Do I need to be worried?

It is sad to say these days but the majority of Gp's seem to know very little if you have something more than a cold. Even so called specialists can sometimes get it wrong. I have had so many SERIOUS misdiagnosis now that I just don't trust any of these medics .

There's no one who knows your own body as well as you do. I urge everyone to be their own advocate if they have health issues. In today's climate of cuts to services, waiting lists, overworked staff and NICE guidelines, it's impossible to know whether you really are getting the best service and treatments.

I had post-menopausal bleeding, which I knew wasn't right. The first time I went to the doctors she was running late and after I told her why I was there, all she said was come back next week when she would have more time.

I went back several times and saw different doctors each time. Eventually I was told it was vaginal atrophy and was prescribed a hormone pessary to use. The leaflet said to consult your GP first if you have any blood clotting disorders, which I do. The GP didn't know the answer so emailed a consultant at the hospital. At this point I actually told the GP I was worried about having ovarian cancer.

I had to follow this up several times and three months after my first appointment I received a call from the GP saying I had been referred as an urgent two week appointment patient to a clinic at the hospital. The consultant informed the GP that any post-menopausal bleeding should be referred in this way.

I had a scan that day which revealed a 9cm X 6cm malignant tumour. I've learned the hard way never to trust a doctor!

Been there got the T shirt regarding test results from GP, " they're fine", I would like print outs. I have been told I was low risk for certain conditions and no further investigations were needed when they clearly were. Most people know my story now and that I am minus a length of bowel, if I hadn't insisted on investigations it might be a whole different story.
Rustic you can't live with constant pain and abdominal swelling is not normal, do go armed with a list of questions, good luck.

Having seen my GP this morning about something that has been worrying me for a long time but, is thankfully, ok, I came away reassured up to a point but wasn't given anything to help [other than some advice] and a feeling that the doctor had no comprehension of how incredibly worried/scared I was.

See the GP - have all your questions ready - say right from the start that the sonographer had given the impression that it was urgent and you are very concerned. You can of course ask to see the scan report - it is your body! I might suggest bursting into tears - but I think you might do that anyway! - I am sure I would! We are all behind you.

I think I need to be a bit more assertive with my GP....on reflection, I am aware that our 25 year patient/doctor relationship may need to change...I see her a few times a year for repeat prescription...I suffer with BPPV along with a long term back condition....however I manage these conditions with medication so I only see her if I need the occasional sick note for work....I am aware that my consultation is usually very brief more time is spent on her asking me about work and my children and grand kids....she then updates me on her now adult children.
Whilst I appreciate her warm approach, I think we may have become too comfortable with each other Iv realised that I need to be in better control of my health and that I should be more informed and perhaps review my health thoroughly ..oh my, i feel that this situation, and all the reassuring feedback I have had from you all, has given me lots to think about! Thank you!

Great that you have your appointment next week. I hope you get some answers. I know it's very worrying having health problems hanging over you. At least you know it's not gynae related anyway.

What everyone else has said, see your GP.
Write down questions.

And yes.... I always ask for a copy of any report and keep it on file at home.

Also, I never wait and just think.... if there's anything up with my results they'll ring me. I ring my medical practice for test/blood results I ask for the actual results, the numbers, i.e. what is my actual blood sugar, what is my cholesterol level, I never accept 'normal' as an answer.

They probably hate to hear me on the phone.

You poor thing, Rustic. Glad to hear that you have a GP appointment next week. I always go to GP appointments with a list of questions written down and I refer to it whilst I'm there and sometimes write down the answers, too! The doctor never minds, in fact I kid myself he's impressed with my organisation skills even though he probably thinks I'm a silly old woman! I agree it would be a good idea to take someone with you if possible as two heads are better than one when consulting a doctor. Try to stop worrying now as your appointment will soon come round.

Thank you all for your reassuring words....I thought I was going stir crazy unnecessarily...I have a gp appointment next Wednesday and will go armed with a list of questions....is it ok to ask GP to give me a copy of the ultrasound report?....the irony with all this is that I'm usually the one who is confident and assertive yet this has totally thrown me.

Pollyparrot: I had a hysterectomy 22 years ago and my ovaries removed 10 years ago...the sonographer made a reference to this during the scan...he also asked me what ward I was on....! I told him I was an out patient!....I should've asked him if I looked that bad!....I'm slim built but at the moment my tummy looks like I'm about to give birth!

I had a liver scan due to abnormal liver function blood test results. The outcome was that I had a fatty liver, due to diet not alcohol. Apparently this finding is extremely common and lots of us are walking round with fatty livers due to us having larger waists than we should.

This is just one thing that can go wrong with your liver but it's reversible by losing weight. I've lost two stone and I've also lost my fatty liver.

Could it be this that the scan showed up for you?

I do think though, that you need to go back and see the GP. Have you had your ovaries scanned? I'm hoping everything is ok for you and you get sorted out very soon.

Rustic of course you're drained by all this. Please make an appointment to see your GP.

AND check that ALL the results for ALL the tests are back in.

It's not always the case.

About 2 years ago DH had a whole tranch of tests and when he rang up the surgery the receptionist informed him everything was 'normal' . This surprised me and I asked him if he had checked his blood glucose was also normal. Of course he hadn't....he'd just accepted what the receptionist has told him.

After a lot of huffing and puffing, I made him ring again and ask for the actual reading on his blood glucose. Reluctantly the receptionist opened up his file in the computer then assured him that he wasn't down for a blood sugar test. At this point I took over the phone, and DH gave permission for her to speak to me on his behalf.

It then transpired that half the test results the GP had ordered were not there at all and the 'all clear' was based on this. She promised to chase these up and rang next morning to say the GP wanted to see DH ASAP.

I feel totally drained by it all...this morning I burst into tears, I think through frustration...I'm now worried that GP may have mis read my scan...and wonder why the sonographer and scan secretary appeared to deem the results as urgent...I can't get my head round it all?.

It's bad practice and I agree with OP's ?

Welcome to GN.

I would make another appointment to see your GP and tell her how you feel and how worried you are. I know that it is a rarity but mistakes do happen so let your GP sort it out. You should not be the one ringing the hospital to chase results. Good luck and

So sorry that you are in this awful situation Rustic. Not knowing is always the worst, and our imagination can make things seem worse still. Having said that, I think it would be worth going to see your GP anyway, and ask him to interpret the test results for you, especially since you are still in pain so even if these results are right, there is still an unresolved problem.

If I see my doctor when I'm really anxious about something, I find it helpful to write down beforehand the questions I want to ask, otherwise they go out if my head when I get into the consulting room. It might also be useful to take someone with you, for support and also to hear what the doctor says, as it can be easy to miss information in your anxiety, and it's useful to have someone to talk things over with after the appointment. Plus, when you are worried that it might be bad news, you don't want to be dealing with it alone.

Good luck and lots of

You poor thing. What a way to mess you about.

Get in touch with GP and get an immediate appointment. You are still in pain, do though one thing has been ruled out you still need to get a diagnosis.

Make a list of al the questions you need to ask and take it with you.