Dear all, just a quick rant. I recently had a routine 3 monthly blood test(MTX). I then received a text from my doctor asking me to contact the surgery to book a telephone appointment to discuss further. Also stated that if my symptoms got any worse to contact 111.
Called the surgery and waited the usual 20 minutes before I got through. Told receptionist that The doctor had contacted me by text to arrange appointment. Reply - sorry the doctor is not in today so call back Friday, 3 days later. I also said that I didn’t know if my symptoms were worsening as I didn’t know what they were! Ring back Friday - Forget it, goodbye! Now I’m worrying and I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. NHS111 unobtainable as well. Nowhere to go and no one can help.
I did look at blood results on line and it seems my red blood cells are too big. Unfortunately I couldn’t compare with previous tests as only the latest test results in my records.
I truly despair and now realise how truly awful my surgery is! Other members of my family can walk into their surgery’s reception and book an appointment, mine is like Fort Knox.
Skezza.
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Skezza
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Hi Sylvi, thanks for your reply. I’ve had the same thing 3 times, apparently it’s not possible to book in advance so must be same day and you have to call at 8 am for morning appointments and 1 pm for afternoon appointments! I tried twice, only to be informed, after a 20 minute wait that all the appointments were booked and to try again the next day. I’ve posted my complaint on the NHS website alongside others who’ve had issues with the surgery. They have never posted a reply to any complaint.
Maybe it’s a time to change. I phoned mine GP and asked how many GPS they had….none on the staff payroll unless you count the one on maternity leave. we moved surgery the next day. We are fortunate in living in a city though so can change.
Sounds just like my surgery! Can you bypass the surgery & call or email your rheumatology team to discuss? Or is that like Fort Knox x2? Have you downloaded our new Blood Matters publication from our website? nras.org.uk/product/blood-m... (I think we are out of stock for hard copies at the moment) but you can download or view on your computer if you have one?
We were at a surgery that had been great but was left with one GP on maternity leave and numerous vacancies (been advertising since October 2021). They also couldn’t recruit other staff. We have just changed to a surgery that has GPs and staff.
My blood cells are too large too; macrocytic anemia. We’ve decided it’s normal for me as it’s not extreme; so no action.
If you mean your haemoglobin count is up …I wouldn’t worry too much.I spent months last year dealing with that & in the end the haematologist said GPs always get over-exited when that count is up….but 9 times out of 10, it’s not a problem.
My blood cells have been too big for the last ten years! If you mean MCV levels? Common it seems with RA, and as only about 10-15% above the norm no one seems to care any more.
You may possibly be B12 deficient which can be autoimmune as this is most common reason for raised MCV. Could you phone your rheumatology nurse or consultant’s Secretary instead perhaps?
Your GP practice sounds as useless as my old GP practice. I moved to the only other in my area and they are so much better. Apart from my high inflammation - which they no longer test me for - my bloodwork is always within range these days. But I like to think they would phone straight away if anything came back really abnormal or concerning - or contact rheumatology.
This won't help for now, but might for the longer term. I request a print out of my regular mtx blood tests (they are not allowed to email or post them, so I have to call in for them).
That way I can see if anything varies wildly from my personal normal, or indeed if there's any trend in variation.
We are all entitled to see our med records. My surgery doesn't have online access, so it means calling in for a hard copy.
This IS NOT instead of a phone or face to face appointment when needed, but it can be reassuring to know what's out of the normal range.
And I do sympathise with you, it's so frustrating and stressful not to be able to book an appointment,cespecially when the surgery has instigated it!
I think call your RA nurse, check your concerns with them. I am concerned that 111 was unavailable to you. When you have a GP appointment you must discuss your mental health concerns, I realise those appointments are hard to get as well. Take care
Hi Skezze, So I can keep a record of my bloods, the Consultant at the bri issues me with a yellow card to be filled in at the Dr or Hospital each time I have blood test, I can show any Dr, hospital or dentist if needed.
I have exactly the same problem. Been trying for over a month now as they also sent me a text asking me to make an appointment too. Finally got to speak to the clinical pharmacist! Mine was cholesterol related though. Need to change surgery but is it better the devil you know…I just don’t know.
You can read reviews of potential new surgeries. Phone them up: ask how many doctors, nurses etc they have. You can always move again. We have moved twice in 4 years. I fear we are chasing rainbows but happy for now.
I think it's time to change either your gp or surgery Skezza, as they cannot treat you like this. I would keep the massage you were sent as proof as well. Either that or try to ring again and mention to the receptionist that you are immuno compromised, you've had this message, and therefore you need to be seen. I've have found over the years you have to develop a bit of a thick skin and be more pro active to fight for what you want.
It is impossible at the minute to get Dr appointments. However, if they were that worried about your results they would be chasing you. Your red cells are likely always a bit bigger and I really feel you do not need to be this concerned.
Hopefully you can get an appointment soon.
We have to try to remember the doctor's really are doing their best and under a lot of pressure.
I would send an email in to the surgery, stating you’ve been asked to make an appointment to discuss blood results, but none available when you try. Ask if the gp can contact you when they can to discuss. I have to say if my bloods are a concern I generally get a call from. Gp without needing an appointment, they just ask if I’m free to discuss at this time. I wouldn’t worry too much, if they really were concerned they’d be phoning you. Are you on meds that may need to be withheld whilst you find out the issue, if so mention that in the email. Hope you get answers soon 🤗
My red cells are always large too. Way over range with other red cells which always says observation on bold results but no GP has ever discussed it with me. Same with Platelets always high. Again they don’t seem interested just say we know you always have them. It’s to do with RA 🤷🏻♀️Getting an appointment at our surgery is also a nightmare. No point calling as there are no appointments. You have to write an online message then reception call you to say the dr has read it & you will get a call back in about 10-12 weeks. If at call back they think you need to be seen then they will make an appointment. Like you I had a letter on my app which said unable to view please contact your GP to discuss. That was February & I got a call 2 weeks ago saying it was about my Covid vaccination I had in January 🤷🏻♀️ Like you I also have friends who can walk into their surgeries & make an appointment for the following day! It’s more than frustrating. It’s really stressful.
If you wait until 8.00am or 1pm, this will happen. I ring at 2 minutes to 8 and leave it ringing. It has worked for me so far. When you get through to the receptionist insist on seeing doctor and say you will go to A&E otherwise. They will give you an appointment then.
We currently are not allowed to change GP practices! I couldn’t get an appointment with my Dr either and had a letter to say my blood results needed repeated. I contacted my rheumatology nurse and asked her what exactly was wrong with them and should I be worried? She spoke to rheumatologist, who emailed GP with her suggested treatment. (Steroids unfortunately but necessary!) It really shouldn’t be this hard. M x
As another poster said, it is likely a B12 deficiency which can result in serious symptoms. You could try buying some Vit B12 to see if that helps. I have been taking them for about 10 days and notice a massive improvement in symptoms of tiredness, memory and mental problems. I have RA but I took the tablets because of a low B12 blood reading (230 on a range of 200 to 900). B12 is essential for thyroid medication to work (as I have an underactive thyroid).
I've complained to our practice manager about cancelled prescription orders - 1mg Pred apparently not necessary if I already have plenty 5mgs, insulin out of stock and no attempt to prescribe alternative even though GP was informed by the pharmacy - they say they weren't however. So I struggle to the chemist with my bad legs and find out there's nothing there. No-one thinks of informing the patient, and they bark at me like it's all my fault for not picking up sooner! It's like we're collateral damage. 'We have over a thousand patients' the pharmacist said, 'You can't expect us to contact them all!' Yes, well maybe not ALL of them have no insulin and/or no steroids! There's a war going on out there between patients and healthcare staff, and there's no resolving it. Sorry for adding another rant. It's good to know we're not alone.
Thank you all for your replies, they are extremely helpful and it’s useful to learn from people who are going through similar difficulties. Very much appreciated folks. I’m going to change my GP practice as soon as I can. Skezza
That sounds awful. My GP surgery isn’t too bad, but I haven’t had a F2F since lockdown, sometimes you really do need to see someone.As others have said, maybe could you discuss this with your rheumatology helpline?
My bloods are always abnormal in one way or another, which was picked up by my Rheumatologist who then referred me to a Consultant Haematologist a while ago as she was worried, I saw the chap twice and now I’ve been discharged - so I feel a bit more comforted now I’ve been seen by a blood specialist.
If it’s B12 you might need to have regular injections, I have a few friends who have pernicious anemia and this seems to do the trick.
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