How to be more assertive with GP?

[CharlieUniformNovemberTango]

I've been having issues with my stomach and beyond some blood tests two months ago feel that I'm pretty much being fobbed off.

I rang the GP today with pain in my lower right abdomen with lower back ache. Usually the pain is upper right area or central or upper left area. I've pretty much been told it's IBS or acid related but this new pain started yesterday and hasn't let up but it hasn't gotten worse either. They would only offer me a telephone appointment and he just repeatedly mentioned my previous visits and told me to just wait and see if the pain develops.

My other symptoms include extreme exhaustion (I cannot sit down in the afternoon or I will fall asleep) diarrhoea with urgency and stomach cramps, and this week has seen the start of dizzy spells. I have bruising to my legs. random aches in my arms/hands that sometimes tingle too. I just don't feel 'right'

Bloods all normal (iron, thyroid,liver function)

I haven't ever had blood pressure, urine or pulse type checks and only had my abdomen examined twice. I just get told it's dietry (following gluten free/FODMAP currently with minimal results)

I just feel like they don't believe me and I find it very difficult to be assertive. I feel really stupid saying this as normally I am fine to stand up for myself but seem to lose this around doctors.

I want them to do a proper health check. Maybe an ultrasound or something.

Should I write my symptoms down? Just ask for further tests? Will they think I'm attention seeking if I do? They seem pretty certain it's IBS but I would think they should rule out other stuff first.

Have you recently taken antibiotics? I only ask as I took a low dose for 3 months for acne then a high dose for a kidney infection. I suffered for 13 weeks with stomach pains, vomiting, diahorrea. All random pains all over my stomach. I had simply wiped out the food bacteria in my gut.
For 3 weeks I had to abstain from alcohol, caffeine, milk and other dairy products and spicy food. It was hard to find something to eat!
I took fibre tablets and suddenly everything cleared up. Just a suggestion for you if you hadn't thought of it.

If not, just ask for tests! The worst they can say is no.

Good bacteria not food!

Oh it's horrible isn't it - I'm in the same situation at the moment. Not the same symptoms, but feeling like I'm not getting anywhere. I always go in meaning to be more pushy but then it's hard to do that when you're there!

I've got an appointment this week and I'm going to ask "Who could I be referred on to please, as this isn't going away..."

No antibiotics at all for years as I'm normally healthy.

I might look at a probiotic though. I have tried eliminating all kinds from my diet to see if it makes a difference.

I take a multi vitamin and an extra iron tablet as in the past I've had low iron. Last bloods the GP said were a little low but not worth worrying about.

Op, do you see the same GP every time? if so it may be worth trying a different one, they may offer a different opinion (or if they say the same it may be in a more reassuring or helpful way).

That's a good line quiet. I'll try and remember that.

I don't know what it is about being at the doctor that reduces me to a meek mouse though!

If they think it's acid, have you tried taking Gaviscon Advance after meals to see if that helps at all?

No it's been different GPs.

Mostly it's been telephone appointments as they have a triage system and the doctor usually says to wait it out and see what develops. I think they have a script for these calls as it often sounds like they are ticking off questions like fever, nausea etc.

I only ever call in when the pain has been constant into the second day and I feel like it's interrupting normal life.

I am not a dr but your symptoms sound a lot like mine and i have crohns. I would definately Ask to be referred.

I have annandale.

I take a suppressant which does improve the quality of the diarrhoea (tmi sorry) If for some reason I don't take it or I eat spicey food I get the upper abdo pain so they queried an ulcer a while back but it was never followed up or confirmed. I don't know if they usually are though.

With this recent pain though, it's different. A whole new area. And my diet has been perfect.