Did taking a list of symptoms to your gp make any difference??

[menopausalmadam]

I am pretty sure I am peri-menopause and/or have an under-active thyroid.
I have printed out checklists of all my symptoms to take to my doctor.
When asked "So, what can I do for you today?" I usually say " Oh, I'm fine, just wondering if............?"
I always downplay symptoms or completely forget to mention things that are probably relevant.
I go away feeling that the gp could have 'done more'
So, is taking a printed list of symptoms helpful, or does it just make the gp think that you are trying to do his job?

Doctors don't really like lists tbh ( it's only a 10 min consultation!) but a few concise notes to help you is ok. Sounds like you need some fairly routine blood tests.

So when he asks "So, what can I do for you today?"
Can I just say "I think i'm peri-menopausal and may or may not have thyroid problems"
Or do I just start spouting off random symptoms and let him work it out?
I don't know why I'm so nervous. I think I'm worried he'll say there is nothing wrong and then it will just confirm I have become a crazy bunny boiling psycho bitch

TBH- have also replied on your other thread- unless you are going along for HRT then what are you expecting as the outcome?

If you are 45+ then it's likely to be peri meno and doesn't need a drs appt. unless you want HRT. If you are under 45 then maybe yes, as HRT is advised for early meno.

I took a post-it note of symptoms (that eventually turned out to be Crohns). That yellow sticky was still in my notes years later, including after moving house and presume up until they computerised everything.

...and in your case I would say what you are wondering it may be and describe symptoms when asked.

i usually forget something so in my case a list would be useful im not sure if a dr google list would be useful perhaps an actual list of your actual symptoms?

I took a list to the GP when I went in with my son. I did so to make sure I mentioned what I was worried about, what I thought was wrong, and what I wanted from the consultation. I also wanted to be focused as there are only ten minutes. I think it worked well and both my son and I got a chance to talk. BTW, I'm a GP. From the other side of the table, I don't mind at all when people come with lists (if not too long!!) as I can address what worries them rather than barking up the wrong tree. No ones trying to catch anyone out, just to use the time effectively.

I took a list of a dozen seemingly unrelated symptoms and was lucky enough to have a GP who listened, did blood tests and referred me to two different specialists. Turned out to be a pArathyroid issue. So yes, I would.

I too have an appointment tomorrow to discuss what i think may be an underactive thyroid.

I am planning to say that I think I may have this and could I have a blood test, then answer whatever questions I need to from the GP. I am trying to steel myself tbh, I find this particular doctor a bit stressy as she is very no nonsense.

pinkfrocks, I am assuming that the OP is having distressing symptoms and wants to find out what is happening? Not unreasonable. Also if it is a thyroid issue it could be treated.

Thanks all. My gp always seems a bit rushed and as soon as he starts asking questions, it feels like a quick fire round.
I am sure I am in peri which I am not expecting 'treatment' for, it's more to find out if my thyroid is playing up. I know the symptoms of both can be quite similar.
I will go in whith a 'summery' of symptoms rather that the 14 page essay I have compiled though.

Useful thread, as I'm off to see my GP in half an hour.

I posted a while back about my changing [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2305934-Back-to-GP-for-periods]] (heavier, more painful and irregular). I had seen a GP and, although he was very sympathetic, it did seem like he hadn't really taken my symptoms very seriously.

Anyway, I went back and saw different GP armed with a post it note of symptoms was taken very seriously. I'm going back this morning for the results of my ultrasound and blood tests. I listed the dates of my last 5 periods, what medication I take and how many tampons of each size I get through. I think this painted a better picture of the problem than me just blurting out "well, they're irregular and heavy and I hurt"

Whoops, link fail. should say: I posted a while back about my changing periods

I would make a list and then condense it into brief notes. Tell him upfront about the most pressing symptom and/or the most easily investigated, e.g. extreme tiredness, painful periods. I would stick to a maximum of three or four which all seem to relate, and then keep the others on the back burner and wait for him to ask.

Oops, I have wildly jumped to the conclusion that your doctor is male there.

Yes - trying to convince the gp I'm ill not depressed has always been hard for me as I just start sobbing. Generally as I'm finding life so hard, generally because my thyroid hormones aren't right and latterly what turned out to be low ferritin and some issue with sertaline causing awful muscle issues.

I sobbed to one gp "I'm in so much pain and can't lift my arm" and was told "well depression expresses in different ways, up your sertaline"

So I went back and listed everything I was struggling with, (eg lifting kettle) all my pains and weird sensations etc. Only then did we get anywhere. I had to really think about the right words to use to describe symptoms. I literally had itchy bones, googled it and reached rls - although my ferritin was 55 I was having very bad rls all over, plus lost muscle, cramps etc. And strange attacks of muscle tightening.

I think a very business like list bullet pointed etc really helps, even to hand over with a "I don't know if any of this is of clinical significance but ..."

Gps are told to 'think horses, not zebras' but sometimes you need to hit on the right words to help them consider possible causes and prioritise tests effectively.

I also wrote "hyper mobility syndrome- could it be an issue?" (Two sports physios had said I was extra bendy despite me feeling stiff) And it happened that this gp really did think it could be a big thing and I've since been diagnosed with it.

I wish aged 20 id done this as sobbing to gp saying I can't stop sleeping led to antidepressants and me becoming very ill indeed as the hypothyroidism was missed for some time. If I'd known constipation was a symptom and listed any other bits it might not have been like that.

I guess there's a fine line between health anxiety (I've got xyz etc) and recognising that lots of things can be nothing and a couple of low level things can be quite major but letting the gp make the decisions.

I didn't really twig that taking paracetamol and ibu daily for over a year and still being in pain might be an issue

I think because all the symptoms are 'hidden' rather than 'visual' makes it harder to 'convince' the gp that the symptoms are actually 'real'
If you go with a huge pustulating purple wart the size of a dinner plate on your forehead, then it's pretty obvious what the problem is (You would like to think so anyway )
Describing what kind of pain it is or how tired is tired can be very personal. Maybe he'll think I must be exaggerating. Maybe my mind numbing pain and complete and utter exhaustion is somebody s normal.
Just wish I could point to the big pustulating purple wart the size of a dinner plate on my forehead and he would know exactly what was wrong..........

Yep. The joy of invisible illnesses! Having had this repeatedly since 20 I even struggle to convince myself I might be unwell sometimes!

Absolutely. Had it not been for my long, long list of symptoms, I wouldn't have been given levothyroxine, I'd never have had my antibodies checked, and I'm pretty sure I'd be in bed right now still thinking I was dying.

My GP reviewed my symptoms when I'd left and got in touch with me three days later.

I took a list because my memory is so poor. GP put it in the bin without looking at it. Then misdiagnosed me. Thanks to mumsnetters I got the confidence to challenge her. We are programmed to struggle on. Personally, I feel that because my illnesses are invisible and plural, folk will think I am exaggerating. It's really only been since mumsnet that I have dealt with it. The confidence of knowing I am not alone (sadly lots of us out there totally exhausted) and knowing what to say has helped me get better.
I wish I had used the list myself rather than handing it over.