[greenheart]

:huh::angry: hi to everyone, just to give you an update on my frustrating situation, whent to see a different doc ystday and explained i was not happy with my own docs treatment of my illness, to get to the point he refused to take over my case and for some strange reason babbled on about placebo medication and said i know you must feel paranoid i have no idea where this came from and if i wasnt paranoid before i sure am now, im not one for visiting the docs for no good reason, i wont be going back to my surgery again i feel embaressed:blush: and cried all the way home, i dont know what im going to do now, i just wish i could be taken seriously but feel i will spend the rest of my life never understanding whats going on with my body please help. anna:sigh:

 

[Katharine]

Good grief!!

You have every right to feel that way. Sounds like your search is not over. I'm so sorry, it is very frustrating. You will get there in the end but, as for many of us, it may take some time.

I'm sorry I can't help more.

Katharine

 

[cad]

Hi Anna,
Are you in the uk, i get the impression you are?

If you have the strength and you are then i suggest you make a phonecall to your local primary care trust and explain how you feel, you can complain directly to them or the practice manager of your surgery.
Its funny sometimes we think we're just being silly for kicking up a stink but sometimes that's how far we actually have to go to be taken seriously.
And its funny how the outcome of kicking up a stink can actually be quite surprisingly sympathetic and reassuring.
I am so sorry you have had a nightmare but all i can suggest is to chanel your frustrations into confronting and challenging such unexceptable practice. If doctors like that aren't put in their place then they will never change!!!
Just go above their head and humiliate them, thats what i say!!!

Hope things work out for you and you manage to get some support and proper care and treatment.

Good luck

Cassie

 

[greenhaggis]

Anna,

Definately make an appointment with the Practice Manager to discuss what needs to happen next, they should be able to smooth things over (its part of their job)!

As far as I'm aware at a practice no GP has the sole right to see you - you can see any doctor to discuss health issues - I know I can at my practice! They all are able to read and write and see whats already happened from your medical notes to follow on with! I do know I have a designated GP but thats only really used for home visits etc as GPs all cover different addresses!

Unfortunately perhaps in hindsight you have approached getting help from another GP in the wrong way - but that can still be resolved by talking to the Practice Manager.
Its not always good to tell another GP that you dont like another one in the practice - a bit political! What you do need to remember is to stick to the point and remember its your health that your there to sort out with whatever GP you wish to see.

Keep strong and please pluck up the courage to go and get things at the surgery sorted!

Lesley

 

[greenheart]

hi lesley,i just said to the doc that i felt that my original doc wasnt progressing in the right direction and would it be possible for me to see someone who specializes in autoimmune diseases, new doc said he felt he couldnt do this and said if i have a problem with my doc i should tell her, i explained that i havebut she hadnt a clue which avenue to explore regarding my health. anna

 

[greenheart]

hi cassie, im in the uk, my daughter said i should report them both but im a bit scared as im on anti-depressants and they may say im off my trolley even though i know im sane my daughter said the docs are there to help and what if someone who was ill mentally had been treated like that they may have jumped off a cliff , ive lost my cofidence. anna

 

[greenheart]

thanks for reply, i dont expect people to always come up with answers its just good to sound off now and again, i feel shocked and numb after the experience and my hubbie has suggested moving house how desperate is that. anna

 

[Katharine]

Hey Anna,

I'm sorry my last post was very short, I was rushing out.

I'm not surprised you have lost confidence but I think your daughter is right and that you need to report this. The thing is you absolutely need a good GP behind you and you obviously don't have one now.

I went through many years of doctors telling me I was stressed, overworked, having difficulty dealing with my divorce... they didn't quite say I was depressed - probably knew I'd have gone for them if they did!! It did take me a while to find a good GP but when I did he was worth his weight in gold and suspected I had lupus long before we got confirmation. He's not obsessed with blood tests and really listens to the patient. He is far from an expert on auto-immune diseases but he always looks things up or phones my rheumy when he has the slightest hesitation.

You mustn't give up and you have to believe in yourself. As one of my old bosses used to say to me "Believe in yourself and others will believe in you".

sending loads of strengthening hugs winging their way to you,
:grouphug2:

Katharine

 

[greenhaggis]

Anna,

When I was having same problems with y Rhuematologist I wrote to my PCT complaining about his incompetance and they allowed a referral to an Immunologist! I then did not have to see the Rhuemi!

With all your symptoms it sounds like you should be seing a specialist i.e. a Rhuematotologist. Write to your PCT with your symptoms and medical history along with any family history requesting a referal to a Rhuematologist. Explain why about the bad treatment at your GP surgery ad that they arnt in your eyes dealing with your health correctly.

Also ask them for a transfer to another surgery due to these problems.

I would also say in letter that you will take matters to local MP and papers if necessary to make people aware of problems that you occuring (you dont have to do the letter, but it helps to make them sweat!).

Good Luck

Lesley

 

[greenheart]

thanks katharine maybe thats where im going wrong i need more self belief,my daughter and husband were so angry, anyway i will bounce back in some way i always do,life goes on. anna

 

[greenheart]

thanks lesley, what does pct meen, i will discuss options with my husband this evening as i feel very let down thanks for your help i wish i had your courage. anna

 

[Willow34]

Hi! I am shocked at what that doctor said to you! I have gone through sort of the same thing over here (I am from Canada). The worst experience I had was waiting to see a specialist for 6 months (I could have seen someone else earlier, but he was the only one who was here in my home town). Six months of waiting to see him... and all he did in the appointment was eat his lunch! I felt so low - like I was intruding on HIS time!

Since then, when I go see a doctor (even my GP who is very very nice), I have anxiety attacks. lol I feel so sick to my stomach and avoid going to doctors at all costs.

My point is that what happened to you is unethical and unwarranted. He has no right to talk to you that way. Where do some of these doctors get their degree?? Do they miss all the classes on dealing with people and patients??? Just boggles the mind!

I am so sorry you had to experience this....but don't end up like me. It has been over 15 years now that I don't know what is wrong with me. My thyroid has since been attacked and doesnt' work anymore... and now my lungs and skin are being affected.

You know your body better than anyone - and if you feel there is something wrong, there is! Fight this. It is your right to have answers and to know what is going on... and even more so, to be treated with dignity and respect when you go to these people for help!

I am going into med school next fall... and I can tell you, all these experiences have taught me so much, but most of all they have taught me the importance of listening to your patient and to treat them with the dignity and respect they so much deserve.

 

[greenhaggis]

Anna, for starters try googling Grampian Primary Care Trust (is that area covering Peterhead!).

I know my health visitors gave me the address of my Primary Care Trust, but perhaps they are listed in Yellow Pages!

Primary Care Trust is the department name for local health authority in England and I think its the same for Scotland too! It might be wise to reasearch the correct Trust for your area and find the correct person to direct a letter to! The Practice Manager at your GP surgery should be able to provide this information as well!

Lesley

 

[Lily]

((((((((((Anna))))))))))) I am infuriated you were treated like this :hugbetter:

The others have given you good suggestions, one other thing I think that would be helpful to you is to get copies of those tests that said you "tested positive for autoimmune disease" which you mentioned when you first came here. Actually before you go ahead with your complaint I would do that. Those results will be vital to helping you get correct treatment and also we may be able to help you understand what they mean a little better and guide you in what the doctor should be doing from there.

Many hugs and strong strengthening vibes coming your way. A lot of us have had to change docs.

I was lucky in that I changed docs within the same practice and was treated far better by the second one. He was more thorough and instrumental in getting me the specialist care I needed (this is something that you really need). The other one didnt know what the heck he was doing but would not admit that either. I don't mind if they don't know, just don't throw it back on the patient and try and make out they have nothing wrong with them or they are over-reacting.

Hang in there and get those copies, you are entitled to them and they will be very helpful to you.

love
Lily

 

[LolaLola]

Hello Anna, Put the blame back where it belongs-on those who are not caring for you. You have done nothing wrong. And do not worry that you will be seen as being difficult, so many of us have been there and generally you are treated a lot more carefully as a result.
x Lola

 

[greenheart]

thanks to all your replies, today i discoverd the test i tested positive to was called SMA SMOOTH MUSCLE ANTIBODY,which is used to detect autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis a liver biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis as my lft was abnormal it is all starting to make sense. lesley grampian does cover peterhead so thanks for your help. willow i think do to your illness and experiences you will make a wonderful doctor and i wish you well with your exciting career keep intouch i would like to know how your getting on:bow:. lola and lillythanks for the great advice and support what a nightmare all this is lots of love anna.ps im not an alchoholic and rarely touch the stuff but docs continue to ask if i drink

 

[KarolH]

Anna,

I have gone from you are depressed, anxious, possibly mentally ill...........to you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, next was Fibromyalgia then in 2005 it was Multiple Sclerosis.

Today I was told you dont have MS but probably either Lupus or a MCTD.......oh, and i was just dx with Lyme disease.

Moral of the story, you know your body better then any MD on the face of this earth. STAND YOUR GROUND AND KEEP PUSHING FORWARD. You will get answers eventually, this much I promise you.

If your GP is not good then move on and find one who works with you not against you. There are plenty of them out there.

Gently hugs to you. I know first hand how frustrating it can be when your hanging out in Limbo Land hoping for answers. Hang in there and do not give up your quest for answers.

 

[Lily]

Hi Anna,

Well that's a good start knowing that. I take it that your ANA was negative then? People with Lupus don't usually have a positive Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody but it is possible to have a couple of autoimmune processes going on at the same time. If you had very specific symptoms of Lupus then they should be looking at that possibility. In the meantime are you under the care of a Gastoenterologist? That is who would look after any liver problems whether they are due to autoimmune or otherwise. They too, need to know you tested positive for this. If you aren't seeing one then I would insist upon a referral, that is the way forward.

Here's some more info on the Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody test:

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/asma/test.html

love
Lily

 

[elainepink]

You are not alone

Hi Anna
My experience in ireland is the very same as yours.........I have been in severe pain for several years and have been put on antidepressants as i was told the pain was in my head!!! One doctor told me i need to have a baby and that i should have a lot of intercourse to relieve my stress!!!! I actually took my friend along to that appointment and she could not believe the reaction!!!
It might be worth doing the following - write down all of your symptoms, keep a diary of how you feel day to day and make a note of every doctors appointment and their reaction. I also found it very useful to take along a friend to the surgery - actually accompanied me to see the doctor. The reason for this is that i was starting to doubt myself but my friend who has seen me at my worst was my strong voice for the day. It also means you have a witness to the appalling behaviour.
Most of all - believe in yourself - it is your body and you know it best. Afterall the doctor is there to provide a service - if you were not happy with a car service you would not return to the same garage! Keep going until you find a doctor you are comfortable with. I discussed with mine the fact that i had been told it "was all in my head" and together we rationalised that it was not!!! Unfortunately emergency care doctors which i have attended have had a different view and these are the ones which have really upset me.
So Anna - you are not alone - be very strong and go in with fighting spirit. Do not be beaten down by anyone!!!
x e

 

[cemc]

Anna, I have just realised you are in the Grampian NHS area, so I wish you the best of luck. I've had nothing but problems with Grampian NHS (ARI in particular). I live outside the area, but for specialist stuff we get referred to ARI. I have seen neurology, rheumatology and dermatology, and urology and a colorectal surgeon at ARI and none of them have really talked together. Also they are really unwilling to refer anything out of their area for second opinions. In particular I had a skin biopsy that supposedly shows amyloidosis, which could be quite serious if it is also causing my systemic problems, and yet in spite of every doctor saying they don't know anything about amyloidosis, they won't agree to having the biopsy looked at again by anyone outside grampian. The other thing about NHS grampian, is that they refuse to acknowledge how much I have deteriorated over the last three years, so each time I see someone its a quick look and then discharge from clinic, or follow up in 6 months, with no treatment, and no concern about how I can no longer work, or enjoy myself, or the progression of illness etc. Finally after a long battle I have succeeded in getting permission for a referral out of area, and I'm going to be seeing someone in Edinburgh at the end of August. It was my GP that pushed for this. I think if you are having problems getting taken seriously, then really work with your GP to get an out of area specialist referral, or consider going private for an assessment (but then getting any tests done on the NHS)