I had my first meeting with my GP following private consultation and initiation of B12 SI treatment 8 weeks ago. He accepted what was said in the letter the private consultant wrote, and agreed to follow up ferritin and folate blood tests. I advised I would have a follow up consult and I would forward the follow up letter from the consultant. When I asked if I could have whatever the consultant prescribed in terms of tests or treatment after the consultation, he said he would follow it to the word and would prescribe whatever was recommended.
I gave him some leaflets, posters and symptom check list (my completed copy) from B12.org and PA Society. He asked if I could drop off a blank copy of the symptom checker so he could help with other patients!
I asked him if he had any suspicion of B12 deficiency/PA when he first seen me in July. He said he read the test results and assumed this wasnt the case as my B12 was high. I pointed out that I came prepared for the consult with an A4 list of symptoms and relevant info (I was vegan, I supplemented a lot, including B12 and folate, I had chronic fatigue for years, etc) and that he dismissed the piece of paper instantly and said "he was never going to read that". I also reminded him that I voiced my concerns that I was using the NHS' time and resources, as so many test results had been 'inconclusive' over the years. I quietly stated that in fact, I had recently realised that for many years now it had been my own time and resources that had been wasted, but not any more. I calmly stated that, due to my own research and with assistance from the PA Society, I found a relevant expert and paid for a private consultation, and that what I now needed from the NHS was ongoing and appropriate diagnostic testing to help find the cause, and appropriate ongoing treatment.
He was a young Doctor and seemed genuinely pleased that B12 therapy was helping me. He admitted he didn't see many cases and that my case is helping his knowledge of B12 deficiency.
All in all, a very positive experience and I hope more people have more success with their GP's in getting the help we all deserve. 🥰