Doctor's referral

bigboybrother

Tehya wrote: »

hannahO keep fighting your corner and ignore silly comments. I've also been on the merry-go-round of GPs with little, if any knowledge of conditions that are often seen together.

I've suffered for years with severe headaches back/hip pain, hearing loss, eye problems, bendy joints, tinnitus, blood pressure, raynaud's which was blamed on everything from migraine to Meneire's Disease. Thoughout it all I just knew it was neurological and it turned out I was correct all along after having several brain and spine MRIs which lead to not just one diasgnosis but several and so now after years of fighting I'm finally being taken seriously and being treated.

My GP for over 12 months kept telling me that the pain in my leg was nothing more than simple arthritis - just getting old I was told.
That is until I ended up in A&E in the early hours with pain I could no longer put up with.
They checked me out making a joke about having night cramps that is until they couldn't find a pulse in my right leg (which was white by the way) within an hour or so I was in theatre having blood clots removed from my groin, knee and ankle of my right leg.

When asked how long has this been going on, I said about a year as my GP diagnosed arthritis. It was then that the surgeon told my wife that I was lucky to still have two legs!!

Went back to the GP after a week to have a dressing changed and played holy hell with them.

Since then I don't bother with a GP other than get my monthly meds - prefer to go to the walk in clinic or A&E for attention.

[Deleted User]

in the last month i have accepted 2 referals by my gp and refused a 3rd

clemmatis

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

No you are not alone. I have read Wiki too and discovered that I have rabies, bubonic plague, MS, dengue fever, recurrent measles, ebola AND an ingrowing toenail.
My GP also won't refer me, but I find that apart from the ingrowing toenail, the odd paracetamol or aspirin is managing to keep the ravages of my other illnesses at bay..............:cool::cool:

Indeed there is perhaps no cure for what ails you, and others must simply suffer its results.

OP, I second the advice that you join an association/support group. I have found them invaluable.

mazza111

The HMSA really have been wonderful. Especially at helping my DD come to terms with things. And membership starts at £8/year (concession) and £12 a year. Not a lot of money. They've helped so much I'm now getting a sponsored tattoo done in their name

There are several groups on facebook that are very supportive too hon, if you want to know about them, just drop me a line and I'll message you the links to the good ones

clemmatis

Oh and as for suggestions of paranoia, OP, and assertions that GPs are not paid for referrals: the latter is correct. They are not. The opposite is the case: money is taken from a GP's budget for every patient referral, and there are (were, anyway).additional financial incentives, in some localities, rewarding GPs for referring fewer patients.

Concern about market incentives within the NHS is not paranoid.

Errata

Of course money is taken from Primary care to pay for Secondary care services and treatments. That's how the system works.
Can you provide a sensible link to support your statement that GP's are rewarded for not making referrals?

clemmatis

Errata wrote: »

Can you provide a sensible link to support your statement that GP's are rewarded for not making referrals?

I've had problems providing links using Android-based software so you may have to wait a while. Or you could Google it. When I did -- to refresh my memory -- I found stories in the Telegraph and the Independent, giving very specific details (for 2008/9; please note my "are (were, anyway)". The Telegraph quotes a leading orthopaedic surgeon, former head of the BOA, warning of the dangers and giving instances of harm.caused, quotes other specialists, and names GPs who refused to take part in the scheme, quoting one. The Independent story is shorter and less detailed.

There are other stories. I've taken the top two.hits.

Is this sensible enough for you?

hannahO_2

mazza111 wrote: »

Hannah, as no doubt you know with EDS/HMS the gastro issues can be immense. Is there anything on the HMSA website you can print off and take along with you? Or even see a different doctor in the practice.

I would also consider joining the HMSA as it's this kind of thing they can help with x

Thank you. You have given me an extra idea. I might contact UCLH and ask consultant about HMS gastro as I haven't been to that department when I was diagnosed initially. I guess I need another referal letter though

I'm gonna try another doctor in the practice and if he won't help me then I'll have to move surgery again. I've only been with them for a few months. It seems that you are only allowed to investigate so much and it stops.
Obviously, they don't have best interest in patients' health even though that's what they say. :mad:

hannahO_2

bigboybrother wrote: »

My GP for over 12 months kept telling me that the pain in my leg was nothing more than simple arthritis - just getting old I was told.
That is until I ended up in A&E in the early hours with pain I could no longer put up with.
They checked me out making a joke about having night cramps that is until they couldn't find a pulse in my right leg (which was white by the way) within an hour or so I was in theatre having blood clots removed from my groin, knee and ankle of my right leg.

When asked how long has this been going on, I said about a year as my GP diagnosed arthritis. It was then that the surgeon told my wife that I was lucky to still have two legs!!

Went back to the GP after a week to have a dressing changed and played holy hell with them.

Since then I don't bother with a GP other than get my monthly meds - prefer to go to the walk in clinic or A&E for attention.

My goodness :eek:
You were soft touch. I'd gone further than that. (no violence involved though) I think too many GPs get away with bad behaviour, don't you think? I mean, you were very very lucky that you didn't end up having a stroke or something. It could have had a serious damaging effect on your life and your family. Wheelchair or even bedridden needing care for 24/7 etc. If I were you I'd take some action on the matter and get justice.

sunnyone

mazza111 wrote: »

While I agree that reading up on a condition online can be dangerous. Sometimes when it comes to conditions that are that wee bit rare, some GPs are a bit lax.

I had to fight for about a year to get my dd's HMS/EDS diagnosed. Even now, if we visit a strange doctor in the practice, they look at her as if she's got 2 heads when she mentions EDS. There are so many different things linked to it.

So don't presume that Hannah is just reading something and assuming. Sometimes the patient does know more about it than the GPs

You must live in a diffrent era to me then, I was diagnosed as a teenager and both my kids were diagnosed as young kids and every consultant we see understands the condition.

Diagnosis by wiki/internet is dangerous, its amazing how many people have self diagnosed rare conditions after reading about them online so you can understand why GP's refuse to just accept someones self diagnosis.

HMS/EDS seems to be a "fashonable" condition at present, its supposedly a rare condition yet every man/woman and their dog on the internet seems to have it.