Perhaps I'm being oversensitive?

[Nettac]

Is it usual to be made to wait a month for a GP appointment, despite low iron levels (8 ).

I noticed my levels were low as I always check results. Rang GP surgery to ask for advice. I was told by the Rottweiler receptionist that the doc did indeed wish to see me, and next appointment was end November! I explained I felt like a corpse and that I thought an earlier appointment would be appripriate. I was then offered an appointment two days before original appointment with a doc I hate. No thanks! So a month it is.

I popped into chemist this morning for floradix and a chat with pharmacist.

I've actually had to cancel ultrasound today because I don't have the energy to catch the two buses hospital. I'm feeling sorry for myself .

[Hidden]

Oh, sending empathy. I am feeling a bit sorry for myself and wondering if I am too sensitive today too for different reasons. Hope the floradix helps you to feel stronger. Take care

[Hidden]

Have you tried Patient Transport to get you to and from hospital appointments? Your surgery will have their number. It's worth a try.

[SoulmanPaul]

Oh my goodness that's terrible. It's made me realise how lucky I am to have my GP. With my surgery you call at 8am. If you ask for an appointment your name goes on a list. A doctor calls you back usually within the hour and if they decide they need to see you, you get an appointment that day. I wish everyone had the same!

Paul

[Eiram50 in reply to SoulmanPaul]

Exactly the same where I am paul. However, should you wish to see your own gp, or ant specific gp, I’m not sure what the waiting time might be- haven’t known anyone to wait a month though? Seems unacceptable to me.

[Paula-C]

I think this is so wrong. RA is a serious disease to have and to be triaged by the GPs receptionist is so wrong, especially since the doctor wants to see you. If you are on any of the anti tnf drugs there should be a red flag on your medical notes and if you ring for an appointment you should be seen that day. I've never had to see if this works because I've always been able to get an appointment when I phone, yes I'm ringing when the surgery opens and constantly re dialling till I get through.

At my surgery you can request a telephone appointment with a GP, I know that's not what you want, but it may, once you've spoken to a GP get you an appointment quicker. Have you thought of phoning your specialist nurse to see if she/he could phone and say you need to see someone asap? I know mine would if needed.

Hope you get something sorted soon. x

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Nettac - Iron anaemia tends to be interpreted in the context of other results in the FBC, ferritin levels etc..

Plus, sometimes, the reading can be 'corrupted' by supplements such as biotin (this will depend on the assay used in particular pathology labs). I'm just mentioning this here because hair loss is associated with some DMARDs and it's not implausible that some people take a B-complex supplement or a 'hair and nails' supplement.

I don't know about your medication, nor should I - and I'm sure that you talked this through with the pharmacist before purchasing the Floradix.

However, I'd be cautious about supplementing iron without guidance from your rheumatologist or GP. If you're prone to infections, it's not unknown for the body to sequester iron away from the blood levels so that it's not available as a fuel for some pathogens (e.g., bacteria).

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Nettac I'm replying to myself so I don't clutter up your thread too much - how are you with liver and other iron-rich foods such as red meat, seafood, usual dark, leafy green vegetables etc.?

[Nettac in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Hi

I'm not usually big meat eater, but have been eating liver, and grass fed meat. I eat a ton of veg, including spinach and nettle.

I was also taking spa tone with fresh orange juice. Surprised I'm anaemic. I don't take any supplements.

I suspect the anaemia is caused by a recent flare up.

I hope it's nothing to do with the cox 2 drug I took for three days!

[Sweetheart0377]

Whilst your waiting try eating more greens ( I wasn’t impressed with that answer either ) some one said Brussels sprouts so I found a way of eating them with their horrible taste . Fry lardons of bacon first , finely chop Brussels like coleslaw add them in when bacon is crispy 5 mins later it’s cooked and delicious xx

[Nettac in reply to Sweetheart0377]

I eat tons of green leavy veg. Friends have allotments !

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Nettac]

I’ll shut up then lol xx

[Nettac in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Lol

[helixhelix in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Lardons are heavily processed and have loads of salt & antioxidants. An alternative is to roast (or pan fry) Brussels with chopped hazelnuts. Just as nice and twice as healthy.

[Hidden]

Waiting for almost 2 months for a doctor's appointment? You're not being overly sensitive...that's just appalling!! Plain and simply appalling.

[Mandy8175]

I am in the U.S., and have never had to wait that long to see a doctor not even my rheumy! Eat spinach and kale and liver!!!!