Do i change doctors,as getting fobbed of!

[house77]

Sorry i think i wrote some where else about my health problems,but can not seem to find it now..Will start again.

I am 48 years of age,and since i was around 20 have suffered with back ache,in the past two years, i have noticed that i am in so much more pain in the morning,and so stiff too,i cant seem to walk properley for 20 mins.I have Arthritis in both my knees and suffering from tennis elbow in right arm,i also get a lot of pins and needles in my hands, my doctor diagnosed both of these,but when i asked for further tests at the hospital they fob me of,i am not happy and getting very frustrated about it all.I asked my nurse for a blood test for Arthritis ,which was done, i asked for a print out,and the range was (0 - 12) my reading was 6.2 , the doctor said it was on the boarderline. I just want a xray or mri scan for my peace of mind.Shall i change doctors as i havent been happy with them for a while,am losing my faith in them, thanks for any replys in advance..xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi pokermel

I am so genuinely sorry to read that you are suffering and struggling and not getting anywhere with your GP services. I have pasted an NHS Choices link below whereby you enter your post code and it will find GP surgeries in your catchment area. So I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with this.

nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/Lo...

A GP and their surgery do have a duty of care towards their patients, and it sounds like (for whatever reason) they are not fulfilling this. You could always submit a complaint to PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) if you feel that your treatment has been too poor?

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?...

Please keep us updated with whatever you decide to do?

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[house77 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you ken.I Have been thinking of putting a complaint in for a while,i will try get an appointment very soon,and if not happy ,and feel they are not doing enough, i will look up your list of doctor,s in my area.

With thanks x

[Hidden]

If you aren't happy with your gp I would consider changing Dr'S but think if you do is another going to be better.do you have another surgery you can go to and have you had a Dr recommended to you.?are the sensations in your hands on your thumb and first two fingers.that could be carpal tunnel syndrome.good luck I what you decide .

[house77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks pagetrose for your reply, my pins and needles are all over my hand ,but mostly in all my fingers,when ever i put pressure on them,like i am doing now writing this ,i get a painful tingling senstation.My lower arms sometimes get numb and feel very uncomftable if i am like cleaning ,or lifting heavy objects.x

[Hidden in reply to house77]

If cannot carry anything on my left arm.it gets achy when I do.my elbows are deformed (for want of a word).if I hold my arms out my hands are at right angles to my arms.is the only way to describe it.I'd post a pic but don't have my computer right now.

[Fibroman]

I suffer the same symptoms and have had both elbow's operated on. My blood tests come back exactly the same. The biggest challenge we face as Fibro sufferers is anxiety. When I was first diagnosed I couldn't walk in the mornings all my joints seemed to seize up. What you need to do is accept your condition and try to relax.

I have had a few Xrays but never offered MRI scans. Changing Doctors because they wont do expensive scans seems a bit extreme.

[Midori]

MRI scans are extremely expensive, and xrays in excess can damage you. Doctors are reluctant these days to prescribe anything unless it is imperative, so I think you will not find that changing doctors will help. Like everyone else, doctors are being hit hard by the Government in the money department, and an unnecesary procedure for you may result in somebody else suffering. Unfortunately, your peace of mind cannot override the duty of care that doctors must show to all their patients impartially.

Your only choice (if you can afford it) is to pay privately.

[house77 in reply to Midori]

Thanks midori, for your reply

I understand what you are saying,but i dont agree with it all. I have been in pain for a very long time in various places, and if you was in my shoes,which reading your reply you have been, wouldn,t you after 20 years,like iv,e been want to know exactly what is wrong with you?

i have never had a scan or xray at the hospital or any operation,so feel

it would not be unnessecary as this is really stressing me,plus i am in pain too!..And yes if i had the funds i would go private, but i haven,t..x

[MariLiz]

Hi pokermel, it's a good idea to get your levels of B12, ferritin and folate tested. I have also had back problems for many years, and I was getting more and more stiff and achy in the mornings. I also had pins and needles in feet and legs and hands. Plus extreme tiredness and some mental confusion/forgetfulness. All these were improved once I started on B12 injections. I know a lot of GP surgeries are reluctant to refer patients for scans and X-Ray's now, so maybe they would do a blood test for this first? Best wishes MariLiz

[Hidden]

I think reluctance for gps to send patients for scans is kinda unacceptable surely patients health comes first and if that deems a scan,then it should be,

[house77]

Hi Dan,just to let you know it has now gone up to 7.2 my Arthritis point range,so a bit of increase.still no Xray,but am always pushing on one.Have had a steriod injection in elbow a month ago ,as it is so painful,it hurting now typing this.xx