly sure how you could unless you are very, very rude? It sounds like you're awfully worried about "looking silly".

In my situation I appreciate that this is ironic, but I'm actually married to a GP! He's trained to listen, evaluate your symptoms, examine you if need be, and then make a diagnosis or refer you on to a specialist who can do that. He's not worrying about you "mis-speaking" - but wants to find out if there is really something wrong and then deal with it. They'll have seen it all before and 1000x worse. Just be honest!

weegiemum · 16/06/2014 08:32

Sorry, saw your post about GP and gynae!

Pyrrhagena · 16/06/2014 09:13

No. GP's don't deal with "women's stuff" have to go straight to a gynae. I can't really afford to go to the doctors unless I really have to, but this I do have to go to. I can't cancel it now anyway as I'd still have to pay.

As long as I can remember pobble. More so since I did say the wrong thing once and they shut me in a little side room and held me so I had to look at them. It took every ounce of energy to get them to let me go. You never know what they are going to ask you or how they are going to react to what you say or if you are saying the right thing. And you have to say something else it also looks bad. And they put their hands on you.

OP posts:

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Pyrrhagena · 16/06/2014 09:24

Do I also need to mention that I can seemingly no longer use tampons properly or is that just something that is to be expected after having had DC?

OP posts:

TheNumberfaker · 16/06/2014 09:25

Well if you're not in the UK and you have to pay to see a doctor then they are in your service (still the same in the UK just indirectly via taxes).

There cannot be a wrong answer. Just symptoms that you need to tell the doctor about. For example, several people could all go to see the doctor about abdominal pain. It will take further questioning and possibly tests to determine of it's just indigestion or appendicitis or gall stones or an ectopic pregnancy or many other things.
Can you change doctor if you are unhappy about yhe way you being treated?

TheNumberfaker · 16/06/2014 09:28

Mention the tampon issue to your gynaecologist.

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