Frustration with GP

[AJLang]

I now really don't know what to do. Apart from Saturday's good day I still don't feel well. The second ESR test was 32 (normal level 1-12) but the GP has written no action...........I feel extremely frustrated as surely if the blood tes result is high they should do something about it? I really, really don't know what to do

 

[Caroline]

Have you got a drop in centre near you you could pop into for a chat? Tey may be able to help and they contact your GP to say you have seen them. NHS may be able to help.

Your GP sounds about as good as mine, When hubby went down with his osteoarthriritis the (lots of swear words had to be bleeped out) put down pain in knees. I keep going back because I keep getting upset tummie and he keeps putting down tummy ache

 

[Copepod]

While I quite agree, lack of action is frustrating, but don't be quite so hard on GPs.

AJLang Good information about ESR here - http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/esr/test.html

It's not neccessarily the right clinical decision to act after a single higher than normal ESR result. A GP will look at your whole health picture, including other planned appointments with specialists, for example. I'm guessing, without knowing full story, but perhaps your GP is waiting for reports from others before acting on ESR result, or may intend to test ESR again in a few weeks. It's also possible that your feelings of notbeing well, while completely real, are not related (much) to ESR. So, definitely worth reporting back to GP how you feel.

Caroline - if a person, such as your husband, attends with symptoms of knee pain (symptoms are things that are experienced by patient themselves, rather than signs that can only be observed after action by someone else), a diagnosis of osteoarthritis can't be made instantly, as it required elimation of rheumatoid arthritis by blood test. Plus, it's important to note which joints are affected. Tummy ache is a reasonable description of symptom of "upset tummie" - probably more accurate than stating which part of your gastro intestinal tract (mouth / oesophagus / stomach / small intestine / large intestine) is affected, without knowing for sure. If you have also reported diarrhoea or constipation, that may have be recorded as "change in bowel habits", perhaps further described as increased frequency for diarrhoea.

 

[AJLang]

Hi Copepod

I appreciate what you're are saying but this is my second ESR test in two weeks. The first one was 35 so she said to have it tested again two weeks later and then it was still over 30. The blood test was done because I went to her to explain how awful I was feeling. She isn't waiting for reports from any other doctors and hasn't asked for anymore tests to be done - she has just written no action.

 

[Northerner]

While I quite agree, lack of action is frustrating, but don't be quite so hard on GPs.

AJLang Good information about ESR here - http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/esr/test.html

It's not neccessarily the right clinical decision to act after a single higher than normal ESR result. A GP will look at your whole health picture, including other planned appointments with specialists, for example. I'm guessing, without knowing full story, but perhaps your GP is waiting for reports from others before acting on ESR result, or may intend to test ESR again in a few weeks. It's also possible that your feelings of notbeing well, while completely real, are not related (much) to ESR. So, definitely worth reporting back to GP how you feel.

This was Amanda's second ESR test, not the first, Copepod. Amanda, I think you should ask to see a different doctor to explain what the test results mean, if possible. At my surgery there is a vast gulf between what one doctor is prepared to explain and another.

 

[AJLang]

Thanks Alan I think I will have to do that I don't want to step on her toes but equally I don't want to not have any answers. The GP doesn't know that I have an appointment with my gastroparesis diabetic specialist on Monday - I think I will ask the specialist if she can help

 

[Copepod]

Sorry, I was only basing my comments on what was written in this thread - moderators, like GPs, can only act on what they are told, and I couldn't check all your recent posts as easily as a GP can access records of your appointments. What I didn't know was how long between your ESR tests. Apologies if I appeared unsympathetic - that wasn't my intention at all.
As you have an appointment with a specialist on Monday, I would definitely ask them, and then go back to GP, if advised by specialist.
As I hinted in my first post on this thread, a response to a second higher ESR result should be different to a first high result. However, your GP may know that you have a specialist appointment, even if they haven't admitted to you, which might be the reason for the "no action" note, although I agree it would be more helpful to say "no action because...!

 

[AJLang]

Hi Copepod you didn't sound unsympathetic at all. It's just that it took a lot of courage for me to see my GP the other week, but I felt so unwell that I had to, and when I did see her she was very dismissive and just said that I needed to do more exercise. I just find it so frustrating that she has done the blood tests - the results are high (if normal is 1-12) and yet I am not given any explanation. I'm also worried as my fatigue has been having a very negative affect on my work. I hoped that when the GP saw two bad ESR results that she would at least have suggested an appointment so that we could discuss if this was the cause of my fatigue. But last year when the undiagnosed gastroparesis was causing problems she was reluctant to give me tablets and didn't refer me for tests. Fortunately my consultant did refer me for the test which showed that I had severe gastroparesis. Guess this is why I am finding the GP frustrating this time.

 

[trophywench]

Just go back to GP (or alternative one at the same address LOL) and just request referral to a Rheumie.

Why are you asking this Ms Lang?

Because I haven't been given any plausible explanation for all my symptoms neither has it been explained to me why two ESR tests undertaken to investigate said symptoms and which produced much higher than normal results, are being ignored.

OTOH it's probably easier and quicker to have a go at it next Monday!


{{{Amanda}}}

 

[lucy123]

Hi Amanda

You do need to get to the bottom of it.

Just one thing though - you can get a raised ESR due to certain medication. I had repeated ESR;s in the past but was able to ask my GP why they weren't a concern - the reason was because other markers were normal. Could this be why your GP hasn't discussed these ESR results with you as she is satisfied with the results for the reasons she tested?

However long term tiredness should not go unchecked. At the risk of being shouted at though have you tried a vitamin D or vitamin B to see if it helps at all? Winter does play havoc on the energy levels as does BS too?

I hope you get to the bottom of it.

Maybe writing a letter to the GP would help prior to your appointment laying out exactly how you feel and what you would like to happen at your next appointment - explain you are not being awkward you are just worried and concerned.

Sadly GP's only get so many minutes to review you and may not actually give you the time to listen as much as they really need to.

Don't give up though - keep pushing for answers.🙂

 

[trophywench]

Not being funny here, BUT

I find it absolutely preposterous that a person who has got 'Really Flaming Serious' things wrong with them, and furthermore one of those things is a thing the GP pooh-poohed and was then proved wrong - can be treated like this by their GP.

TBH, he wouldn't have been my GP since shortly after the gastroparesis debacle .......

 

[lucy123]

Not being funny here, BUT

I find it absolutely preposterous that a person who has got 'Really Flaming Serious' things wrong with them, and furthermore one of those things is a thing the GP pooh-poohed and was then proved wrong - can be treated like this by their GP.

TBH, he wouldn't have been my GP since shortly after the gastroparesis debacle .......

I wasn't doubting any of this TW - just offering another opinion/suggestion to try and help.🙂

 

[trophywench]

No - I wasn't having a go at you at all!!

I'd sort of said something on the thread and gone out of the room, then sat and thought about it, got really annoyed and came back in, cos I was fuming at the stupid man .....

 

[AJLang]

Lucy and Trophywench thank you very much for your very helpful comments. Lucy you may be right that the ESR level is considered normal for me and you're right that I need to get to the bottom of this. Trophywench you are so right that I shouldn't have seen the GP three times with symptoms of gastro paresis with no tests being done until the routine appointment with my consultant which discovered that it was severe. I've got an appointment with another GP at 11.20 today which I'm really nervous about in case I don't make anymore progress. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[margie]

Good luck Amanda. Hope you have a successful outcome.

 

[Steff]

Lucy and Trophywench thank you very much for your very helpful comments. Lucy you may be right that the ESR level is considered normal for me and you're right that I need to get to the bottom of this. Trophywench you are so right that I shouldn't have seen the GP three times with symptoms of gastro paresis with no tests being done until the routine appointment with my consultant which discovered that it was severe. I've got an appointment with another GP at 11.20 today which I'm really nervous about in case I don't make anymore progress. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Good luck Amanda my fingers are firmly crossed along with my tootsies x

 

[Northerner]

Fingers crossed Amanda, I hope the appointment goes well and that you have a thoughtful doctor who is willing to explain what it all means 🙂

 

[mcdonagh47]

I'd sort of said something on the thread and gone out of the room, then sat and thought about it, got really annoyed and came back in, cos I was fuming at the stupid man .....

er.... the Doc in question appears to be a "she"😉

 

[AJLang]

Thank you for all of your support. I've got focused and have written down two questions to ask the GP

If the ESR is elevated why is there no action when I am still suffering from extreme fatigue that is affecting my work and rest of my life?

If the FSH is normal why have I not had a period for more than 18 months despite having stopped the mini-pill 18 months ago?

If you have any thoughts/suggestions about these questions please let me know

 

[margie]

Hi Amanda - maybe explain how distressing it is for you not knowing what is going on, and how in a way you feel like you are replaying the saga of your gastroparesis diagnosis. Maybe not those words but something along those lines.