How do you deal with lack of GP support?

tonyjdbrown

I had joint pain for a long time and my local GP was not really interested. Changed jobs and got BUPA so managed to see a consultant rheumatologist who ordered up X-Rays, MRI and blood screens to diagnose OA in hands, hips, sacro-illiac and feet. I was prescribed Etoricoxib which helped.

Went back with this news to GP but only allowed to speak to their pharmacist who gave me more Etoricoxib. Then I found myself getting really dizzy and my blood pressure shooting up. So gone cold turkey on the NSAIDs and rung the GP. And I cannot get an appointment!! In fact the receptionist suggested that I might try taking the Etoricoxib again to see what happens.

How do you deal with a surgery that doesn't appear to take arthritis that seriously. I am now back to square one it seems.

jamieA

I can only suggest putting in writing to your GP your complaint as that stays with your records. The other option is moving to a different practice if that's possible. I've already put in writing a request for a different rheumatologist and that has gone through.

Jona

Hi @tonyjdbrown ,

I spent a long time trying to get any help was ignored and humiliated and sorry to say laughed at and I agree with jamieA or you could ask to speak to the practice manager the receptionist are not qualified to advise you on medication and should not have told you that

As they say the pen is mightier than the sword I reached crisis point when they eventually gave me an X-ray even then I was told “oh it’s not that bad”

If you do change your surgery research if the doctors specialise in orthopaedics some do good luck and remember arthritis is painful and demoralising enough without having to fight for care

take care

Jona 😊

tonyjdbrown

I have changed surgery. Let’s see how they go 😂