Private blood test

[ncrbrts]

Hi, I'm new. I'm an alcoholic and I have been in recovery for 3 years (I say recovery, but I am hardly abstinent although my drinking is not near the levels it used to be). I also overdose on prescription medication regularly when it's not working quick enough or when I am depressed. The last time I had a drink was yesterday, the last time I overdosed was 5 days ago. Since my last overdose, my stomach has been bloated - not painful - and I have lower back pain (which i suspect is a result of the bloating). It feels like I am about to have a period, but usually I only get the bloating the night before I start to bleed, and I only have about 3 periods a year due to polycystic ovaries. I have been advised to have a liver function test (I had one in detox 3 years ago and it showed inflammation but I have not had one since). The thing is, I am also autistic and thoroughly terrified of my GP, the surgery, the local hospital... basically the entire state healthcare system. Can anyone recommend the best place to have a private blood test carried out/best at home kit? Thanks

[LAJ123]

Hi,

I completely understand your situation and you have my sympathy.

You already have had the courage to raise the issue here with the members of the forum, so that's definitely a good start.

There is no substitute for your GP and the rest of the health service, so you need to get together some more courage and accept support and help from those who will be able help you.

Maybe you have a relative, a good friend or an advocate that can go with you to any appointments. After all, if the test indicated a problem, you would have to eventually deal with your GP and possibly hospital appointments. Are you still in touch with whichever organisation / person who organised your detox ? If so, perhaps they could again step in and guide you through the process.

Don't forget, the British Liver Trust do have a help-line which is there for you to talk to a qualified and knowledgeable nurse. I'll put a link at the end of this reply. Unfortunately, as its already gone 3pm you will have to wait until tomorrow.

Whatever you decide, I hope you get the support you need as you are clearly worried about the health of your liver. I wont mention your drinking as you obviously have a lot of awareness of the risks involved and how to seek help with your alcohol problems.

In the meantime,

Take care,

Jim

britishlivertrust.org.uk/fi...

[davidh1965]

Hi

You can get private blood function tests from places like Spire healthcare etc. That will only get you a set of results which unless you are medically trained, will need to be interpreted by private doctor. You will not get a pass or fail from the blood test alone if that’s what you are looking for. Starting off down this route can get very expensive. I was lucky enough to have private care with my job, but even then once diagnosis was completed they refused to pay out any more saying it was a chronic condition and not covered under the policy. Transferring over to NHS then has its own problems.

Your best bet is the NHS. A sympathetic GP is a great help, but look at it as though you would a potential broken arm. It needs an X-ray, the X-ray needs diagnosis and then a fix if needed. You have a right to the process and make good use of it.

[Wass71]

Hi, if you have a known diagnosis of autism then your surgery should be able to arrange a nurse or Dr to visit you at home. If going to the surgery is too much it should be easy for them to set this up for you, it may mean organising it well in advance, which as someone with autism you may be grateful for, as you can make plans, and prepare for the event.

I think it sounds sensible to get some baseline bloods, it may help to know where you stand. That way you can move forward in attempting to improve your health and wellbeing.

I hope you have some support, and someone who could help you to access help.

Take care and best wishes

E x

[ncrbrts]

Thanks for all replies. I had ordered a blood testing kit earlier today, since cancelled. I think if my symptoms continue over the next couple of days I will try and find the courage to go to the doctor.

[briccolone in reply to ncrbrts]

Hi and welcome-as hard as it may feel-get to see a doctor and "fess up" to your issues. You definitely won't be the first person they will have seen like this-once blood tests are done -we can see what's what. Good luck with it!

[Radnor]

Your fear is not something to ignore, that needs addressing asap to help you go on this journey. Its called White Coat Syndrome and this is what is preventing you from being diagnosed. If you look in your local area you will see counsellors . Some are qualified to help you work through this. My daughter is a sufferer. She has no problem seeing medics for her daughter ,husband or me. She loses her power of speech if its for herself! This is a helpful process for you and it will help. There tends to be long waiting lists in the NHS so if you can afford it it will be money well spent. Polycystic ovaries is a hellish condition on its own. Autism is a very broad spectrum but again complex, services have been cut for so many things but your GP should be able to find support for you on this. Tackling your very real fear underpins all your health issues. Blood tests alone do not give a true picture of the liver. Mine were showing completely normal, 2 months ago. Totally misleading in my case. You need an advocate, be it a friend or relative to support you. Their are numerous causes of liver damage, the majority of people still think only alcohol can cause it. Tiny steps forward, you obviously want help and need it. Hazelx

[ncrbrts in reply to Radnor]

I was diagnosed with white coat syndrome a few years ago but it was never really addressed, because I'm never really ill enough to see the GP. I see a psychologist and she knows that I am very frightened of the doctor but she attributes it to anxiety particularly because of communication difficulties resulting from ASD. But I've repeatedly told her it is because doctors have been poisoning me with drugs I didn't need for many years and I'm scared that they will start doing it again.

[Skertchly]

C a psychologist or find a strong partner.

I’d have a drink with u and share notes

[Radnor]

White Coat is treatable. Having an advocate to go to appointments is also a way forward. I went with my daughter to see a consultant. She had a nightmare experience last year. She is intelligent and articulate but in front of a specialist she clams up totally. She has since had major surgery and is improving daily. I saw this Consultant in his office and I popped my head around the door to thank him and explain I am not a bossy mother, he remembered my daughter well because he saw her bp and heart rate on the day of her op. He knew immediately , He said White coat my dear? Anxiety and panic attacks are horrendous for sufferers. You must open up to someone, a friend or family member? You need strong support to get the help you need.

[ncrbrts in reply to Radnor]

Who treats it though? Surely the CBT I do via psychology would (technically) be the answer if its intention is to teach me techniques to reduce anxiety in all areas of my life?

Also, I really dislike my GP. Whenever I go, I am forced to tell her my medical history because she never reads my notes. So a short consultation becomes protracted, I am always in tears by the end of it. It seems more hassle than it's worth.

Even though I cancelled it, the private company sent my blood test kit today. I just did a sample and sent it off.

[Radnor]

My employer paid for CBT for me when I was diagnosed with ME following a virus. The only thing I took from it was I work task based not time based! translated it means I start something and have no off switch, it has to be finished. There are counsellors who specialise in fear type syndromes. My bloods show normal, My 3rd fibroscan yesterday showed I now have cirrhosis. Change your GP too. One of my skills in my work was problem solving. Your anxiety is real. You see a massive problem in front of you. Write down everything firstly. Then make a list of every concern/worry, each as a separate problem. Then decide what is causing you the greatest anxiety. This will help you focus on just one thing. Take your no one priority and write it down. Then you can note every potential thing that can help you solve this. Focus only on this. you now have one thing to concentrate on. It could be Change my GP? Its not always a quick fix, but I guarantee it will work. Stick to one thing at a time. Hazelx