Finding a better GP

[lucie982]

Ive always had reservations about my GP but this last few weeks have been a total joke.

Had an asthma flare first treated with 5 day pred, wouldnt give antibiotics despite me always ending up with secondary infection but out of hours prescribed a few days later.

Thanks to the infection i needed a longer course of pred but gp said no, wanted me to wait until i finish antibiotics, wouldnt allow me a ventolin inhaler as i usually manage with only symbicort and basically said "sit and let the breathless feeling pass" All telephone consultations thanks to covid.

3 days later i had to go to A&E, after lots of nebs and steroid iv they found the antibiotics had not worked, high white cells and infection seen on xray. They prescribed another short couŕse of steroids, diff antibiotics and ventolin. 2 emergency Drs were not keen to discharge me but the resp DR said "shes not wheezing now send her home. My sats were 93 at that time. Over the next 2 days i struggled and had to go back to A&E. They then gave me a magnesium infusion and kept me on oxygen until i could hold my sats above 94.

Still feeling a little wheezy i contacted an asthma uk nurse, i really didnt want to go back to hospital so took their advice. The nurse said my 30mg dose of pred was unlikely enough, so encouraged me to explain to GP that 40mg was more appropriate and that 5 days would end on weekend so perhaps to prescribe 2 extra days as a precaution. Bearing in mind id been very unwell and my sats were still having uncomfortable dips she thought they would agree this is what i needed.

So called and explained everything, whoever i spoke to sounded like they were listening then right at the end said "i will prescribe 30mg for 5 days but would you like ventolin, i see you requested it before"

I collected the steroids and took 40mg, within 5 hrs i felt so much better(minus the awful side effects that im pretty used to) now ive gotta hope 4 days at 40mg puts an end to it otherwise ill have to tell someone at the gp surgery that i went against their medical advice .

Are gps just hit and miss? ive never had the greatest deal of trust with them. I know the whole cobvid situation wont have helped.

How do i find a good GP?

[Troilus]

My GP is pretty much the same. I went to see him because my peak flow was dropping. He said it was ok. Didn’t need antibiotics or steroids. It continued to drop, so a week later I went back. He repeated what he had said on the previous visit. As I left he said, “ Don’t worry. If you have an attack, which you most certainly will, I will prescribe for you.”

Three days later I had two attacks, saw a different DR who upped my preventer and prescribed a course of steroids.

[Junglechicken]

I’ve just penned a post about changing my GP. I was also having a terrible time with my GP. I decided a while ago to change but was a bit worried about the logistics of it all. I took the plunge on Friday and the new surgery has sorted everything out, repeat meds etc very quickly. One short form with basic personal details, name of previous practice,proof of address and ID is all it took. I asked around and heard good reports about this surgery. I also looked at online reviews (google, Facebook etc.). GP surgeries are also inspected by the healthcare commission. The reports are available on line. My new practice had “outstanding” for the support it gives to those with chronic conditions. Hope that helps.

[twinkly29]

The not prescribing antibiotics straight away is, I think, fair enough. I know you said you normally get a secondary infection but if you didn't have one at the time then not prescribing them was probably right - asthma itself doesn't need antibiotics (I realise you know this!) Taking them when you didn't have an infection presumably wouldn't do anything except mean that, down the line when you do need them, the antibiotics may be less effective.

Obviously that doesn't mean the rest of your care has been good. To answer your question, yes there does seem to be a variation in asthma care. Junglechicken's advice/approach to finding a new practice looks good. I hope you're able to find somewhere more supportive!

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi lucie982

I would def do your homework and move on...!

You can get online reports and reviews about local GP surgery’s.. ( I think Junglechicken has given some good advice there) and I think I need to do the same too!

Problem is I feel like I have a ‘sense of duty’ to my surgery who I have been with for many many years and in the past have been ok. I find though that all the ‘older’ GPS that used to spend a bit of time and show some interest have either retired or only work 1/2day a week and the locums that replace them just don’t seem to have the same commitment?🤷‍♂️

There is no longer any continuity of care in my practise and this has been made even worse now with the Covid situation.

My surgery actually spent several weeks with the doors locked! Which I get to an extent atm but must have been very scary for people with no online access.

I have spent a week in hosp and started biological treatment during this time and my GP is not aware of any of this!!

Even now you can only contact via e-mail...

Anyhow sorry for the rant!😜 but I feel quite frustrated ( like yourself!) about the lottery of good or bad GP treatment. There are people on here who seem to have really good GPS - so they do exist! We just need to find them.

Take care xx

😊👍

[mariyn]

Look for another g p Ask around and look at reviews on line My g p lets me keep spare steroids and anti biotics for my own sensible use Take care Marilyn

[Wintersbite]

Your story sounds very similar to mine I moved area and had a new patient appointment and the new doctor couldn't believe I had 7 2nd opinions he gave me back my medication which had been refused for 6 months not good when you have epilepsy aswell as asthma and he also found that the reason why those GPS where ignoring me was because thay couldn't find the fact I actually did have cancer and thay didn't bother to look where I was saying that new GP found all this out in 24hrs he was shocked and disappointed with the GPS I had moved from he actually begged me to Sue he also said that he was going to look after me last year I moved out of the distance for the surgery so had to change to a new GP my friend and me are working out the bumps but it seems to be getting ok if I'm not listened to or get upset my friend has a word as sometimes I have trouble explaining stuff my friend has already made the pharmacy cry and apologies for being so arrogant with me and it's now on my records that I'm only to see the male gps as I don't have good experience with the female GPS also the asthma nurse is to keep her distance it's on my records I'm allergic to all proventers and all asthma nurses ignore this so rule is ventolin and peak flow is fine otherwise I will self treat via gp

[Jimmy-Lyden]

GP's are for the most part pretty good. I have one at my practice that I just do not get on with, I get the impression she thinks I'm kidding. And the GP my Mum uses is dreadful. He missed my Dads lung cancer last year. He'd lost over 2 stone in 2 years, several persistent chest infections / coughs, twice I sent my Dad back for a second run of antibiotics, as the first hadn't worked and the GP didn't say to return, and he gave him the same antibiotic. It wasn't until he was coughing up blood the GP sent him to hospital.

I'm still very angry.

Yes, most GP's are good, but there are a few who are just coasting.

Change your GP. They aren't listening to anyone.

[Matman]

Think it’s mostly down to the 7 minutes or so they have to talk to each NHS Patient. Impression I have is that reduction in normal traffic due to covid is giving some of them a bit more time to spend on each patient at present.

Sadly, it seems the only way to get a more thorough GP consultation is to buy a private appointment where you tend to get up to 30 Minutes, but that too can back fire if you get the wrong doctor. Of course, you can easily pay £100 or more for a face to face private appointment.

Otherwise it’s down to being a persistent nuisance with your NHS GP.

[MissNyxiie]

It is worth looking arround, you can view the cqc reports online aswell. From what I've been told from out of hours doctors, my surgery is the best in our area. Yet refused to treat my asthma properly for 2 years, which now the hospital is wondering if I have damaged my lungs. I get the same response when I used to go, its all in your head, your peak flow is fine, that is it. Despite the fact it has now reduced the way i live my life, i cant work at the moment, cant tidy or walk the dog and has been like this for best part of a year. But apparently that is fine and no issues with my asthma. You could try writing to the practice manager with your concerns if you dont want to find another gp, the surgery i worked at years ago, if anyone went to her with problems she would shout at people until it was sorted.

[Hidden]

Two weeks ago I had blood tests taken and spoke with the same GP twice prior to this because I had perceived HBP and constant ache in my temples. He could tell I was anxious about all of this as my anxiety levels were up, but I’ve not heard a dicky bird about the results, the short course of pills I was given for the BP are finished and I don’t know if I should get a repeat or not?

Fortunately I use the Patient Access app so I can see blood test results on there, and everything is in normal range, but the GP hasn’t come back to me to confirm or otherwise that I have HBP

[lucie982]

Thought id not make the switch while im unwell but really wish i had! after hospital advised ive had pneumonia and and asthma flare(needing magnesium infusion) i still felt quite unwell and coughing thick green mucus, called gp as advised and spoke to a pharmacist as usual who declared i probably have copd as he didnt think i sound wheezy over the phone. I really dont think it could be made up lol i had to ask him to check my history as to my pneumonia diagnosis so he did prescribe doxycycline but has also prescribed a copd treatment and made an appointment with copd nurse. I was actually tested 3 summers ago after a similar allergy induced asthma problem that came back with 100% normal lung function with slight reversability and a normal xray and ct. So glad the pollen count is dropping so i have the strength to actually speak to them and demand testing or at very least a face to face consultation with an actual DR before any diagnosis is made. I do not cough wheeze or get breathless usually and can go years between asthma problems. Im so sick of the battle with them

[wiserlady]

hi Lucie, I have had similar experiences, it is very depressing when you are struggling so much and worrying and confused and then on top of that you dont feel you get the support, listening, understanding and common sense needed to do their best for you.

a few years ago I was forever getting what seemed to be throat infections and then could not breath and would be rushed to hospital in ambulance. every time they would put me on a nebuliser (no different to mine at home) and antibiotics and steroids and I would be laying around in a bed for a week like this. every time they would then send me home only for it to happen again a few weeks later, and this went on for ayear. i own and run a business, i was losing a lot of money on costs and nothng coming in and going bankrupt if not careful. yet if i mentioned any of this I was treated as ifr money and income should not matter.

i insisted with my doctor that they organise for me to always have antibiotics and steroids here ready so that i dont have to go through the time consuming ridiculous thing of an ambulance taking me a long way away for a week just to get some steroids and antibiotics each time. i find the best way with my doctor is to do loads of research and tell them what i want, rather than let them think about it and decide.