If anyone remembers I posted a blog a few weeks back about a trip I took to the doctors. And I saw a very un-savoury doctor.
Today I saw one of the nicer doctors for a 'review' on my last appointment. Now, it was 'hinted' at my previous appointment that my Med 3's would eventually stop. And they have. Which slightly, if at all, puts the kabosh on things concerning the tribunal.
Anyway, I was told by this doctor that doctors are under increasingly high pressure from the Government, NHS AND DWP about handing out Med 3's for people. And that Fibro/CFS is NOT a VALID (yes this is what was said) illness for 'sick notes'. Therefore I had to walk away empty handed and really peed off. Also, he stated that I have had 8 Med 3's since end of last year, and said that they have been 'very fair' to me so far.
So, they are basically saying that because I have Fibro/CFS however you want to put it, I AM fit for everyday work. All because I have to walk my daughter to nursery everyday (which has stopped because I was so tired and aching and unable to get her there), because I have to do things a single parent has to do everyday to get by because I have NO support what so ever., because to them I am 'healthy'. So what happens if I get a job, and there are days where I am going to be so tired and drained ontop of the pain, they end up letting me go because I am not reliable?
People with Fibromyalgia are in fact victims of a witch-hunt. And we are one by one being singled out by everyone. Including the people we are supposed to trust - doctors.
I am losing trust and faith in any doctors now. I really am. Granted they maybe under pressure from the powers that be, but I get the feeling that I was just being fobbed off and lied too. I am seriously thinking of withdrawing my appeal now.
The amusing thing is, he suggested I go to some Job Seekers thing that is once a week on a Friday whenever. WHAT?! Sorry, I thought he was a doctor not an advisor for the 'Joke Shop' and Government. I thought they were there to listen and help you through health issues. They forget (and not read you medical notes anyway) that I have been like this since I was 15 years old. That is 16 years. I think it is time for a war on this.
But all in all, I wasn't sarcastic when he started petty fogging me by mentioning the Job Seekers thing. I was rather restrained. Normally I do get sarcastic and go into Jon Stewart mode (The Daily Show presenter and comedian for those who don't know who he is)
25 Replies
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he thought he was bein FAIR FAIR does he understand the word what about dut of care ?? iam so sorry you had such a degrading experience bot dont give up the fight or the right to expect to be treated like every other sick person. chin up dont dwell on what you cant change plan the next move. petal
Fibro is recognised by the world health organization and the DWP as a disabling condition, so the info you've been given isn't correct .
I'd still go ahead with my appeal , if you're ill then you're ill, the label is irrelevant. What is relevant is if you're fit enough for work.
I think GP's are getting fed up with all the form filling and letters for the DWP so he was probably taking it out on you a bit. That's very unfair and you should tell him that . I would- and I wouldn't hold back !
Is there someone who knows how your illness affects you , who could go with you to appeal ? Parent/ husband/ carer ? Failing that get onto welfare rights or CAB and ask fr some support.
Hugs
xx
Helen: I was told (by the DWP) to keep sending in sick notes while I am waiting for the tribunal. I know I have been mis-informed by the doctor, and I am unhappy with that big time. But if I didn't have my little girl with me I would have gone all George Carlin (minus the bad language)/ Jon Stewart on him.
There are a fair few people who know how my illness affects me, so I will have to see if they are able to travel to mine for the tribunal when I get a date.
And I am already plotting my next move CAB around here are as helpful as an ashtray on a motorbike. So I am going to contact welfare rights and see what they say.
Petty fogging me is not going to work at all. He also raised the matter of me not taking the Citalopram when I was prescribed it ... I refused to take it because of more weight gain ... That fell on deaf ears once again.
What are you getting Citalopram for? Been retired a while and it is not ticking a box. This GP Sounds like a real wanker! Go for it when it comes to roasting him!
Hi Kaige,
I often try different meds and then refuse them for one reason or another , normally because they upset my stomach problem . My GP has never complained about that ! There's no point taking a medication that's going to make things worse !
It really does annoy me , it feels like the whole country is conspiring against people with Fibro and it's just not on. I was surprised though recently, I had to register with a new GP when I moved from The Midlands to Hampshire in March and my new GP is really understanding and when I told him the problems we have with the DWP he said that was wrong .
I hope you can find someone to go with you and give them hell at appeal . Is there a DIAL branch near you ? I've heard they are supposed to be good.
Helen xx
I had a great doctor in Cannock before I moved to Wolverhampton. And he was great and really good with me. But since being in Wolverhampton, its been a nightmare. Only one doctor in Wolverhampton was good and she has since retired. I been on a bad streak concerning doctors ever since.
It's a bit of a lottery where doctors are concerned. We need a national list I think of doctors that are sympathetic and well trained.
In the practice I'm with only one of the GP's are any good with Fibro ( I've only been here 3 months but I've already seen 5 out of 8 of them ! ) . Luckily the one who is good happens to be the one I'm registered to .
I agree with you there Helen.
I have spoken to a friend of mine who works as a receptionist in a doctors surgery, and I asked her about the whole letters and emails thing the DWP and Government been putting doctors under pressure. I asked if it was for specific patients or on a whole. Now, the reply I had back was very interesting .... ''Only for specific patients that have had a medical/review by the DWP.''
Hmmm ... Why does something not sit right with all of this? Because I was told it was on a general basis. Not a patient basis. That is how the doctor I saw this morning put it across ...
I'd call that discrimination . I thought that was illegal in the UK ?
It's only a matter of time until someone challenges this kind of thing in the European Court of Human Rights ( or whatever it is, sorry , brain fog ! ) - or is that just wishful thinking on my part ?
xx
I have had the same thoughts. One thing that is bugging me intentsly is the fact I have people (friends mainly) saying: ''I wish I could help''
I am going to do some digging and see what I can get to back me up. There has to be something out there that will help people get the back-up they need.
Good luck, I may need some back up soon myself . Waiting to hear if my DLA is being renewed ( doubtful ) .
I can feel a long fight coming on......... it all gets so tiring !
Good luck with that chick. I really hope you do not have to fight. Because yes, it is tiring. And frustrating not to mention time consuming.
I am not going to give up on this. x
Thanks, you too and no we can't give up . We have to start fighting back,
xx
If we don't fight hun, that means the Government has won.
I am starting to think now, that GP's are following political agenda. There just seems to be a woeful disparity over standards of care.
Good luck with your battle - it's so frustrating being treated badly when your ill xx
We have really gone into Muskateer territory now haven't we really
Thanks Finlay. I am determined to do something about this and not just for myself. This is happening to alot of people with Fibro or those with other health issues. I will take a stand.
I agree with all of you! I've fibro since last yeat, with arthritis , anemia, severe insomia, one side facial paralysis(kind of numbness), very very dizzy and my left ear is always buzzing or ringing in rythim with my heart.
Last year I lost my job as social work due to all of this and only 4 months later I found pregablin ans gelt able to start looking for work. I start work in jan/12 and I'm already off sick since May!!!! My gp is giving me sick notes 2/2 weeks but he is not very happy or willing to hear me.... always says that we have to hurry u.....
I wish u good luck in your find and please keep us posted cause everybody will be going through the same soon or later! I wish there was sometthing we coulddo to help... Maybe one of those big signatures thingys where we all sign and collect thousands of them and then send it to somebody in the government..... this could help about Esa, Dla, etc.
You really need to get a new GP. I find female GP's are far better with fibro patients than men. Maybe because most of us are female that get the problem. I receive all UK benefits and have gone several rounds with GP's over theyears and I have always won. When it comes to getting benefits just take in a list of your specialists! lol
I may have already found something under the Disabilities Discrimination Act, but I will have to run that by my legal team (my cousin is a lawyer, unfortantly cannot get directly involved) as I am pretty certain it counts.
I have found no end of evidence of doctors doing the same to other patients as mine are doing to me. And the more I dig, the more and more I am finding to go against ATOS, GP's, DWP and the almighty Government.
I been thinking about what the doctor said to me, as for some reason everything comes back the day or two after, and they are more or less blaming it on my weight. Basically, what they are claiming is, I am suffering because of my weight. I am not ashamed to say that I am 5ft 2 and 15st 10. After I had my middle daughter I was 13st and see-sawed inbetween 12st and 13st until I had my youngest 3 yrs ago ... Even after her I was still 13st until I was put on Depo Provera. I put on 3st. But also, I have been like this since I was 15, and I am 100% sure I wasn't overweight then! Again, the easy way out.
ALSO .... I have NEVER been referred to a specialist, never gone for any sort of x-rays, no sort of treatment what so ever. One female doctor said that there is not much else they can do. This will all go against them now and I am going to protest for everyone. Because quite frankly I am not going to be ridiculed by a bunch of morons who only see the '£' sign.
If no one stands up and fights, this will only go on and on.
What? As others have said, what the doctor told you is not true and if that surgery have decided not to give out notes for people with Fibro or ME, that is discrimination.
-Insert big grin here-
I am in the process to kick severe butt on this. It is the two male Dr's I have the issue with, the female one is ok.
What I am going to do is get a copy of my medical notes and see what has exactly been written. Because I do not trust them. And if something has been put down, and it should not be there, then a war will break out. Then, and only then, I am going to put in a complaint.
I am not sure how this goes with the appeal as I was told (once again for some reason I do not believe this) to keep sending in my Med 3's. Now the dr's have stopped that (because after all it is all in our heads) I am not sure where I stand. I can't afford to call the DWP as they take forever to answer the phone and it racks up the bill.
I'm really lucky great GP consultant is ok but hate seeing her now it's just once a week, got ESA medical was fab nice lady but actually building was rubbish to get too. Only thing that pisses me off because I waited over a year after leaving my job I don't get any money as I didn't pay NI in the last year which is wrong if you have worked I the past, they are paying my NI so that's good luckily I don't really need the money but was going to use it to get clearners in to help my mum as I have to live with her can't live on my own, luckily we get on lol
Ino idea how I would cope with a bad GP hope everyone's probs sort themselves out !
Right better try and get body to move to get up took 2 hours yesterday lol
Don't give up your appeal, contact your local support group hopefully they will be able to give you details of a fibro friendly gp practice. Mine are great and give me 6 monthly certificates.
First of all GET A NEW GP!! The one you have a is not a good one! Demand to see rheumatologists and pain management specialists. Demand to have Thyroid testing as well as vitamin D testing done... one or the other or both are usually out of whack in fibro patients. I would also talk with the practise manager in regards to what your GP has been saying to you. If necessary take a friend in with you to your GP apointments as 2 people make more convincing evidence of malpractice when going against the doctor. If you don't get some help then get a new GP outside of that office. Ask your local trust office for help with this if you get static from other offices. The NHS is not infalable but some of its GPs are truely hidious when it comes to listening to their patients. They are more concerned with the government stand on a condition instead of the facts in front of their eyes.
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CAB around here are as helpful as an ashtray on a motorbike. So I am going to contact welfare rights and see what they say. 
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