Bit of advice, please...?

[RhiRhi]

Hi all,

My Fibromyalgia is getting worse every day. In all fairness my GP is very nice and has tried loads of different pills etc but to no avail. The pills I'm on now I think I have got used to as they don't really touch the pain, if try do its literally for a very short time. I haven't seen a Rheumatologist since My GP diagnosess was confirmed by that was about 18months ago. How often do you see you Rheumatologist?

I have private medical insurance with my employers so have phones and they will cover the cost for a Rheumatologist but I need a GP referral. Do you think I would be offending and or annoying my GP by askin for the referral rather than waiting for her to suggest I go?

Also, my GP referred me to hip consultant but is a 26+ week waiting list on NHS but as it was that wait time she referred me privately, I saw the hip consult on Mon but really unhappy about outcome. I want to ask GP is she will refer me to NHS consultant but do you think she will be annoyed I didn't take this option in the 1st place?

Sorry for long info, hope I haven't bored you.

Hope you're all doing ok and have a lovely weekend,

Rhian x

[Hidden]

Hi there.....GP's these days should listen to requests from patients which is why they should ask what you would like to do, how you want something sorted out etc etc. They should always involve you directly, not tell you what you should or should not be doing. So in that case I would always suggest the possibility of being referred if your doctor doesn't directly bring it up. I'm sure lots of people will say that their doctor doesn't talk to them in this way, but this is the protocol they are supposed to adopt. Of course, a reason a GP wouldn't agree to you being referred to a particular department would be if he/she considered it inappropriate.

Certainly go for it. You have nothing to lose.

[RhiRhi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your advice x

[Ang01]

Hi Rhi, I have my treatment via my GP and have not seen a Rheumatologist. However, if you discuss your concerns with your GP when requesting a referral I wouldn't have thought they would mind. You could query whether they think the Rheumatologist would prescribe any different medication than the GP would prescribe and if so this would be a valid reason to see a Consultant. At the same time you would be able to discuss your recent appointment re your hip and ask her advice on this at the same time.

Hope you too have a lovely weekend. Take care, Angela xx

[RhiRhi in reply to Ang01]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

hi well i was referred to rheumatologist by my gp had an appointment last july was in there 20 mins mx and prompyly discharged at same appoimtmtnt as there is nothing he can do lol so i jus see my gp now regularly if i was you i would def ention referral to your gp i am sure he would be fine with it and if you are lucky enough to have private health care you use it in fact my friend hubby has it with his job she had a hyserectamy 4 weeks ago she said it was marvellous how she was treated etc so i would go for it bless you and she only had to wait 3 weeks to go in too love to you and good luck diddle x

[RhiRhi in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[Hidden]

You have the right to ask your GP for a referral to a Rheumatologist. She is unlikely to be offended because she will realise that only you know how much pain you are in. I think she will do as you ask without any question.

With regard to not being happy with the outcome of the first doctor you saw about your hip, you are entitled to ask for a second opinion. To be clear, when I use the word 'entitled' I am talking about the patient's charter which sets out patients rights within the NHS. Tell your GP that you would like a second opinion and she will arrange it. I don't know what type of cover your insurance gives you, but you may well be able to ask for a second opinion privately and still be covered. This would avoid the long waiting time.

I hope I don't sound like a 'know it all', but I worked in the NHS for over 20 years and was involved in the development of the Patients Charter.

Now I am definitely just making a suggestions some of which have helped me. I am left wondering about your GP because it almost sounds like you are afraid to speak up for your needs. I don't know if you've had any problems with her in the past or if she has a very forceful personality and you feel intimidated.

Is there anybody that you would feel comfortable taking in to the consultation? This may give you more confidence and if the GP is a bit of a bully, the presence of a friend should stop this. I often write down a list of issue I want to raise with the doctor and any questions I have and specifically what I am asking for, This really helps me and my GP actually likes that I do that rather than just stare blankly at her when she asks how she can help if my Fybro and medication addled brain is acting up.

The very best of luck and wishing you well

Christine B

[RhiRhi in reply to Hidden]

Hi Christine.

Many thanks for your reply. Very helpful info and I hope to use it if if get problems with the referrals. I think I've given the wrong impression on my GP, sorry. My GP is lovely, very understanding of me not being able to communicate properly as I'm not very good with people. I've written her letters in the past rater than waste her time not speaking when I have an appointment and she has always replied very swiftly and always offers her help so I think I'm very lucky to have a GP like that. I think this is why I'm a bit tentative to ask for the referrals as I don't want to ruin the relationship that's been built, hope I make sense?

Again, thanks do much for your advice. Much appreciated!

Hope you're doing ok.

Rhian x

[bruiser]

Hi i had been on same medication for years and seemed to get used to it my gp actually said i think as im not a specialist we will send you to a rheumatologist, i really dont think your gp will mind you asking and anyway they can only say no all the best x

[RhiRhi in reply to bruiser]

Thank you x

[RhiRhi]

Thank you x

[RhiRhi]

Hi All,

Many thanks for your above comments, very much appreciate your time and opinions. I've opted for a phone call from GP rather than an appointment as I think I'll be more talkative over the phone as apposed to a face to face appointment as I'm not very good at them.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,

Rhian xxxxxx

[Ang01]

That sounds like a good idea Rhi, I often ring my GP rather than arrange an appointment which she doesn't mind. I agree it is often easier to talk to them over the phone, somehow it seems less intimidating. Good luck, Angela xx

[RhiRhi in reply to Ang01]

I agree! The 'White Coat' theory is very true. Thank you x

[RhiRhi]

Hi all,

An Update ~ My GP kindly Phoned me today....

She has spoken with the Hip Consultant I saw last Mon and doesn't think a referral to anyone else would be beneficial. She is however, referring me to the Rheumatologist that I can see privately. She is gonna to write the referral letter this week and I have an app with the Rheumatologist on Mon so not long to wait, thankfully! I am very lucky to have a supportive and understanding GP who has knowledge in Fibromyalgia especially after reading some posts that people have problems with their GP's.

Hopefully I get somewhere with this app as I'm constantly on bed, so exhausted, in agony and zero energy to name a few.

Thanks again for all your advice and support.

Hope you've had a good weekend and are having a good week this far.

Rhian x