View Full Version : Should I change doctor?
I've just been to see the doctor. Not my usual doctor but to be honest I never get to see the same one often. I've seen this woman a few times before and thought she'd be sympathetic. The last time I went I saw another doc who I told about my HA.
This doc that I saw today wasn't sympathetic at all. I was going about a mole on my leg that has bled. Now I know I'm a complete panicker about moles as I have so many and have had some removed in the past. I was seen in the derm clinic about other moles recently, but not this one on my leg. The reason I went to the docs is because it sort of oozed and then bled slightly, which is exactly what the specialist told me to look out for.
I like to think that even a person without HA would get a mole like this checked.
ANYWAY... This doc looked at it, said it looks like a hair follicle is inflamed within the mole and that was that. She said just keep an eye on it. I felt like screaming THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING!! Of course I didn't though.
She then went on to tell me exactly how many times I visited the docs last year... 100 and something. I know that may seem excessive but I was actually diagnosed with 4 different health conditions last year that did need treatment and are ongoing. I think the fact that it took so long for them to diagnose certain things (years in some cases) has fuelled my HA. It may even be the root of the problem. I've never been anxious about my health before the past year. Even when I did have moles removed, my appendix ruptured nearly killing me and various other problems, I never worried. Only know, after misdiagnosis for a long time have I become worried about my health.
My thoughts are... This doctor only wanted to concentrate on telling me to 'sort myself out' and be happy. I do appreciate that but when I present with an actual health concern, I now feel it's shadowed by my admittance of HA. I feel like I want to change doctors, get a fresh start. I've never had much luck with my various doctors at this practice... A family member has a serious chronic illness and they do very little to help. I feel like I'm down as a hyperchondriac and that's that. Has anyone had any experience switching gps? I know it's sometimes a case of better the devil you know, but I really feel I'm lacking support in every way.
Sorry for the long long ramble, it just helps to get my thoughts out when I've no one else to speak to. Any advice would be so appreciated :)
That's entirely up to you, if you're not satisfied then it's your right to switch GP's. However, do remember your notes will be transfered along with you, so you may not get the "fresh start" you're looking for. 100 and odd visits does seem excessive, that's twice a week on average.
I would speak to your GP on your next visit and explain that you feel let down and perhaps if they could give you a bit better care it would result in your overall health anxiety being lowered. In your situation, a sympathetic doctor is a good thing, but it can also work against you by them making the error of feeding your anxiety. It's a tough call I'm afraid.
Hi there,
If you feel that you're not being treated fairly or your concerns are being dismissed because of your HA, then it would be a good idea to change. However, while I wasn't there, it sounds like she checked it out and then wanted to address your anxiety and whether or not it's being treated.
I went through 5 or 6 doctors before I found my current gp, who is very sympathetic and supportive. The reason I left the others was that they blatantly did not understand anxiety fully, pushed me into using medication etc. However, I can't say I've been 100+ times and I think that would concern any physician, nor do I see my gp very often.
I don't mean that as a criticism- just something to keep in mind. But, if you have an issue with how she conducts herself or your treatment then perhaps a change is in order. All the best :)
I had to switch GPs recently because my GP retired. I didn't particularly like the Dr who took over his practice so I went to another doctor I had been told was good. I told him about my HA and he managed to make me more anxious than I was before I started seeing him. So after two visits I ended up going back to the new doctor at my former doctor's practice. I'm still not satisfied and I think I'm only going there because she told me that my old doctor is probably going to come back a couple of days a week in a few months time.I hesitate to say this and I'm reaching out one hand to touch my wooden coffee table as I do: I've actually started feeling less anxious in the last few weeks than I have felt for the last two years. I'm starting to think that my old doctor was too accommodating of my HA and it kind of fed it. He was coming from a good place though. Time will tell. I think you should trust the doctor's opinion about the mole.
Thanks all for your replies. I understand the sound of 100 doc visits in a year might sound a lot (it is!) but it took going from around February last year til September to get a diagnosis of one particular medical problem. I was quite ill out of the blue and no one could tell me why. I now don't go and see them about this as I am under a specialist. I feel that if I hadn't been told 'it's all in my head' by one doctor (which did actually happen believe it or not) then my condition would've been investigated and treated more quickly. Of course, some of the visits were to talk about my anxiety that I did feel was creeping up on me. I suppose it's just the general way I feel I'm being treated. The one doctor that I feel gives me sympathy and spends a long time thinking over what would help me best, is only there once a week and it's near impossible to get to see her. I completely understand that doctors can feed anxiety by sending for tests etc etc. I feel like I'm not getting the understanding and support that I need for both my mental and physical health. I've found a doc surgery not too far away and I'm going for a chat with the practice nurse soon. They have their own on site counselling too which I find amazing for an nhs practice!
I know that it's not a completely clean slate cos they will get my notes. Which is goon in a way because a lot of my medical history is complex! But I'd quite like to speak to a doc as a new patient, not feeling as though they think I'm wasting their time.
Who knows, I might find a better doc or I might not but I think for my own sanity I should try :doh::blush:
Even with a real medical issue, 100+ times in a year is beyond excessive. I did a mental count of the times I saw ALL my doctors (cardiologist, GP, oncology team) during the year I had my 2nd heart attack and cancer and it came to less than 50 total visits between 6 doctors. Perhaps finding a doctor for your mental health would be the next practical step here.
Positive thoughts
But you don't have HA do you Fish? I am guilty of visiting the doctor way more times than the average person even when I was under the psych. It became a habit I think.
But you don't have HA do you Fish? I am guilty of visiting the doctor way more times than the average person even when I was under the psych. It became a habit I think.
Nope... not even a blip on the HA scale.... Heck, I Google recipes and how tall is Sofia Vergara as opposed to symptoms ~lol~
The point being, many complain about the stigma and bias they feel at their GP but they're the very ones that are creating it. When you have a real physical illness, you treat it. Having a real mental illness calls for the same attention. The point is to stop chasing a diagnosis and treat the real illness.
Something to lighten the mood...
http://www.buzzfeed.com/natashaumer/dont-drink-the-kool-aid-if-you-are-a-baby
Positive thoughts
Oh and read this... especially #7 http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=159331
OP, you might want to look up ratings/reviews online if you end up looking for a new GP. I saw mine because she had a good reputation and was the best-rated in my area. Obviously that can be easily faked but if you've nothing to go off it's not a bad idea, rather than just going from one doctor to another with little indication as to how their manner is, etc.
It worked out well for me; just an idea :)
Fishmanpa, of course I'm treating my mental health. That is exactly one of the reasons I'm looking to change doctor, because they aren't giving me much help on that side of things. I know it's hard for a gp to deal with Health Anxiety but dealing with someone with multiple chronic conditions AND HA must be different? As one doctor said to me, 'it's clear that you're so worried about your health because things have gone wrong so often in the past' so it's not as if I've always been running in with a new far fetched ailment every week. The things I worry about all seem to link to what I already have.
I know trusting the doctor is the first step for anyone with HA but that's not so easy when you've been let down in the past.
Emilym80, I agree, I've found a practice with great reviews, not only about the medical treatment but also the care aspect. Thanks :)
---------- Post added at 15:27 ---------- Previous post was at 15:25 ----------
Oh also, just read point number 7 on that other post... That is exactly the type of outcome I would love from finding a new gp. The thought of not having a reason to see a doctor is pure bliss!!
So many of us anxious people go to our doctors frequently with a list as long as your arm and as in my particular case my doctor who is the senior partner in the Practice didn't do an ECG when I presented my acid indigestion and arm ache feeling, she left it till the next day, which confirmed I was having a heart attack.
I got lucky, I could have died but the majority of doctors don't understand mental health problems but more to the point they don't have the time.
So many of us have mutiple health problems as well as being extremely anxious, so how can you go through everything thoroughly in 10 minutes.
Since my recovery every doctor in the Practice says hello to me now, when before they completely ignored me.
Changing doctors can work in different ways. I have often asked (what I call the second doctor I see) the same question as I have asked my doctor and got a completely different answer as to how to use a certain medication and that confuses me even more and makes me more anxious.
We never win, the system doesn't allow it and in london we have far too few GP's for an expanding population.
We have one patient here in my surgery who doesn't speak a word of English and needs an interpreter every time they make an appointment with the doctor which costs more time and money.
Mr Cameron's idea of practices being open 7 days a week from 8 until 8 will never work as we don't have the doctors.
I honestly think as good as the NHS can be, the GP's are nearing crisis point and where is the solution.
Possibly charge a small fee for an appointment might help and detract those who don't really need to go but just seek to be assured (like us anxiety people :))or add it on to NI contribution.
Sorry gone off subject but it's a major problem.
I completely agree, I have noticed the change at my practice in the past few years. I wasn't sure at first whether it was because of my visits or because they're being pressured from above to see patients quickly. I think I combo of the two. I have made a decision today to have my worrisome moles removed privately to put this particular anxiety to bed. I know it might come back with some other worry but I'm seeking help from my new gp hopefully and cbt. I think placing all faith completely in a gp you don't trust is too hard and only worsens your state of mind. I try to reassure myself that I had problems with this doctors surgery well before my HA kicked in, so a change of gp will hopefully be a good step in the right direction for treating my anxiety. I think the feeling of being proactive can calm a worried mind. Thanks for you input, could ramble on about this topic all day!
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