doctor

glynis87

Hello

I just wondered if anyone has any tips on how to make my GP listen to me and take notice of what I am saying. He never seems to believe me when I tell him how painful it can be on some days and how it impacts on my life. I don't want him to just keep giving me stronger painkillers, I want him to refer me to a specialist but I am worried that if I try to insist he will get 'stroppy' (this has happened in the past with a different GP). Any advice would be welocome because I can't go on like this. I feel like crying because every movement is painful and everything is such an effort.

Thank you
Glynis

dreamdaisy

Make a list of the points you want to cover, or write it as a letter, and simply hand it to him. The written word often has a greater impact on these numpties who lack empathy, it may help him to take you more 'seriously'. Don't hold back in how you describe things: they need things to be very clearly and simply spelled out. If you are affected by OA then there really isn't a 'specialist' option, apart from an orthopaedic surgeon when the need for surgery arises. Rheumatologists tend to specialise in the auto-immune versions of this rubbish, GPs 'treat' osteo. I have to go, I am having a lousy day. Sorry. :oops: DD

constable

Hi Glynis,

I think really DD has said everything that you can do and she is right to have it all written down. And also that if you have OA there is not much they can do unless it needs operating on.

I can understand you wanting to cry with the pain, but it does depend on which arthritis you have as well.

I know it is very hard when you are in constant pain, but start writing the letter to the doctor, and make sure you give it to doctor. Keep us informed as to how it went.


Karen xx

traluvie

Hi Glynis..

I used to be in so much pain with mine i didn't know what to do with myself..
(i have inflammatory arthritis)
It is only now i am on the right tablets that i am now not in so much pain..
I felt it was good to write a pain diary, this was for my benefit so if i was aked i had it ready..As the others have suggested writing things down and showing to your GP should hopefully sink in more..maybe turn the light on inside his brain
You could also be honest and say that you don't think he is taking you seriously, he may be shocked by your honesty but it may also make him think about his actions..
The only other thing i can think of is changing your GP or doctors, which i would say be last resort if all else fails..
I really hope he listens to you and gets you sorted as soon as..
Let us know how you are getting on..x

tillytop

Oh Glynis I am so very sorry you are struggling so much and in so much pain.

Re your GP - I know from experience how difficult it can be to get them to understand how things are for you, and how frustrating and upsetting it can be when they don't appear to listen and just "dish out the pills".

I have just read your post on "say hello" and I wonder if you perhaps feel that your GP has not given due consideration to your diagnosis and has just blithely stated that it is "age-related" without proper investigations?
Probably your GP wouldn't refer you to a specialist if he has decided that you have osteo-arthritis but that doesn't mean that he should just keep prescribing stronger pain-killers without any real appreciation of how unwell you are and without proper discussions with you about what can be done to help you.

I have a couple of suggestions though which hopefully won't upset the GP, but might be a way to prompt further discussion and/or specialist referrals if necessary:

Do you think that you could say to the GP that, given the level of pain you have at the moment, could you perhaps have some more blood tests to check your inflammation levels in case perhaps anti-inflammatory meds might help you more than the painkillers? That might then prompt further action by your GP, such as further blood tests and/or referral to a rheumatologist if he feels that is appropriate.

Or if particular joints are giving you worse pain than others, perhaps your GP would be prepared to arrange x-rays to ascertain just what is going on with those joints. Again, that would give a basis for further discussion and potential referral to orthopaedics if the x-rays showed that was necessary.

At least if you have had some "proper" investigations, you - and your GP -would know what was going on and you would know that the appropriate steps were being taken to help you to manage your pain.

Thinking of you Glynis.

Lots love Tilly xxx

jillyb1

Lots of good advice already given , Glynis , the only thing I would add is to take someone with you next appointment . My rheumy tends to ignore anything I say ; but if my husband says the same thing on my behalf ; it is instantly noted and acted upon ! Jillyb

barbara12

Hi Glynis
Like you I went on for over a year, just going back for more meds, then I changed GPS and I was very lucky to get one that understood.
They seem to think oh they have arthritis, not much can be done apart from pain meds.
You just bite the bullet and go and tell your GP how it is, good luck with it all.
And let us know how you get on.

mouseymousey

My surgery has a system whereby you see who is available. Okey dokey so I ended up seeing Dr *. I had some problems with some tablets and wanted to query a diagnosis. His reply? Well Dr what do you think.
Now ladies (& gents) you know how it is when you have just had enough...I walked out of the appointment.
I now make sure I don't see Dr*. My 'own' GP is great, I write a brief list of what I think I need before I go and that helps as the appointments are 5mins only so you can get through more.
I think its like anything in life really - you have good ones and you have well those who's bedside manner needs a little polish.

bubbadog

Sometimes you get lucky with a doctor who listens to you and sometimes your not! You need to get your doctors attention and maybe ask the questions in a different way, like almost fancy them up into a sentence. I know it sounds mad but if you start like I was doing........... and bring in your question and finish it something like what do you think Dr....... Hope that might help, if you have any questions please just private message me and I'll get back to you. Take care and hope you get something sorted out.