Loss of confidence in GP

[45sue]

Can anyone suggest what to do or how to educate my GP who I feel has fallen at the 1st fence & left me without confidence in her for my journey post HA. When I complained of a cough on Ramipril she told me stop taking it for 4- 6 weeks & to ask cardiac rehab what she should prescribe instead. This caused an intake of breath & a short silence when I rang the rehab team - they are not prescribing nurses & were surprised at GP handing over this responsibility. They did speak to the hospital pharmacist on my behalf who said on no account should stop Ramipril like this & while I could change to an ARB it was up to GP to decide which one & what dosage. GP has also told me my medication does not need to be reviewed for a year & I do not need any blood tests in the interim, neither of which is correct. She has also told me to increase my intake of dairy foods to get enough calcium which conflicts with dietary advice from rehab team. Before my HA I was an infrequent attender at the surgery & don't know any of the other doctors. Should I just ask to see someone else? I am seeing the rehab team in couple of weeks - could I ask for a letter setting out what needs to happen? Has anyone else had these kind of problems with their GP?

[Loving-life]

Hello sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with your gp. Yes definitely ask to see another gp, this is a time when so many drugs are given to you and it takes a while for your body to tell you what it likes and doesn't like. I cannot tolerate ace inhibitors , ramipril being one of them. If you need BP meds ask to try another, there should not be any problem changing them. I was on BP tablets for years and it took a while to find a tablet that suited me, but my gp was fantastic and it be became a mission for her to find me one that worked, we nearly had a party in the surgery when we found one it took so long 😍😍.

You can call always give the bhf helpline a call on 0300 330 3311 and they will guide you through what tests etc you should be having and when. They are brilliant. I have spoken to them on a few occasions and they are so reassuring. Fingers crossed you have things sorted soon. Take care

[team-M]

When i moved here 3 years ago, i found myself fighting my GP for help. She wasn't exactly full of bedside manner. So i asked to see someone else. This time i have hit lucky!!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Currently I do not have a specific GP as mine retired and his replacement in not in situ. Even then I made appointments with other GPs as they are not equal in all fields. Mine admitted I knew more about PAD than he did! Are there others in the practice you could see.