GP won’t listen

[Herewegoagain22]

I’ve had ongoing health issues since the beginning of the year. Bloating, fullness after meals, and constant heartburn. I keep being told to increase my PPI and to come back if it’s doesn’t get better. Which I have 4 times. Doctor is testing me for Celiac but I doubt it will be that. I’ve now got a reoccurring pain in my pelvic area which has been for a month and now lower back ache. Doctor says I’ve lifted something heavy and to come back in 2 months if no changes. I’m sick of being pushed away. I know my body and something isn’t right. This pelvic pain when I bend, couch or move and lower back ache is worrying me. I’m tempted to phone NHS 111 and lay it on thicker than it is to see if someone will see me and do a scan. Doctor is refusing to do a scan, even though there is history of ovarian cancer in my family. Am I being unreasonable thinking of doing that? I’m at my wits end, and the GP service is useless

Is this the same GP each time? Can you see a different GP at the practice, or change practice? Have they previously done blood tests and examined your abdomen?
Thats not really what 111 is any good for, contacting them doesn’t mean you will get any better results tbh, is booking a private gynae appointment a possibility?

You could write to the practice manager and set out what you are unhappy with examination/treatment wise and request the GP do a referral.

There may be a reason the GP has no reason to suspect anything sinister, or a valid reason there is no clinical need for a scan, but they clearly haven’t informed you of this if you are so worried. I hope you manage to get something done.

I have seen three different doctors. I’ve had bloods done and an H-Pylori test which came back negative. One GP wrote to the GI team who said based on my symptoms they don’t want to do an endoscopy. So I keep getting push backs despite my concerns. My stomach pain and back pain is now concerning me as I believe it’s all related to my other symptoms. ‘Come back if it gets worse’….so I wait a number of weeks and go back to be told ‘it’s nothing come back if it gets worse’ and the cycle repeats…but at what point is it classed worse enough to do something? Because scans can often take months as is it. I’ve tried to go down private medical but they’re saying because I’ve been to my GP had PPI’s they’re classing that as an existing medical condition and won’t touch me!

Honestly, get a private scan. Even if you have to beg steal and borrow.

It will put your mind at rest at best or give you a diagnostic starting point. In my opinion there are times when private is the only way.

£350 for a private doctor consult + £300-£500 for a MRI scan, it's a lot but not completely impossible.

#edit to add another option total cost under £300 harleystreetultrasound.com/private-female-ultrasound-scan-services/private-pelvic-ultrasound/

I’ve tried to go down private medical but they’re saying because I’ve been to my GP had PPI’s they’re classing that as an existing medical condition and won’t touch me!

You can book a private gynae appointment whether you’ve been seen by a GP or not, I’d try a different private setting.

If 3 different Drs have been involved then it might be that none of you symptoms are actually ringing any alarm bells, but if that isn’t reassuring you then you really do need to see someone.

Just Google Spire hospital, your area, gynaecologist and give them a call. Seeing a GP and being on a ppi has got nothing to do with wanting a scan for ovarian cancer.

If It was me, if book another appointment, look them In the eye and ask them to go through their clinical reasoning which makes them so sure it’s not cancer. I bet they’ll book a scan that minute.

How old are you OP?

Just under £200 ultrasound direct saw me at a weekend deposit taken and then can pay balance on day. Absolutely no regrets spending the money.
Really informative and took their time. Came out knowing my fibroid was alive and very much there unlike when the nhs tried to say it disappeared only a month before during a hysteroscopy they put me to sleep for and seemed to go against their own scan.

GP surgery accepted my private scan result and put it on record. Then I start hearing from the nhs it was ah just buried to deep to deal with.

My fibroid started as a strange dullness, like I’m being squeezed in the lower abdomen.

If I had to go private again and it was viable to get answers that way I would.

You can get a private abdo ultrasound for about £200. I did when I had awful symptoms and I thought I was dying - it was just really bad reflux (I know a lot about reflux now). Had sickening back pain as well with it. Also had a uterine polyp simultaneously so you can have more than one issue causing pain.

I am having investigations atm. My consultant has told me that HPylori tests will come back negative if PPIs are not stopped for 14 days before the test. I did not realise that and clearly neither did my gp.

I had similar symptoms and excellent private health care which will fund whatever, and I was given an abdominal ultrasound. So I'd start there if you're looking at some private tests as they're not too expensive. I also had a colonoscopy but I did have rectal bleeding. My consultant said ultrasound is better than MRI for diagnosing these issues, and as money wasn't an issue I believed them.

If your GP practice has online consult, then I feel like it's always good to put things like this in writing. Keeping it short and factual. Make it clear again that you have a family history of ovarian cancer and you are displaying symptoms that are listed on the NHS website and that you feel it's important, given your family history, to get an ultrasound scan to rule it out.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms/

If you still don't get anywhere then I second Ultrasound direct if you can afford it. It's cheaper than private hospitals and you don't need a referral. I've had two scans at the Exeter branch and they were lovely.

You have seen 3 different GPs.

One GP has consulted with a gastro team who have not advised endoscopy.

It's not that they are refusing to do a scan - your clinical assessment does not meet the threshold that currently requires a scan.

If they send a request for one without you meeting the threshold, it will be refused.

Do not call 111 and 'lay it on thick' - ie. lie They are likely to send you back to your GP or alternatively if you lay it on too thick, an ambulance.

The GP service is not useless - you are being impatient.

Keep going, wait for the coeliac test results. If they are clear ask what the next step is from the GP.

Persist, but do not make assumptions that you know what is wrong from your 'gut feeling'. Diagnosis is a matter of ruling out things from the probable to the improbable. It takes time.

It’s weird the private consultant won’t see you. DH has been on PPI’s for over 10 years and the consultant spoke with him.

I have been to 2 funerals this year, a 53 year old who begged for help for a year and was told its probably nothing and didn't get a referral. Another aged 59 who waited 18 months and eventually got checked on holiday in Dubai. Both lost their lives because of GPs refusing to acknowledge they may have got it wrong g first time. If I could go jack, I would have flown my sister over to me and paid for surgery as soon as the GP discussed her first time but its too late now. Please get an ultrasound, I dont get it. It costs about £25 here and there's a polyclinic in most shopping malls. Why is the UK so closed to this?

Have you had a CA-125 blood test?

That is such a good question, presumably you can pay for one. With Ovarian especially they are a massive reassurance. Please do.

The worst advice I've have read in a long time. It's probably nothing serious, BUT, if it is serious time is of the essence. You do not have to accept poor service. Unfortunately, you may have to pay for it.

My MIL was ignored. She was dead age 48. She knew something wasn't right, yet she let white coat syndrome overrule her instinct. It cost her, her life.

If It was me, if book another appointment, look them In the eye and ask them to go through their clinical reasoning which makes them so sure it’s not cancer. I bet they’ll book a scan that minute.

I agree with this. Are they prepared to put it on your notes why they believe you absolutely don’t have cancer? And if so, what is their reasoning for this?

My friend is in palliative care after her back pain and vague urinary issues were put down to muscle strain. It’s very likely something benign but it should be properly checked out. If they refuse a scan again, ask for them to put it in your notes why they are refusing. I doubt they’ll want it on record in case they’ve fucked up. Be firm. If you are met by a brick wall, get a private scan even if you have to go into overdraft or borrow the money. You need to know what’s going on .

@Herewegoagain22 I have just posted something along similar lines and your thread was suggested to me. Did you get to the bottom of it? I hope you are feeling better and everything is okay.

GPs haven't got free access for all Ct scans, a lot get refused or have to fall within certain criteria. that's probably why they referred to Gastro. If Gastro say you don't fit criteria there's not much they can do for now.
Did the PPI help or not? If it persists then they could re refer.
How old are you?
Did they find any clinical abnormality in the abdomen or red flag symptoms of weight loss etc?
They could request an USS abdo/ LFT / anti TTG
That's for the heartburn and bloated side of things.
For the low back pain think they'd have to assess that separately.

Sorry pelvic pain- gynaecologist referral but Gp assessment first re examination etc
Just saw us an old thread sorry

@Valeriesimpleton Because we are obsessed with our beloved NHS and won’t accept that the world has changed.