Can't afford private tests or consultations. I'm on ESA (As a result of thyroid) Only option is to persevere with NHS.... ?

[hippochick]

Not everyone can afford private consultations or blood tests. So only other option is to keep fighting with NHS GP's

[HarryE]

I know, it's so unfair. Keep fighting xx

[missdove]

It took me many battles with my previous GP's, I am now on my 5th one but at least she is now trying to help me...I literally had to have a tantrum to get a referral to see an Endo...How sad is that? But hey it worked!!!

Stick with it and change them if you are not happy, depending what choice you have in the area that you live. Good luck D

[hippochick in reply to missdove]

I think I will change GP Practice :-\ Sooner rather than later. Blood test in June seems an age away.. Don't know if I can live feeling like this until then. Isn't it awful! After next results im going to ask for b12, ferritin, vit D next.

[Hidden in reply to hippochick]

It is shameful that they're making you wait so long. Given the time lapse between asking for and getting an appointment, I'd write to the surgery now and request (in strong tones) that b12, ferritin and vit d are done at the same time.

[Kitten-whiskers]

Changing surgeries can help, also their are some fantastic books available for hire from the library - they have lots of great information in them.

It is very hard but I would persist with the doctors, and maybe even make a proper complaint. The illness is awful and makes our lives miserable, our quality of life is effected and yet all they do is a blood test and then send you away because we are 'in the range' - If they actually examined or even just looked at us, they could see the test was clearly wrong. That said I believe we can get well again but it is a case of trialling different things.

Good luck

[Hidden]

I cannot afford private - but it's either that or having no life. You will get nowhere with the nhs, you will just wear yourself down. Buying ndt online is more affordable than you think. If you cannot afford consults and tests, perhaps just buy the tabs online and start medicating. I find it cheaper that way - and once you feel better you can fight harder, look for a job, etc. So what i'm saying is the investment will pay off.

Pls do not get your hopes up re changing nhs gps - see my posts elsewhere about the pitfalls. I changed 3 x and all were crap. I then wrote to all in catchment area and asked a set of questions, based on the answers i knew they would all be crap too

[Schenks in reply to Hidden]

Right on!

[cc120]

I agree 100% with Bluedaffodil. I ran out of energy trying the GP route, and the extra stress caused was unbearable, which exacerbated my hypothyroid condition. Well done for getting on ESA due to thyroid problems, as I thought that was near impossible. But do get GP to test your B12, folate, iron, ferritin, Vit D3 and calcium and if any are low (even if they are within the 'normal' range) increase these before starting on your self-medicating of online ndt, (as body cannot utilise thyroxine if low, especially b12) which works out quite cheap actually and hopefully obviates your symptoms, so you can actually live. I am at the, having increased these levels stage and just starting on 30mg nature-throid, but I will be also buying Thiroyd/Thyroid S from ebay to have a good supply of NDT for nearly a year, just incase. So fingers crossed I start feeling better soon.

I changed GP once after finding out that my GP of over 10 years hadn't informed me that my TSH was 7/8 for over 8 years, ignored my symptoms. The new GP wasn't much better but at least agreed to the further tests, including thyroid antibodies. Only found out about TSH readings when got a copy of my last 10 years of blood tests, last year.

[missdove in reply to cc120]

I am also on ESA due to my thyroid problems, is it really meant to be that hard to get this illness acknowledged by DWP? I have had to battle through 2 tribunals and won both as well ,and I am still in receipt of ESA...

[hippochick in reply to missdove]

I don't know the answer to that missdove. IM signed off with clinical depression. But IM convinced the depression is as a result of hypothyroidism. So are the mental health team. But the GP wouldn't acknowledge this even after they faxed a letter to GP stating this. IM now looking in to having private bloods done and my options for medication depend on the results. If they show overt hypothyroidism i will take action against the GP practice.

[hippochick]

Its all so sickening... IM actually signed off with major depressive disorder! That says it all lol. Atleast I've not got the added stress of dealing with job centres rules ! The mood swings are awful aren't they. Anger, frustration and flipping out over the slightest thing.

[HarryE in reply to hippochick]

My first sick note said 'unexplaind tiredness' - I soon got that changed!! I would much rather be spending my money on more enjoyable things than blood tests & drugs, but I am thankful that at least I am able to. I do hope you get somewhere xx

[missdove in reply to hippochick]

Sadly I know the mood swings far too well...Hence my tantrums at the GP surgery, I have always been pretty feisty anyway but these swings take the biscuit for sure!!! Its truly an awful illness with too many variants...Could be this but it could be that, blood tests in range BLAH! Its gets tedious...Keep on in there :-S

[Hidden]

We are all treated in a very shoddy manner and it is unfair. I've made huge sacrifices so as to treat my health so no holiday for 6 years, no social life, moved to cheaper house etc.

Really wouldn't waste energy on the NHS, they don't give a stuff and are not interested in patients and their health.

[diggercase]

I have a very good gp, who referd me my local hospital to see the endo who I might say was absolutely 1'st class the NHS is 1of the best things in this country ,although abused by some,please listen to your doctor as self medicating can lead to heart problems suthch as arithmas and the like

[HarryE in reply to diggercase]

If I hadn't self medicated I would still be off sick, I was off for 4 months as it was!! And I work for the damn NHS! Very very disillusioned

[hippochick]

I think you're in the minority unfortunately. If I listen to the GP who insists Im 'borderline' underactive. I will never get treated. So I have to disagree in my set of circumstances

[diggercase]

Then if you are unhappy with your gp decision you must insist that he will refer you to a decent ENDO or u will take him to task with the gmc it is your right go to another local gp, and if you are as u say underactive then this gp needs re training

[Hidden in reply to diggercase]

GMC is a gentlemens club and are not interested in patients complaints. Been there, done that, got several dismissive replies from them. They seemed to think it was OK for 3 GPs to repeatedly misdiagnose me and it was normal to spend 18 hours in bed.

[HarryE in reply to diggercase]

Yep, tried that too! Currently have a complaint in about him, utterly hopeless

[Hidden in reply to diggercase]

Just another point ... I wrote two formal letters of complaint to the Practice Manager but I'm assuming that the Practice Manager has no clinical input with regard to GPs. So who has actually ensured that these 3 GPs were once again given basic training in endocronology, ie what they learned at medical college the first time around?

In theory they could still be misdiagnosing patients, after all the GMC didn't want to know and I've been checking the Interim Orders/Fitness to Practice info.

[diggercase]

Cinnamon girl ,sorry to hear u feel that way ,but as u say that u were misdiagnosed 3 times,I take it you have now been diagnosed ,then u need to get a no win no fee solicitor and take them to task , if you have been miss diagnosed 3 times there is something wrong and some thing should be done

[Hidden in reply to diggercase]

It took 4 years for an NHS diagnosis. Complaint now with the Ombudsman but not holding my breath. The NHS is not accountable to anyone and I actually told my new GP that I don't trust the NHS with my health.

The less I have to do with the NHS the better for my health.

[r0dg3r]

I'm I guess one of the few very fortunate ones my GP runs the whole set of bloods every year and because I have a bladder problem as well has left a note of open access to urine tests. He rang me at 6 30 tonight to ask where I'd been all day as he'd been trying to contact me to say he was leaving a precription for me at reception as a sample I took in last week at come back with a massive infection evan though the nurse had insisted I was wrong. I really can't complain at all about the care I get from my GP on all levels. Recently I have been seriously ill with reoccurrent plaurasy and he's been out to see me every week for 10 weeks and sent me as an emergancy on a blue light for treatment at the hospital twice

[hippochick]

Are you hypothyroid then ? I've read in my new book, that one of the symptoms of hypo is chest infection...

[diggercase]

I've had hypo for 20years,my gp sent I me to my ENDO who found a resting heart rate 190-200bp referred to cardio who found enlarged heart atrial fib,stage2-3heart failure,they then sent me to pulmumonery diagnosed copd then sent to sleep apnea I now have too sleep with the Cpap machine ,I have 85%hearing loss !but I feel very lucky to still be here and am very great full that the ENDO is a very professional as are most of the NHSwhom I'd like to thank ,I take a cock tail of 16tabs a day but hey ho I'm still here .

[hippochick]

IM sorry to hear that. They seem to be proactive when heart is under strain. I guess if you're 'borderline' hypo within their 'so called' range. They fail to diagnose and treat symptoms alone. Which seems to be the case for many of us on here. They don't seem to acknowledge symptoms. Just look at the test results. I do wish you well

[diggercase]

Yes I do under stand what you are saying and going through,the mood swings are horrendous ,tiredness ,stress and weight gain are terrible ,I know that the NHS is not 100%perfect but I trust them !a lot of self medicating can cause serious problems !keep persuing them I'm sure will get the right people to help you in time!hopefully the sooner the better,persevere with it I'm sure you will win ,good luck

[HarryE in reply to diggercase]

My self medicating has made me completely well, while the NHS did nothing, so it can work. Of course I would rather be under medical care, but I am not prepared to sacrifice my life while I wait for it. I am glad you get the care you need though.

[diggercase]

Hi Harry ,hypo is not life threatening as I was told by my ENDO,if you look in to it over medicating can cause atrial fib as well as some other cardiac problems ,some of the foreign drug imports are not what they not what say on the packet I don't know where you get yours from,so if you are self medicating buy your self a bp machine with an erratic heart rate monitor on it because to much thyroxcine can be harm full ,glad you are feeling better but please be care full what you take.

[HarryE in reply to diggercase]

Hypo is indeed life-threatening! People used to die of myxedema. I am very careful about what I am doing and have not undetaken it lightly, but I was so ill I could barely stand and I was still refused treatment. So I was left no choice.

[hippochick]

Hypothyroidism isn't life threatening but if the NHS won't treat... There is no other option. Because the symptoms are leaving us with no life. I'm 43 feel 70. after a day out at my son's pass out parade on Friday, I have spent most of my days in bed absolutely exhausted. And aching joints unbearable.. I'm apparently borderline. With a result of TSH at 12.8. That's how helpful my GP practice are.

[diggercase]

Forwardheadlast, I do under stand where u r coming from it can and dose lead to very bad days,find another surgery and look for another gp that will understand how you are with this illness,I know it may seem hard but you will triumph in the end

[hippochick]

The NHS won't help diggercase. I'm not prepared to wait for their misdiagnosis. Which is what they're doing.