Update on yesterdays Endo appointment

[Otto11]

Hi everyone

Just a quick update on my previous post a few days ago. The appointment with the new endo went well I think. He was a senior registrar who had just joined the hospital (as several consultants recently retired or left). He had read my previous letters & seemed up to date. I went armed with lots of paperwork with hubby in tow. We really didn't go discuss much at all when he said well lets get bloods done today with a view to a 2 month trial of T3!! Well wasn't expecting that. He was rather concerned about my epilepsy meds amongst others being an issue though. Needless to say I didn't get my bloods done as it was afternoon just after lunch so will go tomorrow morning so as to keep to the protocol. Now it's wait & see. 🤞 Thanks again to you all for taking the time to help me. You are all amazing.

[DippyDame]

That's a good start...well done!

[Otto11 in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks 🤞

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Very well done Otto11. I often take my husband to appointments with me as well; hoping there is less chance of being fobbed off!

[Otto11 in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks I often take him as my memory is poor but wasn't going to this time but it turned out well

[pennyannie]

Well done you - and I'm sure having " Hubby in tow " helped :

[Otto11 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks. I actually think it did as he backed me up so onwards & upwards. He may have his hands tied though which im half expecting so watch this space! (the consultant that is. Not my hubby!)

[pennyannie in reply to Otto11]

Well that's good to read - and a male presence does seem to stop some of us getting totally ignored and dustbinned - sad but true :

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

👏👏👏🤗

[Otto11 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks

[Topsy33]

Well done Otto…but I think it is concerning that one has a better chance of being listened to or treated properly because they have a male with them. Why should that be exactly?

If one has the signs and symptoms of a condition and a history of same, how does the presence of a silent ‘other’ in the consulting room affect the outcome.

Well, we see on here that a silent advocate can and often does Influence a more positive outcome. Thus another observer changes behaviour but why?

Worthy of some research maybe?

[waveylines in reply to Topsy33]

I think you will find its a historical attitude. Male doctors regard it as women's troubles...or we want thyroid hormones so we can loose weight! . There is a notorious Senior Endocrinologist who was recorded at a big annual Endo conference denigrating women', saying they are either non compliant to taking their thyroid hormones or saying they are when they are lying OR its all in their heads.I also think if you take another person with you they are more likely to listen whoever for whatever you are seeing them for. . I've taken a female friend before now.

[Milkyway88 in reply to waveylines]

And it’s not just the male doctors with that attitude either. I recently had a phone consultation with a new female GP, and her opening comment was to directly accuse me of not taking my Levo. Good job it wasn’t face to face…😡

[waveylines in reply to Milkyway88]

Sorry to hear that.... Shocking! I'd be fuming too! Maybe she's been indoctrinated by other endos in her area....lol....

[Milkyway88 in reply to waveylines]

Ha, there’s definitely something. She also said there aren’t any physical symptoms in Hypos. 🤷‍♀️

[waveylines in reply to Milkyway88]

Ah..... Totally ignorant then.... 🙄🙄

[SilverSavvy in reply to Topsy33]

Well Topsy 33...don't you know that any woman over 50 with a view on anything to do with her own body is an hysterical, time-wasting, paranoid hypochondriac.......

I like to take my husband too. Now that I've become invisible and apparently no longer have my mental faculties A witness to the patronisation usually precludes the worst of it.

[waveylines in reply to SilverSavvy]

Terrible.... Poor you.I have been known to take my mobile phone in with me and say may I record this so I don't forget anything you advise me of? Worked a treat until they banned recording!😬 I wonder why?! 🤣