Am I overreacting?

[ScardyCat40]

I've been getting pains in my ribs and today when I bent over in the bath I got a sharp pain where my liver is and its a bit tender to touch. I feel a bit sick but I'm pretty certain that is anxiety. Would it be ok to call my GP Monday morning and see if they can fit me in at the end of surgery even if its just to put my mind at rest?

[Hidden]

Hi

Seems to me that you know what's normal for you and it's perfectly reasonable to seek reassurance about something like this.

Hope you get your appointment and that everything's ok.

Linda

[ScardyCat40]

If i tell the receptionist that I have cancer she'll try and squeeze me in at the end of surgery

[bosue]

Hi, yes see your g.p on Monday,I would'nt worry too much over the weekend, and people go to the docs for a few sneezes, so insist you see someone, let us know how you get on. love Sue x

[BusyLizzie]

Hi Scardycat,

Don't sweat it - go to your GP. They are there to support you through this nightmare. Mine can not do enough for me and I am sure any GP worth their salt priorities such cases.

Hope they reassure you or scan you.

Love Lizzie

X

[Hidden]

Hi Scaredycat

Yes, definitely see your GPmonday. There will be times that you need the support of your GP, better to nip things in the bud if necessary and set your own mind at rest anyway.

Like you the receptionists will fit me in when they know I have cancer, and as with Lizzie my is incredibly supportive and will ring me up after clinis visits to see how I am if things aren't going to plan.

Hope you find some answers.

Love Suex

[Ruby]

Scaredycat, I cannot tell you how near I have been to "I think I might need to go to hospital" on more than one occasion. Convincing myself that this is it! I love a drink and always think I may have liver pain. Then all clear on check up.

Get a check up but probably YES you are over reacting xxxxxx

[MargaretJ]

I had a similar bout back in Feb, rangGP for stronger pain killers, was squeezed in at the end of surgery and it settled down. He would have sent me to hospital but a recent scan showed nothing and it turned out to be post op adhesions. Do go and get checked. Hopefully, like me, younwill turn out to be OK but if not you will get prompt attention.

Take care!

Margaret

[TinaWright]

Hello luvie,

personally I wouldn`t bother with the GP. Phone your oncologist nurse at your hospital for advice. She will tell you what to do.

I had pains coming from my pelvic area last week - I went to the GP but was told I could only see the nurse, she took a urine sample, insisting this was a urine infection. I was put straight on anti-biotics. One week later I felt no better so I called my oncologist nurse who also felt it was bladder problems.

She adviced me to get a CA 125 test done ASAP and another urine test.

Again the urine test came back normal - so we do know there is no infection BUT still waiting for CA 125 which should be released tomorrow.

Its so scary when we get these pains. Its normal to felel a massive wobble come on.

Always get things checked out darling.

I had a real hard job to get my blood test done earlier than a week waiting time, I insisted it needed to be done sooner than that, I was then offered an appointment a few days earlier, that was still too long. The receptionist told me that they only do it quicker for cancer patients. I told her I was a cancer patient and immediatelly she put me in the system for the following morning.

So pushg yourself to the front of the Q luvie.

Best of luck - let us know how you get on, sending you luv from Tina xx

[ScardyCat40]

I don't know who my oncologist nurse is and i don't have a number for them

[BusyLizzie in reply to ScardyCat40]

Do you have a specialist gynae cancer nurse? If not, this may be something else to ask your GP about. I was assigned one as soon as I was diagnosed, and she is an expert in oc and knows the different ways things can unfold so is another souce of advice on care. I also have a mac nurse who liases with her and my GP.

Love Lizzie

X

[ScardyCat40]

I was assigned a macmillan nurse when I was at St Mary's where I had surgery

[ScardyCat40]

Now I feel confused about who best to go to. When I was at st Mary's I always went to my mac nurse and they sorted everything out for me but since I've moved over to The Christie the only point of contact I seem to have is my consultants secretary

[ScardyCat40]

I've been thinking about what you have all said and I'll give the Mac Team at St Mary's a call. They went through diagnosis with so should be able to advise me

[ScardyCat40]

I actually work up early this morning not feeling too good so I decided to ring my GP practice. After several attempts I managed to get through and amazingly I have an appointment with my GP at 09:00. I think this will be the first time I have seen her.

[ScardyCat40]

I'm back from my GP I got a bit irritable (probably because I've been awake since 05:00) but she hadn't read my notes so was initially unaware of my cancer diagnosis. Then we quibbled over the common symptoms all because I said I had ascities which was making me feel permanently bloated. She said that was an unusual presentation so I said it wasn't and that bloating was a commonly reported symptom. She then said that feeling bloated and having ascities wasn't the same thing so I just responded that in my case the ascities was causing the bloating. Anyway rant over.....

She thinks I have an infection of the gall bladder because of where the pain is and I kept retching when she was examining me. I have some antibiotics and I have to go back to see her on Wednesday. My next follow up at the hospital is in a couple of weeks.

Is it unreasonable of me to feel angry and disappointed that she hadn't read my notes and seemed unaware of my condition. I know they see a lot of patients but this is what puts me off going to see my GP.....

[charlie12]

Hi there

Of course it's not unreasonable that you would feel angry that she hadn't even read your notes...it's what you are paying her for via your taxes. How awful for you, poor thing.

If it's any consolation I was referred to a consultant general surgeon for investigation of worsening of post op pain. When I opened the zip of my trousers for him to have a look at my tummy he pointed at my scar and exclaimed loudly "What's that ???". I am certain that he hadn't read my notes either, or indeed the letter from my original consultant that took 3 weeks to reach him, despite the fact that her room is about 10 yards across the coridoor from his ...grr !!!

The main thing is that you have a course of treatment and I really hope that it helps alot. I

Love

Charlie xxx

[ScardyCat40]

I'd only spoke to her a week ago on the phone because I had a throat infection and she'd read my notes then

[BusyLizzie]

I am amazed she does not know all about ascites and bloating full feeling given the new oc awareness campaigns in my surgery! The only thing I would say is this is probably more of a case for consulting her regularly as she will become familiar with your case the more regularly you deal with her and hopefully will be able to provide better support. I only saw my GP for the first time when I reported my fears last year but he has travelled the downs and downs (not many ups) of these last 12 months with me, and now I write him a letter almost once a week asking for new meds, a referral, just for his info about how a referral went etc and he rings me during surgery each week just to catch up now things are getting very tough. This is invaluable to me and he liases with my mac nurse and the district nurses. I never appreciated before this year how good a GP could be.

Love Lizzie

X

[ScardyCat40]

Yes but how many of the doctors take note of the patients posters or leaflets. There is a training module for OC that they can do as part of their cpd but i just wonder how many GPs are aware of it. I have actually been to the surgery quite a few times but this is the first time I have seen my GP. I envy you your relationship with yours. I might try and different tack on Wednesday.

I felt patronised when she made her comment about bloating and I thought well what causes bloating and I remembered something about the 5Fs but could only remember 3 of them

[Whippit]

Dear ScardyCat

Your experience with your GP sounds dreadful. I have had varying experiences in the past when I used to just take an appointment with whomever cropped up on the list. Over the last 6 years or so I've organised appointments with the one I feel most comfortable with. This has paid off. My GP knows me well, he takes time to have a chat after the main purpose of the visit has been done, and he knows what makes me tick. This is, I think, the most important thing. We all have personalities and manifest our problems in different ways. It's important to find a GP that suits you so your times with the GP are both reassuring and informative.

I think there's no problem in thinking about changing your GP - either within the same practice, or at another surgery. They should most certainly be aware of your OC diagnosis before you walk through the door even if they want to read your notes during the consultation to refresh their memory on your case.

I hope your problems are soon resolved - both the current discomfort, and the difficult relationship with the GP.

xxxx Annie