Very VERY angry with my GP!

[Weegiemum]

And I'm married to another one, so I am usually very sympathetic .....

For several years I suffered from recurrent kidney stones. Haven't had any for over a year, until last week, when I got a UTI, it travelled to my kidney and I have passed several stones this last week - also one today, still in there.

I have to admit that I have not always dealt with this well - I once took some medication from my husband's bag to try to deal with the pain and ended up in court when I confessed about it - got a probation order, which I served no bother and have never illegelly taken anything since (this was 4 years ago)

Today I went to the GP to ask about pain releif - looking for something like 30/500 co-codamol, tramadol if they were happy.

Instead, the doctor asked me what illegal drugs I was taking, wanted to refer me to the drug services locally, suggested that the vomiting in pain I was doing (in the surgery) was actually withdrawal, and said that they could not treat me.

I have NEVER taken an illegal drug. I am not a drug addict - I have occasional episodes of intense pain which are followed by me passing a kidney stone, which can be seen and sent to be analysed to prove it is a kidney stone.

I have seen a psychiatrist (for the court) who was convinced that I don't have a drug problem. I have provided numerous urine samples (witnessed - now thats a humiliating experience) to prove I am not addicted to anything. I've taken nothing stronger that normal OTC co-codamol for 4 years! (except when I was in hospital - and a scan showed stones!).

We moved house 2 years ago and I haven't had to see the GP in all this time - the one time I was in serious pain, I went to casualty and was admitted. So my new GP has never dealt with my stones and is making huge assumptions based on my notes which are out of date now.

I'm furious. My dh is furious. I am going to have to change doctors again, and that won't look good, but I cant walk back in there ever again, not for a sore throat or an infected toenail. He was very stroppy, very rude, incredibly arrogant, totally dismissive.

I don't even have the energy to complain.

Please tell me I'm not being ridiculous to be upset by this. I know I will always have to live with the consequences of my crime, but I feel I am being actively punished for it, and I am in a LOT of pain.

Weegimum I would like to add something else.

I have thought about this some more from my perspective as a mental health nurse.

I often assess people, some of whom have had problems with substance misuse. (and I know you haven't). Most experienced GPs or mental health workers should be able to tell (in the vast majority of cases) whether a patient still has a problem, or if that problem is now in the past. The assessment will be based not just on past medical notes, but on current presentation. Most patients that are being manipulative or lying will give that away very obviously by their non verbal communication.

I expect your own dh may agree with my thoughts on this. Clearly your GP isn't professional/experienced enough to be able to assess patients fairly and ethically. (imo)

I am very on your behalf that your GP has judged you in this way.

Obviously if a doctor (or other professional) has already made a judgment without the facts, then you are in a no win situation.

Good grief, you poor thing, my sister has just been discharged from hospital after a nasty bout of kidney stones, she's on a high dose of Tramodol and Co-Dydromal (sp?) Could you go to A&E if the pain becomes really unbearable and see if they will give you anything? Not ideal I know, but perhaps a short term solution?

roughly what are of glasgow are you in? i know a few lovely gps.

If this stone hasn't passed by this evening (when dh gets home - 7pm) then I will go to A&E, though I will probably have to go in overnight for painkillers,

In the meantime, I have managed to get a friend to pick dd2 up from school so I don't have to go out and talk to school gate mums etc - too hard for now, am doing all this typing standing up and tanking back the water to try to get it to pass sooner rather than later.

Will go out for a vigorous walk when dd2 gets home, that will help.

Southside, girrafes. Near Pollok Park.

Weegie, I am APOPLECTIC on your behalf. I was hospitalised with kidney stones at end of April (when I was 8 weeks pregnant) and I was SCREAMING with the pain. And I am not usually a wuss.

I am not bloody surprised you took morphine out of your DH's bag that time - it was the only thing that touched the sides of the pain when I was in hospital. Court? Supervised urine tests??? I have read some shocking things on Mumsnet but this takes the cake. Taking you to court was an unforgivable waste of taxpayers' money and it makes me despair.

HOW DARE your GP treat you this way!! Tbh I think it may partly be because your DH is a GP - there are lots of petty rivalries. I just hope you can find someone else. Meantime, just wanted to express my outrage and immense sympathy.

They put a blanket ban on without even speaking to you to hear what you had to say? No advice but I hope you can get something sorted out.

And I'm in no way suggesting this is what you'd ever do, Weegiemum, but that sort of atttitude from a GP could drive some people into the world of illegal drugs.

BTW, when I had acute apppendicitis there was a woman in with kidney stones. Boy, was I glad I only had a dodgy appendix - she was in agony.

Right ladies

Am off out for a vigorous walk round the park with dd2 (in her buggy - for hip condition - luckily she is only seen at the hospital for that! - give me something to lean on) and with my sick bag just in case!

Will be back later. A long fast walk sometimes joogles it along a bit and helps it to pass - a bit like going for awalk when you are in labour!

Thanks for being so nice to me.

Weegiemum - I don't know which surgery you are at but my one is on Kilmarnock Road (remant from when we lived in Shawlands) and I have always been very happy with them. Dh and I always make a point of seeing one in particular as we like him.

If you want to CAT me, I can give you their detials.

Of course, that is of no use if that is the practice yu are complaining about!

The nice ones I know of are in Anniesland and Scotstoun, so I suppose too far to join

Are you taking ibuprofen along side the cocodamol?

I don't know why they cant give you drugs when you obviously have this kidney stone problem, which they can obviously monitor if they want to. Can they not do something where you have to go and collect your daily dose from the pharmacy every day so as they know your not using them all at once or whatever.

I think perhaps your best bet is to get a sympathetic dr and explain really calmly that yes you have done this in the past, but are genuinely in pain and would like some help, explain your willing to do whatever to prove you are only going to take the reccomended dose eg being supervised when taking them or whatever. really feel for you

weegiemum. you poor thing... they sound like a bunch of officious wankers. i like my drs but they're west end.

oh and YES to the pain clinic. although there's an 8-9 weeks wait for an app at the mo, for gartnavel at least.

When you do change practices, why not make an early appointment with the new GP, with you dh present, at which you go through your history. Explain just as you have done on here, in al ess heated environment and when you are not in pain. Invite them to contact the specialists at the hospital so that they know that you do get these recurrent kindey stones.

Hopefully, that way when you do need a prescription, they will be more understanding.

Nice of them to have told you when they took you on that they would never prescribe you painkillers.

One more thought Weegiemum. Have you read your GP notes - particularly since the incident? I only ask because some health professionals write about patients in very judgmental and unprofessional terms (I know they shouldn't but some do still get away with it even in the 21st century)

If there is a possibility that what you did was documented (by a former GP for example) in a judgmental or negative way (rather than fair and factual) then this may account for part of your current treatment. (which has still been completely unacceptable). Afaik it is possible to challenge inaccuracies etc in your notes, and have them removed.

I am thinking that if this could be part of the problem, it may crop up again in the future.

Weegiemum
I am sorry for the pain you are in, and hope that it 'passes' soon.
But when you feel stronger I think you need to take up the GP's implication that your dh is involved in providing drugs for you. That could have a serious impact on his professionalism, and needs to be knocked on the head.
What a shame there isn't a qualification in bedside manner!!!

That's a good point about your notes. Becasue now your notes will "show" that yuo came in today "suffering from withdrawal"

You really should go to A&E so that that can be knocked on the head straight away.

And when you are calmer and in less pain, you should raise a complaint. Not least because they decided on a form of treamtent for you without ever having disucssed it with you.

I hope you are OK weegiemum.

I have kidney problems and it's very painful, so sympathy.

If you were in hospital, they could monitor any drugs, right? why wasn't this a possibility.

If it was me, I'd just go to A & E.

Hated tramadol and hated codeine. Both make you dopey rather than affecting the pain.

I was admitted to hospital with renal colic/kidney stones when I was 39 weeks pregnant and it was agony! I gave birth 4 days later and would choose labour and childbirth over kidney stones anyday! I would've also robbed anyone or anything of their painkillers at the time so do absolutely understand why you took from your DH's bag. I hope you are able to sort this soon.

I'm aghast that you have a confirmed diagnosis of kidney stones and they decided without seeing you first that they would refuse you pain control for it. It's barbaric. Assuming that you are being entirely truthful (and I am) about your history, they have no business doing so. Do complain. You must.

Hope A&E can sort you out with decent pain relief.

Would definitely write a letter of complaint enclosing the x ray of the kidney stones - hey, enclose the kidney stones!

GP sounds a complete tosser, they're found in every profession unfortunately, even the 'caring' ones.

I think your dh would also be justified in raising complaint about them casting aspertions on his professionalism.

Weegiemum - why don't you request a copy of your GP notes?

I know it can expensive but I really think it would be worhtwhile - esp as you say the practice have had a meeting about you when you signed on and decided they cannot ever prescribe painkillers.

I expect there is something in your notes that flags you up as a potential risk. And it is unlikely that your current GP is the one who put that comment/entry on your notes as you hadn't even seen them when they made this judgement - perhaps it was a previous GP.

You should be able to read and understnad what this issue is BEFORE you reg with a different GP practice so that when you reg you can go immediatley to meet your new GP when you are well and discuss the issues.

In the meantime - good luck with the stone - ouch ouch ouch....

how are you doing wm? aitch I didnt know you were a fellow glaswegian