Greetings All, just an update after a rather unfortunate meeting with my new GP yesterday.
First: my apologies for the unusually downbeat picture, but I hope the following will explain why.
To set the scene: my routine appointment for a PMR-related Check-up was with a new, young, very well-presented athletic-looking young Lady Doctor, and whose attitude and behaviour towards me was rather on the ‘Brisk’ side (if you know what I mean?).
My polite (as always..) question: Doctor ‘x’, can you advise please? I am increasingly finding that I am talking to myself under my breath. My friends and family have brought this to my attention and are quite concerned about my Mental Health. Am I losing the Plot?
Lady GP (feigning concern): Ok: what type of ‘Conversations’, exactly?
MB: I continually ask and try to answer my own multi-dimensional and complex Questions about any or all of the Heterogeneity of PMR, the Vagaries and un-predictability of Steroid tapering, how and why Auto Immune-related Deathly Fatigue can paradoxically hit Patients without warning, and whether your Predecessor’s insistence on a Pred reduction / tapering regimen (i.e. ‘PMR Burns-out in less than 2 years, reduce by 5mg every 24 hours for 7 weeks maximum until OFF THEM!’) is a sensible and realistic proposition medically, and in the context of this type of Auto Immune illness? I ask this because I’m also involved in a respected PMR / GCA Community forum where people’s opinions and REAL experiences often provide contradictory answers to these types of questions. Does all of that make sense to you - and what is your opinion?
Lady GP (now rolling her eyes, visibly irritated and glancing at the consulting-room clock): WELL, MR BENJAMIN, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE REASON FOR YOUR CLEARLY DELUSIONAL BEHAVIOUR? AND WHAT DO A BUNCH OF OTHER [..explosion of deleted expletives..] KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS ANYWAY!!!
MB (quietly but defiantly digging-in): I think I’m talking to myself more-and-more because neither You nor Anyone Else around here (i.e. at the Surgery) seem to make any sense of these things either, or can give me any intelligent and helpful answers to my questions. And, to be honest, I seem to get more practical help and answers from that Other Lot of [..quote-back GPs deleted expletives..] on the PMR / GCA Forum. You're supposed to be the Expert. Over to you….?
GP (suddenly loses control, angrily explodes from seat, flexes Esporta-toned muscles): OK (..further, more colourful deleted expletives..) SCHMUCK: HERE’S YOUR ANSWER: GRRR.. BAAAMMM.. THWACK!!!
I don’t remember much immediately after that. Only to say that I got home safely, my black-eye is healing well, and I have today received an apologetic but guarded letter from the GP’s Practice Manager explaining that (q.) ‘Dr ‘x’ is a dedicated and Enthusiastic New Member of our GP Team who always listens to her Patients’ concerns but might have slightly over-reacted in what appears to be an unfortunate Mis-understanding between you both’.
The GP's Practice Manager’s letter also enclosed a £10 Marks & Spencer voucher (q.) ‘As a gesture of Goodwill and in the Hope that you will remain a Valued Patient at our Popular and Well Respected local GP Practice (CQC currently rated Minus 6 out of 5 - but Improving)’.
Oh well.. was I expecting too much from a hard-pressed NHS and a busy GP of whatever age, gender and experience (or not) of PMR and GCA?
Answers on a Postcard please?
‘Uncle’ MB
p.s. This story: Fact or Fiction? As always, I’ll leave You to decide.
And.. if you are in the UK it might just temporarily take your mind off of the latest developments in the BR*X*T Drama..? To quote the old saying: 'You couldn't make it up'...?
Either way, try to look forward to Happy (er) / more positive Days Health-wise in 2019 and try to keep smiling on the PMR / GCA / Pred / GP etc Journey. This, too, will Pass...
p.p.s: you should see me on a BAD day....
(Note: Smiley Face is the Norm...)
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markbenjamin57
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Well this is disgusting. Appalling. I am outraged. The tapering rate you describe is shocking. It’s so slow! Even the thickest of thicks knows you should decrease 10 mg an hour until you go into negative gearing mode and actually begin to GENERATE pred!! And you really should have bought HER a M&S voucher for making her risk her manicure on your chiseled face! Call yourself an evolved man?
I think the gp sounds highly rational. Empathetic. Full of knowledge. And you should be grateful for the 8 seconds she spent on you, ungrateful man !!’
It was an accidental Selfie (the first ever) taken on a freezing cold Christmas morning. I'm not too bad thanks Jane, struggling a bit Pain / Stiffness-wise with the Winter weather but sticking at 2mgpd Pred until things warm up a bit (sometime in June I expect...)
Methinks you have been on the old vino collapso a tad too much ...and let Tedski get the better of you.
What a disgrace to the human race letting a sharp-talking hairy Russian get the better of you ...,...ohh hang on a minute! Maybe not the only one!
No wonder you get no sympathy from the local surgery, you should know by now the advice on here is absolute rubbish - what the heck do we know!
Anyway, don’t know what you’re moaning about - I’ve just had someone hacking about at my right hip with a hacksaw and sticking things back together with cement - now that is something to complain about! And, even if I say it myself, I came out of hospital looking better than you 😂🤣😂.
Are those new words Mark (FACT and FICTION)? Or do they just refer to the present government? I agree that “you just couldn’t make it up”.
Actually, you certainly don’t look as cheerful and well as our Uncle M. You need some TLC. You look almost as cheerful as Tedsky looked in his last photo.
Don't know we have just started a chat on the vote thanks to our Aussie mate Daisychain worrying Ye Olde Brexit might bring on a flare!!
And I have started a panic about the potential threat of a No Deal Loo Roll shortage, a worry when I still have a mountain of Sprouts left in the fridge to consume ,
Doesn't matter which side you sit - I'm a remainer obviously and it's all hell for me otherwise, all the basis of my life for the last 40 years ripped from under my feet, removal of the rights I had to live and work where I pleased, particularly living in one country and working for a company in another and, more immediately and more distressing, probably/possibly no healthcare cover on March 30th. We know nothing except we will be able to stay in Italy legally, we own our home (and it would sell unilke in Italy proper) and we can afford to live despite our income being 20% less than it was in June 2016. There are a lot of people in Italy not in that position and even more of them in Spain - many of who may have to return to the UK without the wherewithal to buy a home and being dependent on social housing and the NHS, adding to those problems.
But to just say No Brexit or even May's deal will upset many people who want out and who believe that the ills they perceive are due to the EU - they aren't and I can say a lots of the things aren't because they are things that are right or at least better in other countries. Why? Because their governments made different decisions to those the UK governments made - starting with TB's assumption that few people from the New Accession countries would come to the UK to work so not setting quotas then - that was always allowed, as well as making the rules for receipt of benefits stricter. When I came here I had to prove I was self-sufficient even without working and I was not entitled to most benefits for the first 5 years. That is normal for most of the EU - although being self-sufficient doesn't mean having an income of £30k, it is more realistic.
A no deal Brexit will mean disaster for many of the people voted for it - because their jobs will suffer, even go - we can see that already. With all the knock-on effects on the local region as incomes and spending power fall. Effects that will take 20 or 30 years to mitigate - and may never recover as the north and northeast still struggle after the loss of their main employment in the 80s.
So no - sorry, doesn't matter which side of the fence. Or even sitting on it.
My gut feeling is that after a lot fighting we will eventually have another vote and then we will, as before remain a member of the EU as it is now. We shall see!
We are trying to help on your post , I am either hiding under a blanket ( just because I always liked making bed tents as a Lass) or putting PMR / GCA philosophy to the whole thing and believing , ' this to will pass' .
We could always all move to Australia and live with you. xx
Ahhhhhh, but you've still only fooled me ONCE! I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I know a jester when I see one! 🤡 {<<<< sorry, no jester emoji!}
Cheer up Mark,there is always Brexit to look forward to,or more than likely NoBrexit !l hope you made yourself a nice hot cup of tea ,plus a good dollop of brandy when you got home .
Outrageous...what were you doing still up at midnight...? You should have been tucked up with Tedski and asleep and not troubling the rest of us with your sob story...!! I think your GP might be closely related to one at my surgery btw...
In fact I was up early (for me) and when I looked you only had three replies. By the time I got home half the world had answered you... Tedski home by now I hope otherwise he might not be fit for The Thickening Plot unfolding...
If they're anything like me they probably haven't...The only reason I was up early was because while I was away at Christmas a rodent, probably the size of a baby elephant managed to sneak into my car and chew a fist sized hole in the back seat and through various wires resulting in all sorts of flashing warning signs requiring urgent garage visit. It also hurled the contents of a first aid kit around the car and generally left a complete mess, though strangely it didn't touch the alcohol warning thingys that the French insist one carries... I had to be at the garage by 8.30 - it was dark when I got up - I never get up in the dark, it's uncivilised. I'm still in shock and waiting to hear just how much said rodent is going to cost me...
Ohh.. Noo! Rodents + chewed car wiring loom = an Auto Electrician's dream (or maybe nightmare?). Hope the damage is traceable and not too expensive. Maybe check if your motor insurance will cover it..?
Just had the garage call...£260.00, plus the £75.00 I already paid them to find out what the damage is...It's almost enough to cause a flare, and that I can do without! Should be down to 2.5 by the end of the month all being well though...
Oh Daisychain, you lovely lady...I only just picked this up...yes indeed a dirty rat or maybe a squirrel? Anyway whatever it was its costing me money that could better be spent on falling down water. Good luck for today btw...just sent you a message in relation to your post last night. Hugs x
Now Mark, it is time to act and get your education mortar board out and think on ..........
How do I educate this new GP who is actually quite frightened at the thought of dealing with people, who because of the 1948 Education Act, Tim Berners Lee and sometimes backward progress, are now able to access each other, where previously if you encountered an illness which is uncommon, would have had no way of finding any nugget of information in the proverbial haystack. Previously we were in a 🚣 boat , now we are in a 🛳 liner able to communicate with each other instead of 🚣♀️ alone.
You could start by 📮 anonymously a copy of the book wot you wrote - a DVD, a booklet called Living with PMR and GCA written by PMRpro.
You must understand that doing the above will probably mean you will be:-
⛔️ from that practice and possibly in every other one in your current location, unless you can find a maverick who actually listens. Your notes on the NHS website will be amended and you will then have to depend on finding a friendly witch 😷
Sorry I was not able to find a postcard big enough to communicate the above unsound advice.
Yep, just saw that too. I'm not surprised - the WSM M&S recently had a facelift and new product ranges. But it still looks like something from the 1970s....
Ahh, the penny drops..........facelift, so that’s what this is all about then, nothing to do with PMR at all!
Won’t start on the 1970s...just to say some were still in their prime then, and I’ve got the photos to prove it...unfortunately.......now they do need a government health warning 🤦🏻♀️😳
I think she is CRAZY! She needs to go see someone about here aggressive behavior before she kills someone. This woman needs Her license revoked! I definitely would not go back and would file a complaint. I do hope you're feeling better and please, don't let this cause more stress. Kitty
Lovely replies, Kitty. Yep, you had me fooled for a minute - thanks! :-D. Nice to have a bit of healthy competition in the 'Wind-up' stakes here: although not too much / too often / inappropriately or we'll ALL get chucked off-of the forum by the Moderators for messing around too much and not taking PMR / GCA seriously enough.
I have read your Post....I BELIEVE, that you, have a new Doctor that didn't really Listen, to your 'Fears'. I think, that your, 'Talking to myself' ramblings are a BIT 'Suspect...As regards you being Physically Attacked, I F..KING HOPE NOT!!!! Please, do tell, me that this is 'Just' a bit of, rather perverse, fun. If, this Doctor, or indeed Any Medical Person, does actually, Hurt you.....No surely not!
Apart from, all the above, and your Miserable Picture....How are you Mark? Still 'Fighting' with, the 'Meds', Pain, Tummy Issues, Aches & Pains, thought so. My Latest problem is Gout, apparently Kidney Patients, are VERY Prone to it. 'Everyone' tells me to 'Lay Off The Port' and it's 'Too Much Good Living'- I take it all, in good fun, they are friends after all.
Being BIG 'boys and girls' my Mum, and I, decided to Go Shopping and get our Christmas Presents, last Saturday. (I had already got her a new 'hand torch', before Christmas) I selected, three new 'T' shirts- the sort with collars- and my Mother a new Top. I also Looked, whilst I was there, for some new Slippers- my old ones are quite worn. Not only did I find some, in a mid- to dark- blue colour, but at FIVE pounds a pair....I got two! (two pairs, that is....Two slippers, would be one pair....)
Have you ever considered this Mark....A 'Pair' of Trousers, is One item.....Ditto Pants, Boxer Shorts (that I never wear) and Glasses. However a 'Pair' of Gloves, Shoes, Socks and Wellies are Two items. A vest, A hat and A handkerchief are stated as A. If a Cold, or similar virus, is going around it's 'A' bug. If you subsequently Catch, this virus, then you have 'It'. If you have a Stomach Upset, you have The 'runs' (or 'shits'). Just some ideas, based on, our language, do you know any more? (there is always 'Which Witch Is Which', 'They Deserted, The Desert, In The Desert' and so on.)
As I said above, I hope that, your post was a 'Bit Of Fun' as well. I know that it is almost, the end, of January (it must be I have put my new Calendars up!) but Happy New Year Mark.
Well: my Post was just a bit silly fun (as usual) Although.. I have heard of similar things happening in GP surgeries! Glad all's well with you (apart from the Gout - I can only imagine). Main thing is, keep having fun, playing with words (Ohh.. I can't keep up..), and enjoy your Retail Therapy - Ha!
Did you hear about the Dyslexic, who went to the 'Toga' party...dressed as a Goat? Then there was the 'Constipated Mathematician', who sat and 'Worked it out', with a pencil. A Vulture gets onto a bus, holding a dead animal "Mind if I bring a Carrion?".
I have just, got back, from my neighbour's place, I took along a nice Bolognaise, along with both Penne & Tagliatelle pastas. After we had eaten, I went back, to get the coffee. I Brought along, my 'New' cups, bought from the Church- they a refurbishing the kitchen. Afterwards I collected 'everything' up, wheeled it home on my Push Along. I unloaded the plates, then pushed it across the floor......Forgetting all about the cups & Saucers! Well they WERE nice, past tense!!!! Serves me right for Showing Off, I guess! I have put all the Bolognaise-y 'Things' into soak. looks like I need some New Cups again....Thought I'd just bought some too...…
I know that you like my 'Wordplay' really, try and Follow this....There are two Skunks, one called 'Inn', and the other 'Owt'. One day Inn & Owt, both go out, this leaves Inn & Owt both out. Then Owt comes back in. This leaves Inn out and Owt in. After a time Owt goes out and Inn comes in. This leaves Inn in and Owt out. By this time it is nearly tea time, so Inn & Owt's Mother, says to Owt "Can you go out and bring Inn, back in". So Owt goes out and, before long Inn & Owt both come in. Inn & Owt's Mother, says to Owt "How did you find Inn?". To which Owt replied.....Brace yourself here Mark....Hold tight.... "Inn Stinked'"!!!!!
I could have asked you "What cheese is Made backwards" but I didn't (it's 'Edam', by the way) If, and I say IF, I have told you about the two eyes talking when one, turns to the other, and says "Between us there is 'Something' that smells" then you would be Really P---d Off but I haven't. Or indeed "Why did ET have three balls?" (because he's the 'Extra-Testicle) the I could understand you being Cross, or Confused. If, and again Only IF, I had asked you why the Scarecrow won an award (for being 'Out Standing', in his field).
I'm certain, that you are 'Very Pleased' that, I DIDN'T, tell you those jokes aren't you. I WILL however tell you one more....If HMS, on a British Ship, stands for 'Her Majesty's Ship' and USS, on an American Ship, means "United States Ship". Then what does AMB, stand for, on an Italian Ship? 'Itt-za My-a Boat-ah'!
Hope that I haven't 'Driven' you too Crazy Mark. Best wishes,
I'm glad 'You Want', my Gout to GO....Funnily enough, so do I!!! It's not, too bad, this morning- so far anyway.....I'll keep you 'Posted' (I'm NOT putting you in a Large 'Jiffy Bag', then taking you to the Post Office....Wrong sort of 'Posted')
There was a Chap, or Girl- it doesn't matter, walking down the street. As (s)he passes a fence, he hears a voice saying "Twenty-one, Twenty-one, Twenty-one...." Intrigued he walks on a little further, until he finds a small hole. Curious he puts his eye, up to the hole, whereupon someone 'Twats' him, in the eye. As he pulls away the voice says "Twenty-two, Twenty-two....
That's all, for now, Beautiful Babe- I'm off to headway, a Day centre that I attend.
You might, be right, about the Jiffy Bags though, being such a Bea'tifal Gal, you might 'fit in'.....In MY case 'They' would have to find a Military Tent, going spare, (and that's only for my Mid-Rift) NOT to suggest that I'm FAT, or anything! Or, when I get 'into' a Swimming Pool, most of the water gets 'Out'.....That I was once Mistaken, for a Road Block....Nothing like that.
I had the chance, to "Speak" to, Peter one of the other Attenders, at Headway, this afternoon. He is a Very Pleasant Man, probably about Forty, who, rather like you, has had 'Problems' with his Medication. It looks like, optimistically Speaking, 'Things' might be settling, for him. I have swopped telephone numbers, with him, telling him, to call me, if he wants/ needs to 'Talk'. The least, that I can do, for a friend after all.
Our, fairly small, Headway Group had gone out for Coffee, this Morning before returning, in time, for Lunch. We have an Ex-Military Chef, who sometimes (not often) comes in and Cooks for us. It's Always a Treat, when Tim can come in. He made a, sort of, chicken Curry, cum Goulash, with vegetables and rice. (A little 'Strange' perhaps but Gorgeous. Not as 'Gorgeous' as you obviously!)
Anyway, my Friend, I must Away. I have a Hospital Appointment, some distance away, tomorrow morning. Afterwards we are going onto Friends.....YES I DO have some!!!
I may, very well, be Out Of Contact for a while L.L (that's Lovely Lady)
Take Care, of your Beautiful self, Love and Warmest Wishes,
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