Re: Useless Doctors
 

Margaret...have a look at the post under NHS report in general....It seems to have got lost.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I have read that thread - nothing 'lost' that I can see :confused: - about operations.
This thread is about useless GPs who don't manage to make a diagnosis.
When I told my doc that I was struggling to stay awake, and was sleeping 10 or 11 hours a day, his response was "drink lots of coffee" :rolleyes: I have done web research and visited the district nurse 'off my own bat'

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I am struggling at the moment with a dodgy keyboard...I was trying to draw your attention to an old man who has had to have his leg removed because the plaster was too tight.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I have just had another blood sample taken today.

What alarms me about this testing process is the fact that when I phoned yesterday for last week's test results I was told that the anaemia test done last week was negative, and if I had not done research on the subject I would have just accepted that and stuggled on with my debilitating wearyness and breathlessness, and needing to sleep 11 hours a day.

Pernicious anaemia is due to vitB12 deficiency which can result from several causes.
The red blood count can be normal but the size of the red corpuscles indicates the deficiency. That size was not checked which is why I have had to provide another blood sample.

If I had not researched - I wouldn't have had this second test
I can only conclude that I would have been fobbed off with the usual 'old age' excuse.
If untreated, pernicious anaemia can wreak havoc on your body, and increase 3 fold the risk of stomach cancer (which incidentally is what both my mother and her sister died of)

The lesson I have learned is that we have to take responsibilty for our own health because others cannot be relied on to care, and will fob you off if it is the easiest way for them.

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If it's any help Margaret, my mum ( Ossylass) seems to be a lot more full of beans now she has her B12 jabs !

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its given her wind?:confused:;):D

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It may seem a strange thing to say but I hope I have it.
It is better to have something treatable instead of narcolepsy which isn't.
Anything to end this need for 11 hours sleep a day and the social isolation it brings.
I have done more websearching and found the Pernicious Anaemia Society -getting some good advice there - I'm even contemplating a donation :eek::D

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Hi

i have just seen your postings on Vit B12

the tablets dont work you just pass the B12 straight out
I think I am right in saying that the injections go directly in to the muscle so I wonder if the patches can work?
Regards
Polly

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Glad to know I'm "full of beans" sounds like a bit-part in "Blazing Saddles"! It may be partly psychological, but I do feel better after a B12 jab - in spite of the "ouch" factor.

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RIGHT i went to the doctors for my blood results this morning and....they were'nt there :(

the doctor rang the path lab to chase the results and guess what....they hadnt even had my blood to test it :( i dont know where the bloody hell my blood went, but it didnt go to where it was supposed to go :(
the doc took SOME MORE blood from me today and said i have to go back in a weeks time for the results, i was gutted, so thats yet another week of me feeling tired and drained, i aint a happy bunny :(

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Their incompetance can be very frustrating but don't let it get to you.
Remember to ask for a B12 deficiency test even if a normal anaemia test is negative.
Get it sorted, and we will both turn up at the next meet looking and feeling great.
Persistence matters ---- stay with it girl :D

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lol thanx margaret, i'm going to ring the docs on Monday just to make sure they have my darn results this time, i aint wasting anymore taxi money getting up there

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I have got results of the 2nd blood test - vitB12 level normal- I am not entirely convinced so I have put on a B12 patch and wait to see if it makes a difference (overdose does no harm)

Now I am to have chest xray and electrocardiagraph - hmmm - so now they are looking at heart and lungs - both past their sellby date I suppose :rolleyes:

I was hoping that I was B12 deficient because there is an easy remedy to restore health - looks like what I have got is the 'non-restorable type' :(

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ive been to the new PALS centre today, seems quite nice..... i now have a doctor lol

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Is it easy to get in now?

whos ya doctor?


Iv been with peel house since the day i was born!:rolleyes:

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feeling like crap again today, really tired and really drained, i got up this morning, put the washer on, put some washing on the line then had to go back to bed, and i slept for 3 more hours :( went to town about 2 ish this afternoon, came back, made Reece his tea, then fell asleep again for another 2 hours.
Sunday evening i went to bed at 6.30pm and didnt wake up till Monday morning, i just hope they have sent my bloods off properly this time :(

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not sure who my dr is yet, ive seen the nurse today just waiting to get the appointment for my medical through

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I have dr westwood, I think he's a good doc;)

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I wish I could say something helpful, because I know how this feels, but I cant, just sometimes you have to sleep. Its frustrating especially when you have a family but no way round it.

I know you have assumed it is your blood but have you considered it might have something to do with the foods your eating? Anything with gluten / wheat makes me tire. I am just guessing sometimes you can see a relationship with tiredness and foods consumed.

hope you eel better soon

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is there anyone i should avoid? the nurse was ok but seemed busy....

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Polly, you may be right there hun, i'll see how my bloods come back and if they are ok, i'll look closely at my diet, thanx for that

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What could also be useful is keeping a diary of how you are feeling and looking for trends.It will also be useful for a doctor to see when it happens, but also its good for yourself. It will give you more of a sense of control if you can monitor what is happening to you.

So for example I get bad migraine visual problems (no headaches just my eyes go "funny" for about 1/2 hour). I kept a diary of when it happened and worked out it was caused by specific type of lights. I also found out that rather than taking prescription medicines, 2 Ibuprofen worked better. So whilst my doctor prescribed the migraine tablets, I actually found a better way myself. I now avoid wherever possible the specific lighting that sends me funny, but I can also recognise the symptoms before they happen. It just helps me to manage it.

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No all the doctors are great in my opinion.
Just hope your doc isn't doctor Wallworth,he is a wonderful doc and really nice but you can never get an appointment with him!!
I've been a few times over the past couple of years and think i've only seen him once in that time!

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aint seen me own doctor (who is tops i think) in over 18 months, though the different ones i have seen have been fine,no problem, so i don't see as it matters much who ya get ems. last 2 visits have seen a guy called Cooper, never heard of him before, but cannot fault him, he certainly listens to you.:)

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When I saw the doc last Wednesday I was deflated by his diagnosis that I did not have vit B12 deficiency. I put on a B12 patch anyway(last Wednesday). I have noticed a marked improvement- no daytime sleepiness for last 2 days, and breathlessness is reduced.:D

I am due to see doc again in 2 weeks when xray results arrive and will be drawing his attention to -
Vitamin B12 Deficiency by Jeffrey Dach MD

No GP can be a specialist - and sometimes they resent your knowing too much, as if it presents a threat to their authority and competance.

Persons who have researched B12 deficiency, will have seen that a blood test is unreliable, and a UMMA test of urine is recommended. When I asked him about having one, he looked puzzled and said 'You are not anaemic'.

Even doctors with excellent reputations (as mine has) do not have the time to keep up to date with new findings in all areas of medicine. The proposed 5 year testing of GPs is an excellent idea.

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Hey Flashy - I didn't mean to take over this thread.
I am eternally grateful that you started this thread because it has indirectly shown me the way back from ill health.

We need to know how you are fareing - in case we may be able to help
:cuddle:

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lol your ok Margaret, i dont mind at all :)

Been for my results today, every one was fine, the tft was a bit low, its supposed to be 0.30 but mine was 0.28, nothing to be concerned about, i have to go back in 6 weeks to have the tft done again just incase its on its way down, the doctor still thinks my tiredness is due to me trying to come of my prozac, i was taking 20mg every other day so she has told me to go back on them everyday, i so want to come off them, but its obviously not going to happen anytime soon, i've been really down for the last few days too, i've managed to fall out with EVERYONE in my family and a few friends too, i hate feeling like this, all i do is sit and cry or get really angry and i know there is nothing at all i can do about it

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i'm sure they understand its not your fault

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It's good to know that you have found out what has caused your tiredness.
Knowing is half the battle towards solving.
I have no idea what 'tft' is - if I ever need to know I will ask you :D
At the moment this old brain is overloaded with medical jargon about a different problem.

We have a month to get well enough to stun them at the meet - see you there :)

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that i doubt very much Em, you know first hand what i get like when im on one, i go mental, i just feel like moving away and getting away from everyone, i'll be ok in a few days i hope

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sorry Margaret TFT is Thyroid Function Test :)

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Well whad-y-know - think I had one! but just got 'OK' for a result :)

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indeed i do...... did i stop talking to you the first time? nope, would i ignore you if you wanted to talk to me?? nope..

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i know, thankyou, i really dont know where all this anger comes from, when i start i really go to town and if anyones in the vacinity of me they get more than just my gob

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Flashy that TFT needs repeating at 3 monthly intervals for a year.....you could have subclinical thyroid dysfunction....one test won't give a clear picture.....the alternative(which some doctors use) is to treat with thyroxine and if the symptoms disappear then you have found the cause of the tiredness.

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It would also seem wise to do TSH test as well......that is Thyroid stimulating hormone....if that level is raised and the TFT is down then it is likely that you do have thyroid dysfunction

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Doctor Mitchell did explain all this to me today Margaret, she said one is to do with the brain giving the right signal out to the hormones therefore not releasing enough thyroxine into the body and the other is for something else, cant remember what she said though, she said she wasnt going to treat it yet because all my other test results came back 'normal' but she will take my bloods again in 6 weeks just to make sure it doesnt go down anymore, and if it does then she will treat me for it, this might have something to do with my weight gain too especially if its underactive

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Make sure you get to see him the next time you make an appointment then willow, its good to have a doctor you can really talk to and get on with

The Doctor i am registered with (Alistair Murdoch) is an excellent doctor, he sits there and listens to everything you have to say and isnt ignorant one bit, the other year he sat in his room with me for over an hour whilst i cried my eyes out to him, he said i was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown and settled my mind on a few issues i had and am still having, when you get a good doctor you should stick with them

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Flashy if it stays at the same level on the next test then I would be suspicious.....because your last test result was under the normal lower level...not by much, but still under.
Weight gain is also a symptom of underactive thyroid, as is thinning hair.

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Flashy glad you are getting something done but don't forget you know how you feel and make sure you get the follow up blood test done. Hope things look up for you soon:)

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Sorry to hear you did not get a straightforward answer.
Do you know that food allergies/intolerances can cause mood swings and depression? I am not saying you should give up any particular foods but just think about what you are eating and how your moods are after particular foods. Strangely enough its not always the 'unhealthy' foods that cause problems eg I react to strawberries and oranges.