As you will see from my previous post it has been driving me to distraction. Well had the usual wait past the appointment time, so settled breathing and heart rate. Into battle I march! Started to explain how I have been feeling. His first words were "I see that you have not had a Rheumatoid Arthritis test the whole time you have been here! " Well good start I thought. "So I need to have a test then I have the car today?" No I need to have a look at you first before we go there? On to the bed looks at the feet and knees. I explained that I smashed both knees when I was 11 year old and was treated as I had grooved my knee joints because of the calluses in my mid 20's. The consultant at the time said I had RA in my knees and that I will need replacement knees at some point. GP asked and this was from a consultant? "Yes in the mid 70's" I replied "Well there is no swelling?" Once I mentioned that when my gout flares up I do not swell and in fact when I have broken bones I have not swelled much either? GP came up with "and gout has been confirmed?" Well that was a cue to go though the list of my ailments that have been confirmed. A little silent at that retort and asked to look at my neck and back. I did not realise I was so tender so far down my back.
As the GP looked at my notes a little more he said that it could be gout in my other joints (Feasible) You are sure you have gout? I told him what the consultant said and showed me on the xray when I cracked my right big toe knuckle. He explained all that around the bone is the result of continued Gout attacks. I asked the GP should I take my Gout tablets? No not unless it goes red? With the lack of swelling I am not 100% sure what it is it could be arthritis? (feasible) So as I have my car today shall I have the Blood test? No I want you to use the anti- inflammatory cream first! I mentioned that I am on Warfarin and it has not been offered before because of the adverse affects it can have? "Well I do not think it will be that much of a problem and if it helps you get to normal I think it is worth a try?" I will keep the RA blood test in reserve. I was a little put back with that and asked "If the RA test was so expensive it is rationed?" Nothing but, see how you get on with this first?
I have never been the normal run of the mill patient with normal run of the mill markers for certain conditions?
GP + Day 1 Laid on Cream to all areas as directed 3 times a day, hoping for a better nights sleep. Result not sleeping any better and still in pain. Left ankle has more pain? No reduction in Tramadol
GP + Day 2 Laid on Cream to all areas as directed 3 times a day, hoping for a better nights sleep. Result not sleeping any better and still in pain. I was in fact more restless and waking more Left ankle has more pain and slightly swollen? Left knee more pain on walking. Neck and Spine feel dry joints and breathing a little tight and sweaty. No reduction in Tramadol
GP + Day 3 Laid on Cream to all areas as directed 3 times a day, hoping for a better nights sleep. Result not sleeping any better and still in pain. I slept the same as Day 1. Took longer to get out of bed as was so stiff, both ankles has pain and slightly swollen and stiff? Both knees more pain on walking. Neck locked in bed when I reversed movement and it felt like it dropped back into socket? Neck and Spine feel dry joints and breathing a little tight and sweaty. No reduction in Tramadol
GP + Day 4 Laid on Cream to all areas as directed 3 times a day, hoping for a better nights sleep. Result Worst nights sleep legs were aching from my feet to the top of my quads and still in pain. Left ankle has more pain and slightly swollen? Left and right knee more pain on walking. Neck and Spine feel more painful dry joints and breathing a little tight and sweaty. No reduction in Tramadol Last day on the cream I cannot stand this anymore!!!
Might pop into another GP Surgery and see about moving? But is it better the devil you know?
I found a private service that does RA tests and charges £29.00 (Will that upset GP more?)
Be Well
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I can only tell you of my experience. I was reluctant to change practice even though the surgery I used had failed to diagnose conditions and had not been proactive. Had not come out when urgently requested and still I stayed.
I changed a year or so ago. Another world. They are awkward to deal with. Everything is organised cock eyed. They are proactive. They have not failed to chase problems. It is almost like having a doctor who wants me to be well or as well as he can get me. Every time I see him he asks how I am managing with my pain. Do I need more help. As soon as any of my conditions go outside the parameter he contacts the respective consultant or Re refers me.
Hope this helps Offcut.
As for the test, at least You would know the results.
My Previous practice were one of the best I have ever been to. They spoke to you as human beings and dealt with the my heart and lung problems as two separate entities but aware of the links to some drugs affecting the other condition. I had a rescue pack that my new practice do not agree with. My new carried on with my inhalers but wanted to blame my SOB on my heart conditions only. Even when I had lung failure though infection and the many bouts of pneumonia and pleurisy they would not do a spiro test. it was only the fact I found I had worked with asbestos it forced their hand to confirm RLD, PH and scaring on the lungs.
I am concerned that if I do step over the line and move could it be worse?
I think we are conditioned to stay with one practice and one gp Offcut. A bit like staying with British Gas even though they overcharge and we can get a better service elsewhere.
It's not like that anymore, you can easily switch practice without problems - not like it used to be when a practice could refuse to let you go.
I recall you recently moved didn't you so have a go with another practice, I would. It's your body, your health.
I moved away from London although I've not told my Wimbledon practice. I told them I was going away for three months and needed Meds for that time which they duely gave me. I'm running out now so I've got a friend to drop in a repeat, she's picked them up today and will post them as I need them.
I've bought a home in Gloucestershire to go back to & I'm absolutely dreading getting a new gp who won't continue with my meds.
I'm very well on what I've been on plus supplements of my choosing plus putting myself in the south of France by the sea for four months.
Let me know how you get on. Practices should have a website with reviews . Best wishes and good luck, Peege
29squid? I'd just get it done Offcut. At least you'll know. If it's positive then you can present the results to your gp and tell him you were simply saving his practice money. He can't complain about that. Can he?
Don't worry about upsetting anyone Offcut. If you have no confidence in your GP then either change practice or go for the RA tests you have to pay for. It is your body and your pain, the doctor probably sleeps very well at night.
I do hope you get somewhere very soon as pain can and does drag you down.
Take care and let us know how things go for you. xxx
In my experience, it's often not better the devil you know. I changed my GP but not until after some research first and it was the best thing I ever did. The NHS have a site where you can view everything you need to know about your local GP practices it can be accessed on this link nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/Lo...
Key things to look at are the number of patients at the practice compared with the number of GP's (too many patients per GP and you might struggle to get appointments) and also the score on the independent patient reviews.
We all deserve good care and the only way to make poor GP's sit up and listen is to vote with our feet.
Whatever you decide I hope things improve for you.
I have looked at my most local to me and they have only 2 GP's but neither specialise in heart or lung issues? However they have a good score on appointments and the way they are looked after by GP and nurse. But my practice scored higher but had more people complaining about the reception staff mainly and a couple on the lack of treatment offered?
All I can say is that I was in my last area for twenty years.
There was a scruffy looking practice in my street and also a smarter looking one five minutes away, on the way to the town centre & the station.
One day I asked a local mum who her was her doc, she had recently born twins & she recommended a female gp in the one nearer town. I signed us up with her although of course rarely saw her, if we needed to go it was usually whoever was available. They were all brilliant.
Over the years I heard nothing but awful stories about the nearby one and many many people ditched them and moved over to mine.
When I checked the reviews the nearby one came out top over my brilliant one.
It must be quite stressful being unable to trust your practice. I can only suggest to talk to everyone in your area to hear their recommendations.
good luck OffC and thanks to Jackie for the above link.
I haven't had a good nights sleep since my last spine block wore off last July we should have 4 a year they cut them to 3. They cancelled my spine block last week when I saw my GP she gave me sleeping tablets and changed my morphine tablets for patches fantastic result but I can only take these tablets for 13 weeks I have another spine block booked for March so will stop the tablets then.
Tramadol are evil tablets they put me on them and I felt so sick and I understand your frustration
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Own my own House,but need a Bungalow ??
At a crossroads 
