More or less given up on the NHS ...

[CarolineC57]

For the third time in two months an appointment with my GP has been cancelled by the surgery. I feel for the doctor as I think there must be something going on in her personal life ... but not being able to get to see her isn't helping me get any further investigations, a diagnosis and any treatment. The only other good doctor in the practice retired last year. I've recently tried one of the other docs ... but she suggested it was all stress! *rolls eyes*

So, I've now had a Blue Horizons blood test done privately and I'm awaiting the results (this week, I hope). I'll post the results on here when I get them as I'm sure I'll need help interpreting them. It isn't just the thyroid blood tests - I've had vitamins B12 and D done, along with feratin, folates, and all the other things. It seemed like a really comprehensive test.

Then, depending on the results, I have a number of possible courses of action to take:

1. I'll first try one of the other GPs in the practice who I think *might* be OK. Armed with the results of the bloods and some knowledge of what it means I hope I may be able to persuade him to take appropriate action - whether it's referral to an endo, B12 injections or whatever.

2. I notice that Dr Peatfield has an outreach centre near me and I was thinking of trying that. But is he still ill? I've actually started supplementing myself with NutriAdrenal support - and it's the Nutri supplements which he tends to use, I think. I've done some research and it seems that the usual recommendation is to try to improve adrenal function first for a couple of months and then go on NutriThyroid. It would be better, of course, if I could work with a health professional like Dr P on this, but if I can't then I guess I have to do it myself like this.

3. I was really disappointed to find that the only private consultant on the TUK list in the North of England had shut up shop. So, if I need to go down a route where I really *do* need medical support then I've got a problem (for example, if I need T3 as I don't convert T4 to T3 properly). But there is one option open - though it's a long way to go for it! I see there's a private consultant just south of Winchester. I live fairly close to a regional airport which has a direct flight to Southampton. In theory then, I could fly to Southampton early in the morning, get a taxi the 15 or so miles to this consultant (and back to the airport again), and then fly back home the same day. I'll be completely wrecked after that though!

So, those are my options. Let's wait for the blood test results and see what happens ...

[Hidden]

Good idea to try a different GP. I was about to change surgeries because I was not being treated correctly. By fluke another GP who I had never seen before telephoned and said he was not happy with my blood test results and referred me to an Endocrinologist. Funnily enough I was talking to someone today and she told me my preferred doctor is the one she avoids.

Can you not ask for a referral to am Endocrinologist? You feel dreadful, you think it could be thyroid or hormone issues can they refer you?

[CarolineC57 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Chickens! This GP who keeps cancelling the appointments was going to refer me to an endo depending on the results of the blood tests I had there. Problem is, the few tests she did (TSH, T4 and antibodies) all came back "normal". I was due to go back to her and was going to ask for at least a T3 test - but that appointment was cancelled. That was when I decided to get the tests done privately. So, I made another appointment with her for when I have those results - that's just been cancelled too!

Honestly, the rest of the doctors in the practice are really hopeless. There is this one who I think *may* listen if I have the test results in front of me - but there's no guarantee he will. Perhaps if I tell him that his colleague had been thinking of referring me to an endo he might do the referral - I just don't know.

I was thinking of changing practices. But I think I'll try this other GP and then my other private options for preference. You never know if you might end up going to an even worse practice - and then there's no going back!

I think a private doctor/consultant is my best bet, to be honest. Even if I do get a referral to an NHS endo the chances are they will probably say that, because my TSH is "normal", they won't do anything.

I've been fighting doctors for so many years - got so many diagnoses (ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia) and then they just leave me to it. I'm feeling worse and worse, and getting even more disturbing symptoms. I've made a New Year's Resolution that this is the year I find out what's *really* going on - I'm fed up of all the messing about on the NHS.

[Hidden in reply to CarolineC57]

In my experience I have found if you don't dictate to GPs and try to tell them how to do their job they are amenable. I repeat what they say "in your opinion ... " "can I just clarify ...." I go in and act completely dumb.

Do your research on the private or NHS Endo.. A lot are experts in Diabetes with limited knowledge of thyroid. The first Endo i visited was a Diabetes whizz . He was lovely and if you had diabetes he was your man Regarding the thyroid he knew very little. In the end I chose another Endo and another hospital. You can choose and book what hospital you want to attend. I went to the nearest University Hospital. Larger patient base and more experience.

Good luck