GP's

[Rockpool60]

GP surgery filed away letter that had my new prescription on it instead of getting the doctor to action it...the receptionists make me feel like I am a pest...when asking for information,..and have waited a week for an appointment for breathlessness and palpitations..:/....sorry for moaning...hope you are all taking care xxxx

[sylvi]

You can complain to the practise manager about her attitude. You don't need that while you are suffering. xx

[Rockpool60 in reply to sylvi]

Hi thanks but usually they are lovely..just got a jobsworth..x

[helixhelix]

It's frustrating isn't it when things don'tnwork as you expect, and seems to be very common for us RA people...The thing I've learnt over the past few years is never to expect anything to happen automatically, I always double check now. And sometimes going to talk to the receptionists again first so they know how much you're relying on them can make a difference. Polly

[Rockpool60 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi Polly...I don't know where my message went that I posted to you..thank you for answering my question..some of the receptionists are lovely..and some are just nasty...no people skills. take care xxx

[Hidden]

Receptionists have the power to make or break us sometimes don't they? One of ours is the sister of a good friend and she's a complete horror! She is abrupt and snappy and hard as nails so I dread getting her on the phone or in the flesh. She always seems to roll her eyes about or at me and one time my husband made me go back in and confront her when she was being obstructive. But her sister is really nice and they look so similar it's disconcerting. I always want to put the phone straight down when I hear her voice but force myself to be assertive. It's hard going if you have a chronic disease like RA because you know you'll have to encounter them over and over so can't afford to alienate them. And the nasty ones make you feel as if being a regular makes you a hypo?

A week is a long time to wait with breathlessness and palpatations - same in my surgery unless i agree to see a locum but that usually leads to complications and contradictions so I try to hang in there and just see one of my usual GP at regular intervals. TTx

[Rockpool60 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tilda...know exactly what you mean...they know me by my first name ..eek...feel like oh here she comes again :/...doctor sounded my chest and heart...she thinks I am having panic attacks so now on beta-blockers as well. Today is MTX day so haven't been too bad..just feel my life is not my own at the minute don't you sometimes? Trying to be positive..going to podiatrist on Monday and then the OT is coming to my house..it seems all too much and it has only been since May. How are you? take care.xxxx

[Hidden]

I know how panicky I get sometimes Rockpool - it's normal and the least we should expect is a decent service from our surgeries. They are lucky to have good jobs and it's people like us that keep them in these jobs so they would do well to remember that. I had an OT and a physio contact me regularly at the start but haven't needed them recently as no problems with my joints lately. But I am feeling rubbish again after taking my MTX last night. When I mention to my GP that I'm feeling tired, low and nauseous a lot of the time he just doesn't seem to know what to say or do. I never get checked any more beyond blood tests - it's just all put down to thyroid or RA or menopause with me which is probably quite right but it would be nice to have the odd check up of heart, chest and other things to rule out any additional stuff too. Ah well I've got a rheumy apt a week tomorrow and feel as if I've got to be on tip top behaviour and treat it like an important exam so already planning my approach, questions, what to tell him and what not to bother him with etc so I come out feeling that I've got an A grade for my performance! X

[Rockpool60]

Hi Tilda..exactly know how that feels. not that great today..as it is MTX day. I must admit I get really fed up of so called friends thinking that I am quiet..and shouldn't I soon be feeling better...I haven't got a cold :/....good luck with the rheumy and hope you get answers to your questions. I feel a bit of a pain at the moment..I know I am not depressed..as I know what that feels like..I am just majorly peed off...I hope you get an distinction take care and hugs xxx