Help, my doctor thinks I am a hypochondriac

patriciamary
patriciamary Member Posts: 117
Despite being diagnosed by Rhuematology Consultant, osteo- arthritis in right hip, not bad enough for surgery and lumber spondolosis my doc refuses to help me. Since the arthritis diagnosis my feet, knees, hands and right shoulder have become painful, stiff and often swollen. Doc doesnt want to know, gives me co-codomol and sends me on my way. Had chest infection and had blood taken, calcium very low so persuaded another doc to send me for a Dexa scan. Osteoporosis in back and osteopeana in left hip, so my doc gave me calcium tablets and thats it. Previous ulcers due to anti-inflamatories (ibuprofen) and after ulcers healed had terrible belching for days on end 24/7. Consultant who I saw while I was in hospital did a PH study (horrible! tube up nose and down back of throat attached to a small computer box for 24 hours) PH study results show tummy producing excess acid when I am upright. My doc says NO its all in my head and I should see a hypnotherapist. Rhuematologist says I should be given better analgesic, use tens machine and given physiotherapy. Doc says NO, bought myself a tens machine but it only helps a little. Horrible doc on holiday and got other doc to refer me to Occupational Therapist, I cant get in or out of bath, need help to get out of bed in the morning, find it really difficult to get up and down stairs, cant lift pots off hob, cant turn taps on most mornings etc etc. Phoned OT today to chase up and was told they have no record of me at all. I think horrible doc has stopped referral. I know I can change to another practice but I was thinking because this was on the go I would wait till it had all been sorted rather than start at the begining with new doc. I am normally a very strong person, but this is wearing me down. Spent most of today crying and wanting to kill someone. I am a professional person (accountant) and have not been working for nearly two years because of this. Where do I go from here. Sorry for ranting but I am begining to feel paranoid that she "has it in for me" I know this is ludricous but thats how I feel. Would appreciate any advice from you all.

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,463
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Patricia

    Thank you for getting in touch with us. I'm sorry that you're having such a rough time of things at the moment. It can be the most frustrating thing in the world to have to endure the debilitating pain of arthritis and yet feel that you're not listened to/believed by the very people who are supposed to be providing help and support.
    But when we are experiencing pain and feeling upset and have too much time to think, the first thing to go is a sense of perspective because we tend to view everything through a microscope. And we fixate on things. Or people. So although it's natural to want to kill someone, it ultimately eats away at your energy levels and energy is something most people with arthritis have in limited supply.

    So my guess is no, your doctor doesn't have it in for you and it's very unlikely that she didn't refer you to the OT out of spite. But it does sound like the the relationship between you is probably damaged beyond repair so it makes sense to look elsewhere. If you can find one that actually listens you'd be amazed at how much better that alone can make you feel - but do also try to be realistic in your expectations. I'd have thought a referral to a pain clinic as well as a physio may prove very useful. You don't need a referral to an OT as you go directly through social services - you're entitled to a home assessment under the Community Care Act.

    It's very common to produce excess stomach acid if you're feeling upset or anxious - a short course of an anti-ulcer drug might clear it up. Osteoporosis should really be treated with medication that helps to build bone density. Perhaps you could discuss this if/when you find a new doctor. In the meantime you could always give us a call on the helpline - we promise to listen!

    Best wishes
    Paul
  • patriciamary
    patriciamary Member Posts: 117
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Patricia

    Thank you for getting in touch with us. I'm sorry that you're having such a rough time of things at the moment. It can be the most frustrating thing in the world to have to endure the debilitating pain of arthritis and yet feel that you're not listened to/believed by the very people who are supposed to be providing help and support.
    But when we are experiencing pain and feeling upset and have too much time to think, the first thing to go is a sense of perspective because we tend to view everything through a microscope. And we fixate on things. Or people. So although it's natural to want to kill someone, it ultimately eats away at your energy levels and energy is something most people with arthritis have in limited supply.

    So my guess is no, your doctor doesn't have it in for you and it's very unlikely that she didn't refer you to the OT out of spite. But it does sound like the the relationship between you is probably damaged beyond repair so it makes sense to look elsewhere. If you can find one that actually listens you'd be amazed at how much better that alone can make you feel - but do also try to be realistic in your expectations. I'd have thought a referral to a pain clinic as well as a physio may prove very useful. You don't need a referral to an OT as you go directly through social services - you're entitled to a home assessment under the Community Care Act.

    It's very common to produce excess stomach acid if you're feeling upset or anxious - a short course of an anti-ulcer drug might clear it up. Osteoporosis should really be treated with medication that helps to build bone density. Perhaps you could discuss this if/when you find a new doctor. In the meantime you could always give us a call on the helpline - we promise to listen!

    Best wishes
    Paul

    Sorry, was feeling sorry for myself yesterday, have not had a decent nights sleep in so long its begining to wear me down. Went to see another doc (at same practice) he doesnt agree with horrible doc but feels that I have lost confidence in her so should maybe see another doctor. Have decided to go to another practice and also to lodge a complaint about horrible doc. I willl keep you posted. Thank for putting up with my moaning. bye for now
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Patricia,

    Sorry to but in but I wanted to cus I have appalling doctors and well if you can change Flower change! I know the isolation and the fear of being alone medically if not literally and I know when it happened to me I cried for days. I still do thinking about it.

    I really hope you will see someone decent and someone who listens and well just remember your results prove your not hypercondriac, not that you ever were.

    I honestly do stress change doctors cus I couldn't and when this lot told me not to bother them with anything to do with my known or suspected conditions I fell apart for a bit and now wont see a doctor even if they would see me and with 6 conditions, well I have one good consultant and the practice nurse is lovely...... Just get your self a new doctor and omeprazole or a better pump inhibitor. Take care and a ((( ))) cus your not alone. Cris
  • andypipkin
    andypipkin Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know excatly where you are coming from!! I had to wait almost two years for a diagnoses and in that time i had a horrible time, i whent to see a nuro surgeon and he told me to put my crutches in the bin and my drugs and go play football the problem there is i could hardley walk. I also saw ortopeadtic surgeon on two ocasions they where looking for slipped disks and when they did not find them it whent back to it's all in your head. I whent to see a specialist doctor for arthritis twice the first time they compleatly cocked everything up and i had to ask for a secconed opion from a diffrent specialist doc for arthritis all i did was hobble in on my crutches and he said you have 3 forms of artritis two are inflamitory and very aggresive and the other is wear and tear. i could not belive it this new doctor said if the first doc had done is jop properly i could have had my arthritis diagnosed 1 year early and that 2 years without proper treatment realy is to long. My gp only sent me for a secconed opion to prove that it was all in my head and when i came back with a diagnoses she could not belive it and she rang my arthritis doc there and then to see if it was true she thought that i was making it up.