Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group GP's bother me

I have to jump in here and say that my GP has been a life saver. I've seen three rheumys and the last one wasn't too bad but he was a long way away and difficult to see regularly. My GP has worked WITH me through this whole process, accepting my views on what to prescribe and how I want to work with my body. He doesn't try and push meds and is always interested in my latest research, sometimes taking photocopies of material I bring in.

So, at the moment, I would be in a much worse state without my GP. I also like the fact that, by sticking to one, he knows me by name and what my history is without having to read my whole file. He just needs a reminder of where things are at right now (because he's so busy). I think changing docs every time I needed help would be a real burden because I'd have to fill them in everytime and get each one on board with the diagnosis.

Yes Im with you Wendy I have a great team of Doctors and have no complaints about them.
Although I must say I have had some dipsticks in the past.Not all Doctors are bad and you cant get a diet to stop your heart attack or liver falier or stroke we all need them.


Kevin

i fired my last GP on Wednesday - ive switched to the youngest newest GP in town with the least amount of clients. Signed the papers to allow all my documents to be handed over to his practice.
I simply told new GP my last GP has grown old & gone stale. I told new GP i need a fresh proactive team player GP with effective communication skills & a high interest in providing quality services to his clients. I expressed by concerns regarding my belief that GP's inherently over use drug therapy & i expect to be prescribes drugs as a last resort no the first.

He laughed and laughed at my comments and nearly fell off his chair.

I will monitor his abilities and my blood - to decide for myself if he is to be a good GP. If he fails me even 1% his fired within 12 months.

Wonderful chuckle Darryn. At least you've found one with a sense of humour - sheesh, he 'might' even be a good'un! Oh, and how I sooooo agree with you. First reach for the script? No way!

Await your monitored input...

Take care - heigh, did you find the dwarf fruit trees?

Molly C (France)
Keeping on Keeping on (struggle, but 'can' 'will' do...so there! HaHa)

Drug companies and lots of doctors sell drugs. It is simply a fact of life. I can't support denying anyone the right to make profits in whatever business they choose. There will always be a market for pharmaceuticals. I do not choose to be part of it and cannot understand the mindset of patients who feel they are victims of their doctors decisions, total dependents. We all have brains, right? Either our doctors are paid by insurance for our visits or we pay them directly, so, they are working for us. Patients really need to take some personal responsibility and ask their doctors direct questions and tell them what they are willing to try, what their boundaries are.

Sorry for the rant...this touches a nerve since I have seen family members follow some unecessarily risky doctor's orders and would walk the plank or jump off a bridge if that is what the doctor ordered, as if their brains fell out of their heads upon entering the office.

Optimist, right on. A good honest penny is a good honest penny. What one objects to is just as you point out 'sheep' attitude of most patients. And those, that IF their GP don't 'go along' with a discussion etc etc they wilt under 'the all-powerful' gaze...haha. Bah!

Yes, have seen family members and friends unquestionally take to the meds, compliant to every order of their medic. Not me, chum. I pay em, quote: " Patients really need to take some personal responsibility and ask their doctors direct questions and tell them what they are willing to try, what their boundaries are." With you 100%.

Whew, Molly I am relieved you understand where I am coming from with that. Would you believe that some of my family members have had unecessary *surgeries* because their doctors told them? I mean really. Just like sheep. i had a gp actually roll her eyes when i told her I wasn't taking any rxs without researching them and all my options first. That was the last time she saw me

Understand? You bet hon. An acquaintance of mine, had a FULL hysterectomy, because? A small cyst on her ovary had her frighted by her gynae to go have *everything* out - ***privately! Into HIS pocket. Now she has problems...of course...with early menopause and all the rest. Only a few months ago as well. Turns out hysterectomy was *unecessary, only needed a small cyst on one ovary removed! Wish I'd have known beforehand. She says that 'she' wishes she had known more, but, she 'trusted her gynae'.

Heard it all too often. A friend of mine had appalling surgery, a real botched job as the surgeon was showing off an op 'he' had perfected! He had NOT investigated sufficiently pre-op and now that woman is in a total mess. Not only, but also, he persuaded another surgeon to 'go in' and try to rectify 'his' clobbered 'masterpeice'. Surgeon opened up, saw the mess, then closed. Refused to have owt to do with it. (Gotta 'smile'.)

Friend went for a second opinion - second opinion at a private consultation commiserated and called her back for an NHS session. Then washed his hand of the affair...right stange bloke. Closing ranks syndrome. Was 'frightened. Bah to him. Have NO respect for him and, now, woudln't touch him with a barge pole. (The sort who 'strokes' his colleagues, watched him in action - sickening. Was set myself to see him, but events intervened, and was forced to cancel. Saved by the bell as my family and friends opine!)

Happy to report that she is suing, and surgeon has 'admitted liability'. Woo-Hoo. But, Gggggrrrrrrrr, that scenario makes me soooo angry for her. She's had a rough time and all due to totally inept doctors. (She has more as well, and all a horrific scenario, of being let down right left and centre, even by her own GP). She's got em nailed now though, but she is left to cope with the results of the total ineptitude, and frankly, medical criminality, of others.

History goes on. Two friends left with appalling 'gait' after hip replacements - recent ops. One has the operated leg 1.5" *longer (unusual that, dunno 'how' he managed it!) The other has 1" shorter on operated leg. Sheesh. Hop-along-Cassidies both!

Then my cousin has just had a terrific and excellent hip surgery. No problems. Good surgeon and good team. Excellence is out there, but...

I'd be terrified to have owt done over here. Don't trust em. Medical scene here NOT all it is cracked/cranked up to be. Sigh. And quite a bit of the ole MRSA and C-Diff - lady across the road to me not long back after heart valve surgery. Contracted MRSA in a leading hospital over here. Ho-Hum. Yea, they got her through it. T.G.

Just seen a opthomologist consultant. Ancient equipment. Nothing like to what my optomertrist in the UK has! In fact, I'd say about on a level with your high street SpecSavers set up - and even then, not as good as some SpecSavers (according to my good neighbours here.)

Sheesh, such a darn luck of the draw. Another almighty SIGH <LOL> ('Cept, <NLM>) Another book...

Hey Darryn!
You have me in stitches! lol
I love my GP - I tell him what to do and he does it!
If he tells me what to do and I don't like it - I tell him so and he comes up with another idea!
He's most amenable.. I mean amiable!!!!

Optimist
Like what you said and how you said it, girl!

Well done, Darryn! Gave me a bit of a chuckle, too. The new GP seems to be on board, I hope.

Hugs,