HOW LITTLE OUR GP'S KNOW

[shazstep]

Saturday

Had a great day went out with friends and no problems. I was very happy

Sunday

I woke up very short of breath and eyes were not focusing properly.

Monday

Awoke feeling every part of my body was swollen. I went for blood test but their hours have changed and they were shut. Rang gp and he asked me what dose did I think I should be on. My reply was that is why I am ringing you. He decided to increase dosage from 7mg to 10mg and ring him first thing Wednesday morning.

Tuesday

Feeling much better but a few aches and pains. My gp does not work Tuesdays so I decided to take it upon myself to increase to 12.5mg.

Wednesday

Rang gp but he was too busy to take my call. Staff said he would ring back. Still no call by 6pm so rang again. Staff said he was still seeing patients and would call me.

Thursday

Have not received call from gp. Staff would not give me info from blood test other than to say esr and crp were quite high. I am feeling ok on 12.5mg.

So now I am looking for those with actual experience. How long do you think I should stay on the 12.5mg dose? By how much do you believe I should lower the dosage. I have been on 7mg since the beginning of May but increased when I had the flu and pneumonia for 3 weeks.

I feel so blessed to be a part of this group. Like many others I don't post regularly but read posts every day. Keep up the great work admin.

[Hidden]

Hi shazstep, sounds like a familiar set of issues. I I were you I would be staying at 12.5 for 4 weeks, especially if the markets were rising too. After 4 to 6 weeks I would see how I felt. If still a bit rocky, bloods and exhibiting symptoms I would stay. I would be tempted to reduce by 0.5mg on dead slow taper so the markers come down and you don't suffer from pred withdrawal. Good luck 🌻

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Until you feel really well - at least a couple of weeks. and then only drop to 10mg. And defiitely until you have had the bloods done again to be sure they are heading back to normal for you.

What on earth is the point of doing blood tests and not allowing the patient to know what they are promptly?

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I think the receptionists are not allowed to give out blood tests until the doctor has OKed them. I had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and phoned up four days later to be told that they had come back but the doctor had not looked at them. I then phoned up the following week again four days later and the doctor still had not looked at them! I was told it was holiday time. I did have a call from the on duty doctor and hour or so later in all fairness.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

They shouldn't be - but it seems to vary with the weather and the runes ...

Either way - prompt approval must occur - otherwise you end up with the ridiculous situation you had. What's the point when it takes 2 weeks to get an answer?

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

I do wonder how long it would have taken if I had not phoned. I am actually on line so I can see when they do check. I had thought of waiting to see but my curiosity to see the results overtook me!

Perhaps I should learn to read runes.

[PMR2011 in reply to piglette]

I have it set up so after 48hrs my labs get released to the patient portal even if a physician has not seen them. It would seem I am usually the first to see them, which I think is brilliant!

[piglette in reply to PMR2011]

We are blocked on our system from doing that. Your system sounds really good. Even if I phone up or turn up for results the receptionist won’t give them to me until the doctor has seen them. I suppose people might see results before being checked and panic and the doctor will not be around to help them.

What system is your surgery using, we have patient.co.uk?

[PMRCanada in reply to PMR2011]

Each patient at Life Labs here in Ontario, Canada can set up an account to see all test results. I get bloodwork gone monthly and can see my ESR and CRP results within a day or so. Copy goes to GP. Nice to have them especially if elevated, which helps with dosage.

[Blackcat1M in reply to piglette]

Hi, when I have my mtx bloods done which include ESR/CRP, I can get my results printed out two days later, which I found odd, because other blood test take longer .

The receptionist always does this with out any problems.

[piglette in reply to Blackcat1M]

Normally most tests take two days to be checked at my surgery. The surgery had mine this time for over a week but because no one had checked them they could not let me have them. I do wonder what is happening at my surgery also my pharmacy where my drugs are taking a week to arrive. Could it be B*****?

[Blackcat1M in reply to piglette]

might be, but i knowmy doctors do not read the results, as at my last app. when i asked about the result of my crp she said oh i dont know i will look, i said its here on my print out she looked very sheepish

[piglette in reply to Blackcat1M]

I know my GP does not bother to read letters from consultants. I really do suspect they skim over things and a lot is missed. I suppose in ninety per cent of cases it doesn’t actually matter.

[alvertta in reply to PMRpro]

In Canada we have a company LifeLabs. I get my blood test at 8 am. Results on line by the following morning at 8 am. Government pays.

[Blearyeyed in reply to alvertta]

Your just showing off now!😋😂😂😂😂😘😘

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to alvertta]

I get some results same day (2 hours for some things) from our hospital lab - but not everything is done there or done everyday.

[PMRCanada in reply to alvertta]

Yep....that’s what I just posted before seeing your response. Gotta love Life Labs and our system. Now.....if we could just get coated pred here in Canada. 🤔

[alvertta in reply to PMRCanada]

Yup.

[SheffieldJane]

Your doctor sounds a bit rubbish. I feel concerned about the swelling. This is not typical and needs investigation. Are you on other meds apart from Pred.?

If you feel well on 12.5 mgs of Pred I would be inclined to stay there for a while before trying to taper. Are you seeing a Rheumatologist too?

It may be that the pneumonia has not cleared up. Something’s amiss.

[shazstep in reply to SheffieldJane]

I see the rheumi at the end of the month. I am on blood pressure, cholestral, diabetes medication. I spoke with gp this morning. crp was 19.5 and esr was 51. My diabetes reading was fine.

[shazstep]

Thank you for your caring comments. It helps me so much.

[Blearyeyed]

So I assume your GP told you to stay on the 12.5mg until the end of the month when you see the Rheumatologist , who should then do the tests again , and make the decision of when you reduce from there.

And as said above don't try and rush back down again , go to 10mg as you first drop and see how you go from there.

Take care and treat yourself better than your GP has , rest , fluids and whatever makes you feel more cuddly on the inside.

[Marymon]

Ask your surgery if they have

Patient Access. It is an online service you register for. It gives you access to all your tests, results of latest as they are logged into your record, with dates, Doctor, reason for past appointments. You can book appointments, choose Doctor, day and time all available are shown, and a box to describe your symptoms.

Re order prescriptions, to be collected from pharmacy. etc., and yes I do realise how lucky I am.

I think all medical practices should adopt this system as it saves time for patient and staff. It is in conjunction with NHS, no doubt there will be IT costs in setting up the system.

Of course, there will be people who don’t or can’t use it but. Progress with no snappy receptionists to deal with.

[shazstep in reply to Marymon]

Thanks for that advice. I just had a quick look at the site. I thought it was for doctors only.