Why are doctors so unhelpful?!!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi everyone 

I managed to register with a doctor this morning, and was given an instant appointment for this afternoon at which I was very surprised, because it took at least two weeks to see my old doctor.

I moved into town just over three months ago to try and change things because my depression was so bad, and considering that I am diagnosed as having fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, gall stones, tinnitus, depression and anxiety it took a lot of courage to do. It has taken me this long to go and register with the doctor, and is mostly because I had such terrible hip pains yesterday that I was in tears with it all. 

So anyway, I made it through the rain to the bus to get to my appointment, and actually felt quite positive about going, as I was diagnosed last December and have received absolutely no help or support with anything, and wanted to talk to the doctor about possible treatments. After introducing myself to the doctor, you know what the very first thing he said to me was? "I don't believe in fibromyalgia." 

I couldn't believe it! Does he think I diagnosed myself? Does he think I enjoy going to the doctors? I really don't know. The receptionist was more helpful than him! It just leaves me speechless, because even just on a human level, I'm going there for some help, and even if he doesn't "believe in fibromyalgia" he should still be trying to help me!

thank you for listening and I hope you all enjoy your day

Boqer

2

You need to see a rheumatologist not some stupid doctor

I wasted two years seeing stupid doctors and 4 neurologists until I finally saw a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me right away. You need to insist you would like to see a Rheumatologist Good luck

3

Yeah I know right. I have stomach problems and every time I go there they just tell me to take medicine. Like seriously lol they could at least test us for things.

4

Hi pollmadoll I get from the post that boqer has been diagnosed with fibro but the way she was treated with a gp has upset her and rightly so as not 1 off us asked 2 have this horrid condition

boqer see if you can report this gp as even as you say he doesn't believe in fibro (many unfortunately dont) that gives him no right to lower his duty of care towards you

gentle hugs boqer and dont allow these small minded people to bring you down any further.

🌹🌼🌻 a small bunch of flowers 2 pick u up

5

Perhaps him not believing in it might be a blessing in disguise, perhaps he will continue to investigate what other options there might be??

I'd go back and see him and ask him to then tell you if it's not fibro then what is it. Ask for things that haven't been checked to be investigated, lymes, thyroid, hormones, osteoarthritis etc etc...

As much as I believe you, everyone on here and myself is in daily pain which is relentless I feel the dr might have a point, I think fibro is a symptom of an illness not a condition on its own, it's just if they can't give you answers they use their trump card.....its fibro, nothing we can do sorry, every symptom from that point forward is fibro and not anything else.

Perhaps his point of view might actually reveal more answers or get you on a good treatment.

I just hope he wasn't rude about it and didn't make you feel like your pain isn't real as that is when Drs really fail at their jobs.

6

Honestly change ur Dr. When ur at ur lowest point having him deal with u with that attitude will be the last thing u need. Done it..got the T-shirt. Find another Dr in ur ok moments so that when u need one uve already set up uve products support.

U should ask this tw*t to come and do a speech for the Fibromyalgia UK support group to share his wisdom with us all so we all realise we are just imagining all this.

Laugh at the poor man for being so closed minded and don't bother with him. We all know we have to use our energy wisely. Don't waste any on humans like that.

Hi I'm Zoe by the way. I'm 40 yrs old diagnosed at 27 yrs old.

Hope this helped in some way. Lol 😄

7

Thank you pollmadoll, I will ask for one and see what comes of it

8

I agree, he still has a care of duty, it just seems he doesn't think so.

thank you for the flowers, made me smile ☺️

9

Thank thank you Katie, I think they don't do very much at all

10

well that's what I thought, so I started to talk to him about my hip and bones and pain killers, but he really wasn't interested and made it plainly obvious that he didn't really want to hear any more so I have another appointment with a different doctor tomorrow, but who knows how it will go

11

So sorry to hear about this uneducated GP. Better luck with the next one. Gentle hugs honey. x

12

Thanks hun, hugs to you too

13

I would say to him and then ask him.., 'well if you don't believe in Fibro, then your not keeping up with the number of actual Medical Researches and their proven Research on the Condition.  So if you don't believe in it, then what is you answer to those round the world diagnosed with it?   If you don't believe in Fibro, and you don't believe I have it, even though I have been diagnosed with it,  WHAT then would your diagnostic be?  If you can't diagnose me and actually help me, then please REFER me to a Rheumy Specialist with knowledge of Fibromyalgia.

IF YOU can't do either, then I have to pull into question you Medical ethics and Report you.   I might be slow but I'm not dam stupid.'

That's what I'd say....  I've basically been putting out the very same message of recent times.  But then I did get a good Specialist doctor fully knowledgible in Fibro.  I had to push for the appointment and threatened I would need a formal written letter outlining why the doctor refuses to take me on for a 2nd Opinion.  And forward it to the Health and Disability Commission.  Because no-one should be refused a 2nd opinion, that's the word of the Health and Disability Commission.  Everyone is entitled to a 2nd opinion.  A third if necessary and so on.   

To many Doctors are under the thumbs of the Government Services and they are 'Gatekeeping'....   they are told to.  Also doctors don't like to be pulled up for making certain diagnostics.  

Here in NZ in the South Island I found out that there is a Hospital Board that will not accept referrals from GP's for folk with Fibro,CFS etc to attend the Hospital Rheumy specialists!!!!    Considering folk sometimes need real help, considering Rheumy's should be folllowing up on folk with these conditions 'to learn' from their patients...For goodness sake!!   That's what supports Research....  BUT NO, it's the almighty $$$$'s that speak.   Most of us are so drained financially not being able to work and not able to afford to go PRIVATELY.....  So does anyone care...NO....  NOT till it hits them HARD, and then they stand to lose family, friends, and their personal funds over time...their self esteme, confidence, till the last thing 'hope'...Hope to be understood, hope to have that little extra assistance where most needed.  Lets face it, we do resemble 80 - 90+ year olds that are not as fit and able anymore and who are more mentally and physically challenged. That is US, some from very tender young ages, onwards....

These non-believer doctors need to get their heads out of their asses.  Read the Reseach, which by in large IS WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO!!   

Nurses and other practitioners have to upskill and do courses at their own expense of so many hundred hours/year.  DOCTORS should be to.  Instead of relying of basic training methodologies, from when they trained.  They need to be upskilling all the time.  They dam well get paid enough..

14

Hi Deb,

well said, very well said! That would have been a very good answer. I'm supposed to be going to see a different doctor today, and if she isn't helpful I will tell her I want a referral to both a rheumatologist and for a bone density scan and see what happens.

 

15

Hi Zoe,

thanks for your reply, I think that's really why I didn't say very much to him, I just don't have much fight any more, the receptionist was more helpful than the doctor and she booked me in to go today with a different doctor, so I will see how that goes.

I'm 45 by the way, I was diagnosed a year ago, but have had fibro for some years now, and yes, thanks, your reply helped. I've never had any support or treatment for fibro (or anything else) and wondered what a rheumatologist would do?

16

Wishing you all the very Best Boqer... so hope you get your Referrals!!  TAKE CARE...   All the best for the season...  

17

Sorry to hear that, Drs can't make statements and not follow up with other possible diagnosis. what about a referral to an orthopaedic dr for your hips?

I always think if it was happening to the Drs wife/husband or son/daughter they would pull out all the stops to find out what was wrong with them as they would know that on a personal level they used to be a certain way, the fact that they don't know us they think we are just naturally whingey over sensitive people.

Good luck

18

Yes, I agree, I think that is totally right and how I often feel when I go to see a doctor. If they knew us then things would be different and they would take us seriously, because in 20 years I didn't go once to the doctors, it's only in the past few years when things have been so bad that I have needed to go

19

Yes Charlotte; I too am beginning to feel this way............for me there are too many "overlapping" symptoms of other conditions, and do think that if this doctor would start looking for other answers (including taking a complete medical and life/career/family history etc) we might all find what the connection is???   I know it sounds daunting, and we all feel we have been there before, and Just can't face anymore testing etc, but there are days when I start doing more research as "some things just don't feel right", and am getting a big fed up with "treating each symptom/s" instead of finding a cure................good luck Boqer

20

Thank you Bronwyn, hope you have a good day