Why do Drs make me feel like a fraud?

[PavlovtheCat]

I have been hit with so many bugs this year, had 4 sinus infections, two throat infections, several non-specific viral infections.

I have had antibiotics 5 times this year (although I confess I only took it 4 times), been to the Drs a million times and had far too much time off work.

I went back again today as I have another bug 2 months since my last one. Oh you have a virus he said. I told him I know, and I would not normally have bothered coming to see him, I know the routine now, go home, rest, take paracetamol, drink lots of fluids. But, I told him I am sick of it and want to find out why I get sick so often.

He listened to me patiently, in that manner only Drs can, like 'yes dear, of course you are ill dear' and told me that sometimes people just get in a cycle with bugs and get them over again. Oh yeah great. Looked at my throat, bit sore, nothing significant, checked my chest, after making me cough several times, listening for ages on one side but not the other, he then said, you sound fine.

He asked me if I wanted some blood tests run, finally. He told me not to worry about the results he is sure they will be fine, but it is worth me having an MOT to put my mind at rest .

I came out of there feeling like a moaning old minny who should just pull her socks up and get on with it. Like I feel everytime I go.

The only time I seemed to be taken seriously was when I went in with a throat infection so severe the Dr wondered how on earth I had been able to eat.

Just moaning really. Rant over.

Poor you - I had this problem after birth of my last dc (9 years now), every bug going I caught it, even if it was a cold it always developed into something disgusting, laryngitis, pharyngitis, chest infections, sinusitis, pneumonia even. Try going to a homeopath - I did, and was given a few bits which at least didn't do any harm. The most important thing was have someone listen to you and take you seriously and I did feel better for having talked properly about everything without them metaphorically clock watching. It lasted for 12 months, and must have been something to do with the birth, although I had a reasonably straightforward pregnancy and birth. My GP ended up giving me a dose of antibiotics to take home with me so I could take them as soon as I felt unwell (she was very understanding and probably wasn't supposed to do it) and then I could go and see her rather than having to wait for an appointment before getting any treatment. I can't think of any magic cure, but you're not a hypochondriac, you're not going mad and you must keep going in to see the doctor. Perhaps try some of the vitamins/supplements from a health food place. I don't know how effective they are, but at least you feel you're doing something to help yourself. I hope you feel better soon.

Ha I know that feeling well.

The majority of GP patients (the vast majority) are those with chronic complaints or mild complaints that the GP can do bugger all about. It's very disheartening to see a parade of unhappy people who you can't help really so it's natural to just try and reassure people. It's not meant to be condescending (in the most part anyway ).

The fact that he's taking bloods is good, it could point to an underlying problem. But it is quite common to have a run of bad health started by a severe viral infection.

Try not to take it personally. It may just be that he has no clue what to do and doesn't know what to say to you. Also sometimes it may not be politically correct to say what things might help. My GP is of the 'no bull' type who will say things like 'of course you feel like shit, you have two children who keep you awake all night and you compensate by eating chocolate which mucks about with your blood sugar levels - duh!' (I like him, he's so unpopular with the old dears though!)

But you might want to think about taking every single opportunity to rest - I mean when the kids are in bed YOU go to bed. You also need to eat really healthily and make sure your body weight is correct. Ironically though you are too tired for it, exercise might also help kickstart your immune system.

Good luck hope you feel better soon.

thanks frostyfingers - I did start taking some vit supplements, I was taking astragulus, goldenseal root and vic c a few months ago, but I kept forgetting to take them, so many of em! I will start again, see if I can improve my health.

Thing is when I go to see Dr, they don't say oh you have this or that, it is always, 'viral infection', 'virus' 'nasty bug', which sort makes me feel even more like they are fobbing me off.

Funnily for the first year after DD I was fit as a fiddle, fitter than I usually am, I had no colds, no bugs. Dr said this was most likely in part due to nursing dd and secondly she was not at nursery and I was not at work so not around the bugs.

At first Dr said it was probably my return to work and DD at nursery as I was being exposed to germs again, that made sense, but I have been at work again since June 07 (and a bit before), to start with I was fine, and from I would say feb onwards it has been downhill.

Dr did say again today it was inevitable to get bugs like this as DD picks stuff up at nursery, but I am not sure my boss is seeing it that way.

Pavlov - sorry if this sounds patronising but are you really strict with hand hygiene? Offices are a pit of stink as far as bugs and having some alcohol hand gel is really sensible in avoiding a lot of them.

whomovedmychocolate - yes I am good with my hand washing! I work with some unhygienic people (not colleagues I hasten to add, although they might be!) and also change my pens often!

I don't have hand gel though, although my colleague next door does and I often pinch hers! I shall endevour to get some of my own though

Get the lemon one - it's much nicer! Available in most supermarkets these days too!