Strange treatment by G.P. Should I move practice

gerad_way

Just wondered what you would do
I have a big doctor/hospital phobia and only ever go as a last resort.

I have suffered with migraine for many years. It is 3 years since i last went to my G.P . The migraine are now so bad that i plucked up the courage to go as i am desperate for help.I also have other health worries that I can't just ignore anymore
My appointment was for 10.15 but it was 11.05 before I was called.
I tried to explain all my symptons to her but she stopped me and said I don't have time to listen to everything so tell me the 2 problems that are causing you the most pain. She then told me to come back with my other health issues even though I never got to tell her about them. Maybe some of them are connected. As i got up to leave she said I have to write all this down now it's going to take me ages.
I understand the pressure G.Ps are under , but considering i only ever go as a last resort i was a bit shocked.
I'm now wondering what to do as I think I do need treatment, but obviously my G.P doesn't want to no. Would you change G.P or change practice or am I just over reacting because I am so frightened to go in the first place??:rolleyes:

skylight

I would complain to the practice manager in writing and find yourself a new doctor. Its not your fault they are running behind on appointments and I would have been cross if I had been spoken to like that - my doctor would not have taken it from me, so vice versa.

GP's may by under pressure, but I think that their pay packet reflects that.

tinkerbell84

I would complain too, that's disgusting treatment.

stef240377

My partner had a similar thing happen to him, he is a long term ankylosing spondylitis sufferer, his original G.P hadn't got the time to listen to him and kept fobbing him off with co-codamol instead of listening to his complaints.

I asked him to see my G.P. and within seconds he was being referred to consultants and specialists and treatment was underway.

If you are concerned and are seriously going to change G.P then with a new doctor request a double appointment as they wont have any of your notes and will have no option but to take time listening to you. Dont feel foolish either over any of your ailments. With migraine i were referred to a neurologist and was given wafer tablets calle drizatriptin and these only work with migraine and they are my god send within minutes of taking one symptoms start to subside, these unfortunately can only be issued initially through a consultant, but if they help they are worth it.

Grandmasu

Hello gerad way, Sorry to hear about your migraines, it is rotten enough coping with them let alone other problems as well. I don't think your Doctor intended to make you feel uncomfortable or rushed, but was probably suggesting that you make a double appointment next time so that there would be more time to discuss what is worrying you. It is often a good idea to write down all your symptoms as it is quicker and easier for them to understand what is bothering you and spend the time trying to resolve these problems.

If you really find that you do not feel at ease with this Doctor ask if you can see another one in the same practice, still making a double appointment and writing your list. Hope this helps,

Best of Luck

Sue

Dill

Gosh, your post reminds me of when I used to live in a big city centre and the Drs appointments were something like two minutes per patient. It's nowhere near long enough. It wasn't until I moved down here that I realised that not all Drs surgeries are like that!

The Dr grumbling at you for making 'extra work' for her seems very unprofessional to me, too.

I think it'd be worth you looking around for another surgery. Maybe someone can recommend another one where you are?

gerad_way

Thanks stef thats interesting.
I have suffered with migraine for over 20 years. I have learned to live with them and it is now a daily battle.
I have only ever been given beta -blockers (no help at all)
and sumatriptain now available over the counter under the brand name of migraleve ( i think). I have never been given a referal to see a consultant at the hospital. I have for the first time ever started to loose days at work and had to go sick as the pain is so bad.I have not been given any pain killers other than what I can buy over the counter, and have just been told to live with it. Easier said than done at the moment.
Thanks:mad:

Oldernotwiser

I'm sure I've read somewhere that many surgeries are asking patients to make more than one appointment if they have more than one ailment. Going in with a list of problems will take far longer than the allocated time and delay other patients.

I think that you're overreacting and would be better off seeing your doctor more often so that your individual conditions can be dealt with properly; I think that this was what she meant by telling you to describe your 2 most important problems. Going to see your GP shouldn't be a last resort.

emilyt

Sorry to hear you were treated so bad by your doctor.:mad:
I would definately change doctors. I too suffer from migraine and they are horrendous. Mine are called hemiplegic migraine. The only drug that has ever helped me is Zomig. You do need to be referred to a specialist.
I am just so lucky to have an understanding doctor.
Good luck from a fellow migraine sufferer.:D
Emily

quietheart

Well I definitely think you should complain. This doctor sounds close to the edge and the practice manager needs to know so life-changing mistakes aren't made if the drs are under so much pressure.
You were entitled to a proper consultation and you didn't get one. I would change GP asap.
Best of luck
PS have a look at the Migraine Action Association, everyone's really helpful on the talkboard

gerad_way

Thanks oldernotwiser.
I have always had a doctor/hospital phobia and don't think i am going to improve now. I thought maybe i was overreacting but have never been told before that a doctor cannot deal with everything at once, as I think they were all probably related. I just felt like a naughty school child when she said i have to try a write this all up now it's going to take me ages. As i only attend my G.P as a last resort i didn't no about booking a double appointment.
Thanks