GP appointment today. I’ve had various neuropathic symptoms for 2 years and after a clear MRI in 2010 I was prescribed gabapentin 900mg which I’ve taken for easily 18 months or more although did drop to 600 for 8 months. Newest symptom of restless legs which is pretty horrible to cope with meant I increased it back to 900mg. Anyway point is, I booked GP app to increase the medication and discuss this new symptom which I’ve been coping with via vast quantities of ralgex ( distracts from the feeling just long enough to get to sleep) only to be told that I need to be weaned of the gabapentin. No acknowledgement that my symptoms are difficult to deal with without it ( pain, tingling etc plus my new restless legs friend !) I felt like I was making it all up. He asked me what I did for a job and when I said prison service proceeded to tell me that prisoners pay high prices for gabapentin? So now not only do I feel like a hypo but I’m trading meds with the prisoners to boot… Very frustrated - anyone got positive stories about GP’s? My last one was very good, changed due to moving house but I’m considering seeing if they will take me back on. Needed to vent !! K
Some GPs have a holy horror of patients getting over fond of drugs that make them feel better. Yours also sound like a cheeky bugger - how would he react if you hinted to him that he might be engaging in unethical activity that would certainly be regarded as gross misconduct and cost him his job? Maybe he didn’t mean what you thought he meant, but still…
Personally, I don’t think there is much you can do with a type like that, so there probably isn’t much point trying. Your idea of finding yourself a nice GP instead sounds like a very good one.
Alison
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My GP is fantastic, I only need to phone the surgery now rather than seeing her and she will amend medications over the phone.When I do g o to see her, she will ask me how I am and just listen to everything I say, am always in their longer than the 10 minutes allocated.
Her colleague however is useless and when I initally went to the doctors with what I now know is permanent nerve damage, she told me to stop wearing underwired bras and I would get feeling back in my arm and hand before long. Needless to say it made no difference whatsoever. I never book an appointment with her now as I don’t trust her!
Hello Kit tie, I can understand and sympathise with you regarding your doctor. I think your best idea is to find a doc’ who will actually listen to what you have to say. Unfortunately there are a lot of doc’s about who think they are above us all. Wish you good luck and hope you feel better very soon.
Janet
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My vote is for a new GP too.
What a cheek!
Karen x
My take on this is simple:
If you trust your GP, stay with them; if you don’t, move to another.
OK, so I trust mine (well, I have stayed with him for about 25 years), partly because he does not claim expertise he has not got. What I think you will find, is that if the senior partner is good, then the others will be as well. The reverse also seems to be true, judging by the experiences of others.
Geoff
My GP is fantastic too. The trust advice above is the best. You have to trust them to actually care about you as an individual. I had a fab GP for 21 years. She retired in July and I couldn’t imagine anyone taking her place but the new GP is just as good, if not better because she’s younger and up-to-date. So - they are out there - go find one! Good luck.
P.S. If the takings in prison are that good why don’t you order some cannabis on prescription too
I’m surprised the GP did not suggest it - he’s the one with the criminal mind!
A
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My GP is fab too, by the way. I’ve had a few over the years as I’ve moved about, including one or two clunkers, but have been with this one all my MS life, and she is wonderful. They do exist - take heart.
Alison
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My GP is amazing. I’m so lucky that she co-incedentally spent some time working in the neuro dept of the local hospital I attend so has a lot of knowledge and experience of MS. She was fantastic when I first presented with eye problems and has been great throughout the diagnostic process.
I really think you need a new GP!
Well I’m very pleased to hear that there are some good GP’s out there. I was starting to lose faith. Thanks for all the comments including the undersides bra story !!! I think that tops my trading drugs … At least it’s only a few GP’s that let the side down X