Can you refer yourself?

[wannabestudent]

Hi,

Can you refer yourself for extra help withotu going through your doctor?

To cut a long story short, my doctor is convinced everything that is wrong with me is down to weight (including things like hayfever). Whilst this may be true, it doesn't help the constant pain and swelling I get from my joints, fingers, hips, back, legs, knees - everywhere. I need some form of help to help manage them to get mobile and get losing more weight, but without this i'm drifting around trying to sit in comfortable ways, fidgeting because sitting still for a long time hurts or I'm popping ibruprofen to try and take down the swellings.

I can't go through my doctor as all he will say is 'lose weight' but when you feel like your whole body will fall apart the next step you take and you're in so much pain you can't move.... it's not easy.

Who would I refer myself to if you can? thanks!

[suki1964]

You cant afaik - unless you want to pay private

If you don't think you are getting anywhere with your own GP then ask to see another in the practice or ask your GP for a second opinion.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Hi,

Can you refer yourself for extra help withotu going through your doctor?Health and social care assessments (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/ArrangingHealthAndSocialCare/DG_4000436)


To cut a long story short, my doctor is convinced everything that is wrong with me is down to weight (including things like hayfever). The problem arises because the more and the larger your fat cells the more pro inflammatory cytokines they produce. So the bigger your fat cells the more pro inflammatory cytokines are circulating and these predispose you to more allergies more pain and more suffering.

I can't go through my doctor as all he will say is 'lose weight' but when you feel like your whole body will fall apart the next step you take and you're in so much pain you can't move.... it's not easy.While I had sussed out the pain/pro inflammatory cytokine issue earlier it wasn't until I listened to Taubes (http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216) this time last year that I understood how fat cells cause more pro inflammatory cytokines and also how to lose weight without having to exercise.
Dead easy weight loss plan (http://blogg.passagen.se/dahlqvistannika/?anchor=my_lowcarb_dietary_programe_in) No counting calories, no counting carbs, no extra exercise#until you feel like it. and no money to spend or meetings to attend.
All you have to do is not eat those foods that make you hungry and make your body burn glucose.

SAFE It's what our body's evolved to work best on. It's particularly best for diabetics or those with epilepsy or Alzheimer's Parkinsons. If it's good for those with dodgy brains it's even better for those with no brain problems at all.

If I can lose 2.25lbs a week without much effort I think others can also benefit from this moneysaving plan.

I helped my war against those pro inflammatory cytokines (that came from my fat cells) not only by eating an anti inflammatory diet but also with some anti inflammatory supplements. Vitamin D3 (https://secure.bio-tech-pharm.com/detail.aspx?product_id=18&cat_id=2&subcat_id=0)5000iu/daily
Omega 3 1.8g daily (http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=8305) see the referrals board for a $5 Iherb discount code. I take 3 of these daily.
Magnesium (http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=692&at=0) I take 4 of these daily.

All of these are natural anti inflammatory agents. this explains how the vitamin D sorts out your pain levels (http://pain-topics.org/clinical_concepts/vitamind.php) It really does work. I was in constant pain from my polio damaged nerves. It drove me mad and I used to take it out on other forum users here as a way of distracting my mind from the constant pain. There's nothing like a dam good row to take your mind off the fact your in pain but it's far better to sort out the cause of the pain. The reason we feel pain is because our natural anti inflammatory status isn't coping properly to sorting that out sorts out the pain. Hence the need for substantial effective amounts of vitamin d, omega 3 and magnesium.

[hardpressed]

Even if you see someone privately you have to be referred by your GP.

[suki1964]

Even if you see someone privately you have to be referred by your GP.

I was of the understanding that you can go pay for a BUPA health check or walk into any of the pay to see GP clinics that have sprung up without a referral.

[Nicki]

Even if you see someone privately you have to be referred by your GP.

No that's not true. I've seen people privately and self referred. (Usually gynae related, but also a back specialist and a gastroenterologist). They will ask for your GP's details but the only need for a GP referral is if you subsequently need to claim the cost back on health insurance.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

No that's not true. I've seen people privately and self referred. (Usually gynae related, but also a back specialist and a gastroenterologist). They will ask for your GP's details but the only need for a GP referral is if you subsequently need to claim the cost back on health insurance.There are some restrictive practices though that prevent the patient getting access to the information they need.

If you want a private £40 25(OH)D test from The Doctor's Laboratory (http://www.tdlpathology.com/) you have to go through your doctor.

If your doctor won't play ball you have to go outside the UK to get one by post from 25(OH)D test by mail order. (http://www.zrtlab.com/Page.aspx?nid=12&action=view&category=14&partner=VitaminD%20Council)

But there is no doubt it's a restrictive practice designed to profit health professionals rather than enable patients to take control of their own health.

[Savvy_Sue]

You can now refer yourself to Physiotherapy, at least in some parts of the country, but I have no idea if that would be relevant in this case. And I'm afraid I don't know how you do it, heard it on Radio 4.