How does someone go about finding a Doctor who is informed?

[Nik11]

How do you know your new Doctor will be any more help, and ACTUALLY believe you have fibro? I know it is still considered quackery in GB, but in the US, they seem to have a wider belief of the disorder.

[LindseyMid]

It varies a lot in the UK actually. Some GPs are great, some are awfully outdated.

If you can get a recommendation of a good local GP from another person with Fibro, that's best. If there is a support group near you, they may be able to put you in touch with someone else close to you.

Otherwise, you can ask at the practice if any of the GPs have an interest in Fibro. They may not be helpful though as you sometimes get GPs who end up seeing a lot of Fibro patients, but don't actually know much at all.

I tend to go for younger GPs when looking for a new GP, but that isn't 100% either - there are some older GPs who have kept up to date on Fibro research or who are interested enough to look it up properly and there are some younger GPs who did not have good influences re Fibro in their training (most GPs do not get any real training in chronic pain management, let alone specific conditions like Fibro).

A GP who is willing to accept that they do not know everything and either look things up or accept good quality information is a good GP. You cannot expect GPs to have indepth knowledge on everything - they are general practitioners, not specialist, after all. You will likely need to educate both yourself and your GP. But a good GP should be willing to work with you.

[Nik11 in reply to LindseyMid]

Thank you, that was helpful. I guess I am just feeling a bit frustrated with people in general not thinking that I have anything wrong with me. I am constantly researching this illness and looking for ways to improve my lifestyle.

[Hidden]

I've found that the best kind of GP's are those that are willing to refer you to a specialist if they find themselves out of their depth with something.

As Lindsey says GP's know a certain amount about most things , but not to a specialist level. They are also going to have things crop up they have little knowledge of , in that case I always think the sign of a good GP is one who's willing to admit that and pass you on to someone who does .

My last GP practice was like a lottery draw , you could request specific doctors but only if you were prepared for a long wait, otherwise it was whoever happened to be available when you rang for an appointment . The most popular GP's were always booked up and had the longest waiting times. 2 of the docs in the practice were brilliant , would listen and refer if asked. One of them was awful and would have prescription pad in hand and be writing one out before you'd gotten through your first sentence properly .

So it can vary even within the same practice.

[Goodienuff]

Helen, you could have written that for me - I totally agree with everything yoiu said. BUT!!! I am over the moon because having just collected my repeat prescription (all 15 items on a 3-page script!!) and having to wait 25 minutes for them to find it - I was relieved to know that this will be the last time I will be going to this current practice, having just discovered my last GP who was excellent is now in practice quite close to me and has agreed to have me on his panel!!!!

It's strange to think that I have been with this practice for almost 57 years, as the original GP at this site delivered ME in April 1954, and the whole family has been with them all our lives. Thank God I am now feeling mentally better knowing that I can now get some help oyher than being prescribed YET ANOTHER pill or potion!!

I am sick to death of all these meds, and I am sure that with alternative therapy ie Hydrotherapy, acupuncture, pain clinic referral etc. I will be able to drop some of the medss and not be in so much pain.

[Hidden]

Isn't that strange ? I was with my old GP practice since I was 15 ( I'm 48 now ) and myself and my GP have grown old together !

I've just moved to Southampton and registered with a new practice ( I was in Coventry before ) and haven't been to see them properly yet , apart from to set up my repeat prescriptions . It's my fiancé's GP and they've been brilliant with his dad , he's 82 and has all kinds of health probs , so I'm hoping they'll be the same with me !

I really struggle taking meds because I have stomach problems and everything upsets it so at the moment I'm just taking Lanzoprasole for gastric reflux and surviving on cocodamol for pain. I hate taking tablets so I'd be really interested to hear if any of the therapies have a good effect for you.

Hugs

xx