Lost my GP

[oesa]

Hi all. I lost my GP of 8 years a few months ago - he has a young family, and moved from regular practice to something that would allow him to spend more time with them. He was great - we had a really good working relationship, and I'm just not clicking with his replacement.

Well, I bumped into my old gp at a social event today, and was suddenly really sad about losing him. I feel almost adrift - my nephro and my rheumy are great, but I always felt that my GP was keeping all of the balls in the air so to speak, and I don't have that sense with the new one. That he actually cares at all in fact. Maybe I'm just blue, but has anyone else ever felt like they've lost a friend when a doctor moves on? I actually miss him - I didn't go in often, but I felt really secure in knowing that there was someone there for emergencies, someone who knew me, and who never doubted my ability to tell when something wasn't right. It makes me realize how lucky I was, and how difficult it's going to be to reestablish that kind of relationship, but it also makes me really sad that it's gone.

I feel a bit petty even mentioning this - I know so many on the boards are having terrible trouble with docs, but right now I think I'm going to have a little pity party for myself and mourn the loss of my trusted gp. Mike, I'll miss you.

Lisa

[LilliesPad]

Hi Lisa,
I dont think your being petty at all. I have a great GP also who sounds alot like your old one. I really trust him and he knows me so well and also never questions my complaints. He has recently cut back his hours at his clinic to only 3 days a week now and it made me wonder if he is considering retirement. It actually made me feel panicky to think of loosing him! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/afraid.gif Good docs are so hard to find and when you have such a baffling illness as ours it's even harder to come across one who knows his stuff. Good luck with his replacement or in finding one to replace him. I hope I wont be in your shoes too soon.

I'm feelin your pain & understanding your loss,
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/worried.gif

[Joandublin]

Hi Lisa style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif

No you are not being petty style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

For someone with a chronic illness, having a caring and understanding GP can mean the absolute difference between coping well and not coping at all.

I would never under-estimate the power that having a good doctor can have on our lives. And yes...they do almost become like friends. I am quite sure there are things our GP's know about us and our bodies that no one else in the world knows. That is a special kind of bond.

So it is very sad to lose a GP style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif I just wish you strength and patience in developing a similar relationship, over time, with the new one.......

Luv n stuff
Joan style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[helloos]

Hi Lisa.
I can understand where you are coming from. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, trust, he understands and listens to you, he helps you, treats you good, then it does feel like he is a friend. Some docs have a friendly personality while others just have Dr. House's attitude.

I lost my gyno who actually committed suicide because she had her hand surgically repaired and I believe was going to be unable to perform surgeries anymore, that is one of the reasons I can up with it. She was the best gyno, very soft touching, very nice, very soft spoken, and then gone. It does stink.

I am glad that you do still like the docs you have, that is important.

[lin]

Lisa How terrible for you ,we hsve a good Gp and don't want to loose them, more so when he or she is a goods one........ and that acn take some time for some ppl to get a good one...... hope your next one wil be as good for you here's hopeing xxxxxxxxxxxxxxLin style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

[oesa]

Thanks all for your kind words. My sister had a good suggestion - to ask my old gp for a referral to someone he thinks I might like. It could be considered pulling strings (which is generally frowned upon in our health care system) but I think I can probably overcome my scruples just this once... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Lisa

[lin]

you go for it lol style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Fishaholic]

I have a wonderful GP. If he were to leave, I would actually feel scared. I have been seeing him for 4 years. I have to see him every couple of weeks at least as there is always something playing up that needs looked at, or blood tests coming back wrong! He knows my problems. He has been great and hugely supportive in applying for benefits, care, etc... We also work as a team and discuss what we should do. We sometimes disagree and compromise!

There was recently a chance of me moving away for my job. Losing him was a major reason I didn't want to go and one of the reasons I was relieved the move didn't in the end go ahead.

I think your GP is a hugely important doctor. He is your go-between for everything else, from consultants, to care, to physio, to benefits. No wonder you're upset at losing a good one. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hugbetter.gif

I think your sister's idea is great. I say try it!