Feel like just giving up on any help from GP'S

[maddie_1234]

After 25yrs of having to fight for any help & to be made feel grateful for the smallest thing, I just can't fight anymore. The last time I saw a GP was in 2018. I was in agony & needed help with the pain. From the moment I walked into the room, I knew it was going to be yet another let down.

It was, but it was more. She didn't look me in the eye, she was unbelievably condescending & down right rude. To quote one of her remarks, 'You're on plenty of pain relief, you're not dying are you, you don't look to me like you're dying'.

I was determined that I wouldn't let her see me cry. Needless to say she did nothing. As soon as I got into the Car I started crying & couldn't stop for hours. That was it for me. I just couldn't take being treated like that anymore & felt I would die before being treated like that again.

Recently my Psychiatrist wrote to my GP as regards Pain Management for me. I didn't expect much in response & I was right. I got a Text from the Surgery yesterday saying to ring between 8.30 & 10am (You all know that one), 'if you feel your current pain relief is not managing you're symptoms a GP may call you back'. I just can't do it. 😢😢 Don't know if anyone else feels like that sometimes. I'm so tired & can't fight right now.

[DarceyD]

Change your GP and ask for a referral to a pain management clinic. I would also take a supporter with you who knows how much you are suffering. Maybe try writing down some notes to hand over too. Also have you tried the MacMillan helpline 0808 808 00 00? They are brilliant and can really help and you don’t have to be a current patient.

[maddie_1234 in reply to DarceyD]

Thank you so much Darcey. My fear is that the GP's are all the same now. Even the thought of changing which I have thought of so many times fills me with so much anxiety. just right now I don't feel I can cope with dealing with the Medical Profession. Most GP's aren't taking new patients. You know, cause they're 'OVER WORKED'. You would think that other people holding down 2 or even 3 jobs to keep a roof over their heads aren't over worked. what makes GP's on their 6 figure salaries so special. just feel so angry right now but i will take up your advice soon for which I am very grateful. x

[Silver1-lady]

I agree my GP used to be great but not anymore I get more advice from the Macmillan late effects lady who has offered to refer me to a pain clinic where you are resident for 2 weeks

[maddie_1234 in reply to Silver1-lady]

That sounds really good Silver. I will contact them when I'm ready. Just too low, tired & in pain, I don't have the energy right now. thank you so much for responding to me. Gives me faith that there are good people out there who care about others. thanks again. x

[RoseTyler]

I completely understand too. My PRD (radiation enteritis) is getting very difficult to manage. I need the toilet several times every day if I want to eat at all :/.

My GP just says it's due to the fact that I'm over 40 years old. Erm, not bloody really. I had cancer at 30 and PRD became a problem 5 years ago. I'm trying to deal with my bowel problems, not "aging". FFS, I'm not even THAT old! I'm a competitive Showjumper (Horseriding), mountain hiker, and I work outside as a Field Ecologist. Hardly in my dotage. :/

I also now have moderate hypertension from the Chemo regimen I had and my GP also just blew it off, said it was because of aging (again), and wanted to give me more drugs. I'm on several Loperamide a day just to function, so no thank you. I read medical journals myself to realise that the type of Hypertension caused by Chemo is sodium sensitive, so I have just given up salt and my BP is already lower.

It seems that if you want a job done, you just have to do it yourself :(.

Good luck. x

[maddie_1234 in reply to RoseTyler]

Aww RoseT, nothing but nothing surprises me. I feel like I could put on a White Coat & sit at the other side of the desk whether it's Hospital apmts or the Doctor!!!! As I've said, I've been dealing with this for 25yrs & it just gets worse. Are you under a Consultant in relation to your Bowel? I've had to use my Benenden membership (which I would recommend to everyone) to see a Colorectal Surgeon privately. He did my last two Colonoscopies under GA as I cannot tolerate the pain without it & the NHS won't do them under GA (too much hassle for them!!!) . Anyway, when he gave me the bad news in July last year that my Bowel was so damaged that they couldn't even fit a Colostomy he gave me this advice which is how I have to live. He said to only eat a Low Residue Diet (Basically anything white), no Fibre at all & to take Laxatives everyday. If you go onto the NHS Website there's a table of foods you can eat & cannot eat. I have it stuck up on my Kitchen Cupboard. The Laxatives are gentle & I don't take them everyday cause half the time I just don't bother eating like so many of us suffering with Radiation damage to the Bowel. Eating is either just too much hassle or it Hurts!!! I've been given advice by some good People on here to change my Doctor but even the thought of having to deal with them makes me shake with anger. Maybe it's an option for you too? I feel that GP's don't know what they're dealing with & instead of getting us to the Specialists we need they just look at the singular symptoms in front of them. Aww you've got me started now! Good luck & remember to keep up the good fight like the rest of us. By the way, I adore Horses. About 10yrs ago I took riding lessons every week & it did so much for my Mental Health but unfortunately my back couldn't take it & I had to give them up. You're so lucky to be around them. Keep in touch. x