Jan
30
2007

Give me strength!!!

Ok… picture this.

I go to my GP's surgery today for a repeat prescription of drugs which I take for weight loss. I saw a GP I have seen on one occasion before, but not for a long time. Over the last year I have lost about a stone and a bit, which isn't a massive amount, but I have also lost several inches off my waist etc.

The following conversation ensues.

GP: So, how are you getting on?
Me: OK, although I have been trying to give up smoking so I think I may have put on a bit of weight. I am still swimming and doing Pilates though so I hope to get back on track soon.

*I stand on the scales which show I have put on 2 pounds… as expected*

GP: Oh you have put on weight… you need to stop snacking. Losing a stone in a year isn't very good is it?
Me: *sigh* I know… that's what I have just told you. Anyway, what do you mean losing a stone isn't great? It's better than putting it on, and doesn't losing 4 inches around my waist count for anything.

Then I ask the GP about a painful thumb and shoulder.
GP: Have you had a fall or anything?
Me: No, but I am hyper-mobile so I just wanted to check whether it could be anything else.
GP: Well, everyone has stiff joints so you can expect some problems.
Me: er…. I have just told you that I am hyper-mobile so I *don't* have stiff joints which is why I wanted to get it checked out because it is unusual for me.
GP: Well everyone has stiff joints so just take some ibuprofen and do some exercise.
Me: What sort of exercise do you suggest?
GP: What about swimming and something like yoga?
Me: So, swimming 4 times a week and doing Pilates weekly isn't enough?
GP: Oh
Me: Yes, I mentioned it at the start of my consultation.

Do you ever get the feeling that you are talking to someone who hasn't listened to a word you have said? I came out of the surgery absolutely fuming. Not because he hadn't read my notes or gave me bad advice, but because he did not listen to anything I said and was clearly disinterested.

I won't be seeing that GP again unless my leg has dropped off and I am at imminent risk of gangrene or something else life threatening.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |

7 Comments »

  • Gah, don’t talk to me about doctors. Losing a stone in a year is really good, slow and steady is far better than crash dieting, also means you are more likely to keep it off, and shrinking like you have means you’ve replaced fat with muscle.
    At first my GP wouldn’t update my records with my new weight (about 4 stone less than when I registered, and not lost through following his stupid diet, either), and kept lecturing me about losing weight, until I demanded he updated my records.

    Comment | January 30, 2007
  • Tired&Emotional

    How about a doctor who’d written out your prescription before you’d said anything? We used to have one like that when I was growing up.

    Congrats on losing a the weight though.

    Comment | January 30, 2007
  • www.persephonehazard.co.uk

    Oh good Lord. But I sympathise totally-mine’s crap too.

    Oh, what an idiot!

    Comment | January 31, 2007
  • dreamer

    yup, well done on the stone. And the swimming. And the Pilates. and and and. Your and inspiration to me.
    (Not that I have yet to achieve either)

    Comment | January 31, 2007
  • i wrote my GP complaint entry today before i read yours. much sympathy!

    Comment | January 31, 2007
  • ee

    Aha! Nessa and I came up with a scheme long ago that bypassed the need for GPs. It’s called Google Diagnosis (they should have it when you click ‘more’ for the other options like maps and things). Anyway how it works is this:
    1. You type your symptoms into Google.
    2. You click on the ‘I feel lucky’ button.
    3. You are taken to a site about the medical condition which features your symptoms. You are now Diagnosed.
    4. Your details are automatically sent to your pharmacist, with the subject line ‘Gis the drugs’.
    5. Pharmacist has your details and delivers the medicine.
    6. You have your drugs five minutes after diagnosing the problem.
    7. The taxpayer is saved £15billion a year, and the average Joe is spared the agony of wasted GP visits.

    Do you want to be partners with us?

    Comment | February 1, 2007
  • Auntie Doris

    Oh yeah.

    Just call me Dr Doris.

    Comment | February 1, 2007

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