Patients suffer on a conveyor belt of care. Article front page of Times today

[crimple]

They are talking about elderly patinets but in my view it applies equally well to us thyroidies." patients given cocktails of unnecessary drugs. Paternalistic docs too often respond mechanically and fail to consider individual needs". Sounds all too familiar to thyroidies. "NICE is attempting to reverse their behaviour" that will be the day! "Docs should discuss the pros and cons of treatments with patients" we should be so lucky! Sorry to sound so cynical, again!

[Joyia]

As an elder my recent NHS experiences are thus; attempted a starch free diet which is documented to reduce joint pains especially in the spine, a startled GP with a panic look due to lack of knowledge suggested I see a Dietician; duly saw NHS Dietician who said he had never heard of a starch free diet, I suggested he look on the internet and he learnt that Middlesex Hospital have a research dept devoted to the subject (what are they teaching Dieticians!). The Dietician also developed a panic look due to lack of knowledge, to be fair I did have a HLA-B27 blood test after some badgering on my part which came back negative. What on earth is wrong with my spine then I asked GP, probably degeneration due to old age he commented, an insight on his part that did not have the benefit of a scan, so am left floundering around with the feeling as I left the surgery that I am too old to be taken seriously.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2004 yet my GP asked how long I have had spinal pain, is it about six months he said obviously not having familiarised my history but relying on the computer to update himself. Sadly this story is all too familiar and gets worse as we age. Lastly much to his despair I refuse his offer of drugs that do nothing to get to the cause of my difficulties, a well founded diagnosis does not enter the equation, second guessing seems to be the norm.

[crimple]

Yes that is the really big problem, they cannot diagnose the problem so they use you as a guinea pig for a cocktail of drugs. As for actually finding out what causes the symptoms, rather than trying to cover them up with a placebo effect of unsuitable drugs, well pigs might fly first! I detected a bit of an "attitude" when I asked about my Dad's diagnosis of Crohn's. The response was he could eat what he likes! Not very helpful and it took me several months to persuade him to avoid various foods. He is doing better now but only because I took the trouble to inform myself via books and internet. What baffles me is why do they (docs) spend 6 years in training which involves reading and practical but their patients are not deemed fit to do their own research and come up with their own solutions. It's as if you have to ask permission from them. I don't expect them to be experts in everything but a little modesty on their part and an admission that they don't know it all and being willing to listen to what you have discovered! Well like I said "pigs....

[Hidden]

As an older patient i must say I agree. Since being diagnosed with Parkinsons 2010 then hyperthyroid November. I quiet honestly feel Drs think my brain has disappeared.

Sometimes I feel quite vulnerable tearful and often angry at their attitude. I've reared five children at the same time run support groups for women coming off tranquillisers. Worked for victim support, also Age Concern. Do my family tree almost every day. I still have an enquiring mind. Loved walking, nature and the countryside and find it frustrating that my Parkinsons holds me back physically at times.

I feel so angry whenI sometimes feel that people don't even see me, that I've become invisible.

Got Endo appointment today at 3:30, dreading it because I reduced my Carbimazole from 10mg to 5mg when someone said I was going Hypothyroid. Woe betide him if he says anything that might upset me, my granddaughter is coming with me and she won't be happy. That's why I am worried.