Saw the GP and felt fobbed off

JasonRA

Hello, I haven't posted in a while as I needed a break.

Background:

I take days to prepare myself mentally and physically to walk to the train station from where I live, today I walked to the train station to get to a surgery in the Falmouth area (I won't be specific), it was 25 degrees down here so I was sweating profusely which I'm very aware of.

I got to the area where the surgery was situated spoke to a GP who asked if a junior GP could sit in to "learn" ect and I can't say "no" as I'm scared to offend. I have a massive neck issue which is effecting the left side of my body, a neuralgic pain and she just ignored the fact I needed co-codemol, she said "Well you're on the physio list" and that was that.

Then on to the mental health, I told her that for the first time in 13 years I made it to Truro Train Station (That's how long my hermitude/loner life has gone on) and I told her that the 200mgs of sertraline wasn't working, that I'm self harming and go into violent rages and I felt like I was fobbed off, sertraline isn't working yet they want me to keep taking it with a lower dosage, she said that I "looked better", I can barely sit down without pain but some hair gel and a beard makes me "look better", self harming with sharp objects but I "look better" my GP talked with the junior GP and she concurred.

I spent all the time and effort to go there for absolutely nothing, I usually have a good rapport with my GP. I got the train back covered in sweat on the edge of tears, got home cried then tearfully ate a cottage pie with carrot cake for afters (so there's some positives).

I have another appointment with her on September 2nd, I don't want to go there again but I'm scared to say "no", my mother will talk to the surgery on Monday and possibly request a new GP.

Sorry for the length of this, it's a one off getting things off of my chest kind of thing. I hope you're all well and having a great Friday evening.

Bluebell21

Hi @JasonRA I am sorry you have had such a challenging day. Having made a lot of effort to get to the surgery to see your GP and then being "fobbed off" must have been very distressing for you.

The heat does not help either.

Hopefully your mother will be able to get an appointment on the 2 September with a different doctor for you.

Take care.

PracticeWotUPreach

@JasonRA
Thank you for sharing this. I’m really glad you felt able to get it off your chest here. It sounds like you made an enormous effort just to get to the surgery, and it’s completely understandable to feel frustrated and let down when your pain and mental health concerns weren’t taken seriously.

It’s okay to want a GP who listens and supports you properly. You don’t have to say “yes” to anything that makes you uncomfortable, and it’s completely reasonable for your mother to help request a new GP if that feels like the right step.

It also sounds like you found a small positive in your day with your cottage pie and carrot cake—those little wins count and matter. Be kind to yourself for even making it out there and for expressing how you feel.

I hope your next appointment is easier, and that you can get the support you need. Sending lots of encouragement and understanding your way.