I haven't posted for a while as I'm not very good at these things and I hope I've got it right.I am permanently tired and breathlessness is getting worse so as a result I am wallowing in the pits of depression. I know I should phone gp but getting past the receptionist is almost impossible. I'm told to phone at 8am but the phone is permanently engaged and it seems its for emergency appointments. The receptionist is often snippy and so I can't bring myself to phone. It's a vicious circle. I had an evening appointment mid June and gp said "oh what can I do with you?" So I had bloods done the following day and had weight and height measured. My weight is constant but it seems I have lost 2inches height. I know I have a stoop now but am aghast at it being so bad . I have had no follow up with gp so I guess I should try to contact them again.
Apologies for the rant but I am at a loss as to know what to do now. I do hope someone will be able to help me. Thank you for reading my ramble. Milopalm.
Ps my neck is very painful.
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Milopalm
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Hello Milopalm, so sorry to hear you're feeling unwell. I know how difficult it can be getting an appointment to see your GP.
Being tired and breathless is so draining and trying to drum up the will to make phone calls can just feel like too much effort.
Have you tried ringing 111 and speaking to someone there? You can give them your symptoms and they can sometimes get the doctors to call you to arrange an appointment or even make an appointment for you. They're usually very helpful, definitely not snippy, I'm sure they wouldn't leave you to suffer with your symptoms.
I'm sure you'll feel better once you've been seen and hopefully treated. Keep your chin up.
But you should have had the results of your blood test by now. Maybe try calling the doctor in the afternoon when it's quieter or pop in and speak to the receptionist.
And, if I were you, I would try to find another doctor who could take you on. Your GP's practice sounds as though it is poorly run. The staff there are supposed to help you, not be 'snippy'.
If you feel you are not getting the service you deserve from your GP practice you should complain. In writing to the GP practice manager. However you should have good justifiable reasons to do so, perhaps by referring to gatekeeper receptionists and their attitude to their customers, who tbh keep them in a job! You could, as others have suggested, try 111, but my experience with dealing with them is poor, and I know for certain that all they may do is to arrange an appointment with your own GP rather than providing you with an alternative view on your medical circumstances.
okay, let’s be honest you know you need to see your gp. But i really do understand your situation. After my heart event I lost all my assertiveness so the thought of dealing with the gp receptionist was causing me anxiety. Have you got anyone who can phone and make you the appointment? I got my daughter to phone for me for a while. It’s taken me quite some time to get my assertiveness back and deal with the gp receptionist myself.
I’ve also got degenerative arthritis and a degenerative scoliosis in my spine which affects height loss. The arthritis in my neck is painful in my shoulders. Moving is important and I mix up exercises that I do so I’m not continually putting strain in one place. Getting outside is good for you
Please find a way to see your gp. Get medication for what you need including the depression. The low dose anti anxiety medicine helps me manage it and deal with people like gp receptionists. Good luck.
I’m so sorry to hear of your situation and I myself was very depressed after my diagnosis of severe heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy in February 2022. However, my large GP practice in Bakewell is absolutely fantastic, including the receptionists. That being said, I have had the same issues with receptionists in the past, especially when I lived in London. My suggestion is, have you tried the NHS app? I can book appointments with my surgery through this and look up my test results. It even has links to each blood test result, explaining what the normal parameters are and what this means.
I am now 14 months post CRT pacemaker and haven’t looked back. I’m back to swimming and loosing weight and no longer have high cholesterol and am almost out of the pre diabetic danger zone. I’m no longer depressed and trying to live life to the full. I truly hope you can get the courage to start to take baby steps like I did and get the help you need to improve your life, both physically and mentally, or as I always say to our daughters, who are in their 30’s, “it’s time for the big girl panties”. Take care and I truly wish you well. Kate
It can be a vicious circle and one most definitely hard to get of, but you must. Unfortunately the less you do (or feel like doing) the harder it becomes to do the most basic of tasks. Set yourself little tiny goals, even if just a walk around the block at your leisurely pace, in this beautiful weather reward yourself (an ice lolly). There are some wonderful exercises you can do from the chair whilst watching telly. If you are breathless on a flat you need to be seen. If you have a local gym near you aqua aerobics is amazing and some of us go for a little coffee afterwards. Have you thought of therapy as it can feel alone, but you are not. There is a back support you can buy on Amazon which also helps with posture (not expensive) - hope this helps
Have you been offered a bone density scan as you may have osteoporosis as that would account for the loss of height and the pain in your neck . If not ask for one . Does your GP do online consultations if so fill in the found and ask for the scan.
My mom's osteoporosis started when she was 50 and her ribs hurt . She had a bone density scan and put on medication for it. I have a friend who is now 73 but was diagnosed when she was 30 and has been in a wheelchair for nearly 10 years.
My mom lived until she was 90 stilling walking but when I took her out she went in a wheelchair as she got tired walking but she was 87 then. It was cancer and dementia which killed her .
I am waiting for a referral for a bone density scan because I have a rare hereditary neurological condition and have fallen all my life but funny enough never broken a bone but my GP is concerned about my hips and wrists. Plus waiting for referral back to my cardiologist as my legs keep swelling . Pain I can deal with as been in pain in my legs all my life and in my arms since 1988. It the tightness of the skin that gets to me plus every time they swell my weight goes up even though I am dieting . Lost 7st but want to loose more.
I am lucky phoned my GP for face to face appointment on Monday and got seen on Monday . Healthcare is a postcode lottery. I moved to the north west of England 5 years ago and couldn't have picked a better surgery and only because the bus stops opposite. They sent me to see a cardiologist and neurologist and know what 2 things I was born with and getting treatment. I am 66.
By hook or by crook you need to see a decent doctor. I’m not knowledgeable about UK health system but somehow or other you need a decent GP or perhaps present to ER. Good luck from Australia.
Milopalm, I have twice recently written to my GP, addressing the envelope ‘Private and Confidential’. This should avoid the Rottweiler on Reception. In each case, I’ve included my phone number and, the GP has called me direct. Put all your symptoms in the letter and tell the GP how ill you feel. I discovered that my GP has a day when she fills her own appointment list. Don’t stand for the ‘guardian at the gate’. Insist on an appointment!
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