My GP Surgery refuses to see that I am Disabled.

Julian

Hello everyone, I have been totally blown away in shock and have been made to feel like a freeloading fraud by my GP surgery today. I have been under this surgery for nearly 30 years. I am 54 and have been in poor health for over 15 years.
Earlier in 2004 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and was medically discharged from my job at Royal Mail. Later that year in June I became a type 1 diabetic finding out with being very ill. I have degenerative arthritis in my knees among other areas. I suffer depression which started with a mental breakdown in the late 90's. I have complications with chronic pain stress and high BP when I have tried to hold down or work.I was moved from esa work related group and put into esa support group. My GP refuses to recognise me as being Disabled (having a disability) and say I'm not classed as disabled and will only recognise me as having several ailments. Surely Type 1 diabetes,fibromyalgia(Tramadol prescribed) fatigue arthritis Depression diverticulitis is a Disability. Or am I over reacting. I would love your honest thoughts please.??

ellerdene

Hi just read your post i think its pretty unfair that your GP fails to recognise you have any disability, you clearly have numerous health conditions such as being Diabetic which is certainly serious  and can cause many problems.
Fibromyalgia is a grey area because sadly although its a very serious illness it is not always recognised as genuine by alot of GPs and they dismiss the symptoms altogether.
If your not happy with your GPs care you can always get a second opinion you can asked to see another Dr at the practise or you can go and register with a different surgery ! Im not an expert but worked many yrs as a Carer and as you say you have been moved to another support group re ESA so your Assessor must have thought you were disabled to some degree .
Dont give up and let your GP thob you off you didnt ask to be ill and shouldnt be made to feel like you do.

Geoark

Hi @Julian

As your ‘various ailments’ are having an impact on your daily life, proved by your transition from ESA WRAG to ESA Support, then yes you have disabilities.

There are some conditions where I would be reluctant to automatically prescribe as a disability, type 1 diabetes being one of these. If controlled by injections, diet and exercise and has little affect on your life in general then I would say this is a medical condition rather than disability. As mentioned it can lead to secondary conditions which certainly can be a disability.

sam12

Change ur dr

thespiceman

Hello @Julian Pleased to meet you. Wow nothing is simple is it. You expect your Doctor to support, help and advise.

Understand my story is very similar to yourself. In the sense have worked became ill in having an addiction plus mental health issues.  Plus born with a genetic condition.

So used to get a lot of fobbed off. Told to leave, or ejected from waiting rooms. Usually by elderly Doctors who never really understood me. Mental health or other assorted issues I had.

Know now related to mental health and addiction. I am the Doctor you know nothing. So found a advocate. Through a mental health charity. Used that to argue my case. Should have seen the look on his face. Did not like it at all.

Got what I need and left eventually the area. Until to this area am now.  Had a Doctor talk to me like I was ten years and childish in manner and attitude. By time had spoken what I need out the door. Even wrote it down .

Back home suffering with mental health anxieties due to alcohol withdrawal. Need some support here. So contacted Rethink an Mental health charity for an advocate .Once again all changed when the Doctor sudden realised was serious.

Used them every time. They speak for you what you want to say. After a meeting prior to any appointment you may have.

I understand the need for proper and sensible dialogue with your Doctor. Yet if he does not recognise the issues and problems you have. I would also consider l have said an advocate.

Also find another surgery if that helps.

All I can add further you are not alone and hope you can get this resolved soon.

My own Doctor have no need for advocate now helps and assists me with anything I can suggest. I also try and help myself much as I can. Often consult her on information, advice I found on alternatives for my mental health and other things I have.

Looking at well being, diet, lifestyle. It helps to be educated and try to learn about your conditions and illness.

Then I know going right direction and tell her that if I need and want anything.  After all you are in my opinion a contract with your Doctor. All helps them if you help yourself and they can see that. They then can be more forthcoming to assist .

Hope that helps.

Take care

@thespiceman

Julian

Thanks Spiderman, I can relate to the mental health side. I also was a former gambling addict that ruined parts of my earlier years. I managed to cut all that right out of my life in 1994 thank goodness. Hang in there with the alcohol issue. Kind regards. Ju?

Julian

Spiceman sorry it's the predictive text. Spiderman my *** ???

Julian

Geoark said:

Hi @Julian

As your ‘various ailments’ are having an impact on your daily life, proved by your transition from ESA WRAG to ESA Support, then yes you have disabilities.

There are some conditions where I would be reluctant to automatically prescribe as a disability, type 1 diabetes being one of these. If controlled by injections, diet and exercise and has little affect on your life in general then I would say this is a medical condition rather than disability. As mentioned it can lead to secondary conditions which certainly can be a disability.

Julian

Believe me my type 1 Diabetes has had an impact on my health. High blood pressure among many other daily issues. It's a life sentence.
That's not even going into the extreme fatigue and pain I suffer. I rely on tramadol and can't cope without it even though I am very careful with its use. Im actually made to feel guilty if I'm having a good day because it messes with my head....frustrating.

Julian

ellerdene said:

Hi just read your post i think its pretty unfair that your GP fails to recognise you have any disability, you clearly have numerous health conditions such as being Diabetic which is certainly serious  and can cause many problems.
Fibromyalgia is a grey area because sadly although its a very serious illness it is not always recognised as genuine by alot of GPs and they dismiss the symptoms altogether.
If your not happy with your GPs care you can always get a second opinion you can asked to see another Dr at the practise or you can go and register with a different surgery ! Im not an expert but worked many yrs as a Carer and as you say you have been moved to another support group re ESA so your Assessor must have thought you were disabled to some degree .
Dont give up and let your GP thob you off you didnt ask to be ill and shouldnt be made to feel like you do.

Cat39

I've had a somewhat similar issue, my GP refused to listen to me or even get my doctors notes. I have multiple conditions most from birth but my new doctors refused to help and went as far and to tell me not to come back with my conditions again. I had to go multiple times and badger them before I got any help from them. It took months to get anywhere and I had to have my partner yell at them to help me.
Luckily after all that I'm now under 4 different specialists, at 3 different hospitals.

I'd suggest to keep going, call, get family to call, take doctors letters, file complaints etc. If you still got nowhere then change doctors, but that should do something, especially if you file a complaint. 

thespiceman

Hello @Julian Thanks OK.  No problem getting my name mixed up.  Have and was called the specimen one time.  By some one. Which chuckled me and lot of the people I know on the forum.

Spiderman well have been known to be a super hero to some on this forum. So I have been told. lol

All I can add thank you for support. Since been clean eleven years. All I can say here as a brother no matter what the addiction is we need to support each other. Help and advice and most of importantly following some one.

I know people had have all sorts of addictions mainly the big three I call them. Alcohol, drugs, and gambling.  Always meeting those like myself or just starting out.

So small steps all the time.  Am here to listen and be supportive.

All I can add hope you find some one to assist you . Like I said something to consider an advocate. What ever you do you are a valuable member of this community.

Take care

@thespiceman

Julian

Thanks for the post.
I realise FM is a grey area however if my GP is prescribing me Tramadol for the pain the last few years, the condition gets brushed under the carpet. When I have appointment at the GP I feel I'm dealing with a stranger because my GP is never there for consultation. Only time he shown an interest was when I was working at M&S when I was on duty twice he approached me and started asking questions about how I was coping. As if I could discuss it while I was running a food checkout at the time. I was so desperately struggling to cope and eventually said no to an extended period after my contract had expired. Nothing was offered to suit my criteria as a permanent position because of my needs. Remploy washed their hands of me and told me to be careful what I say because they have a relationship with M&S. They put their needs before mine. I was a wreck without support. I only thank my lucky stars I eventually stumbled across a sympathetic listener in an ESA MEDICAL review who was appalled by how I had been treated previously.....
I could go on...
Thanks for the post and support.?

Julian

Cat39 said:

I've had a somewhat similar issue, my GP refused to listen to me or even get my doctors notes. I have multiple conditions most from birth but my new doctors refused to help and went as far and to tell me not to come back with my conditions again. I had to go multiple times and badger them before I got any help from them. It took months to get anywhere and I had to have my partner yell at them to help me.
Luckily after all that I'm now under 4 different specialists, at 3 different hospitals.

I'd suggest to keep going, call, get family to call, take doctors letters, file complaints etc. If you still got nowhere then change doctors, but that should do something, especially if you file a complaint. 

Julian

It's the posters that wind me up saying they will not tolerate abuse as in raising ones voice. We are meant to sit and listen while being talked at and not talked to. It's the Secretary that got snotty with me when I quoted the 2010 act. She said that's work related therefore it's for the  jobcentreplus GOV work and pensions not us to state if you are disabled. I'm gobsmacked.??

Julian

sam12 said:

Change ur dr

I'm honestly thinking about it.?

Markmywords

Hello @Julian ,

Your GP's opinion is irrelevant. There is a definition in law that is wholly objective. It's no-one's place to "qualify" you as disabled.

Never talk to doctors' receptionists. Nothing constructive can ever come of it.

Julian

Hello@Markmywords.
To explain myself clearer I had written a letter of request to my GP so that I could clarify the fact my disability prevents me from working due to I'll health from my Typ 1 diabetes fibromyalgia and arthritis among other stuff. The Dr's Secretary rang me and stated they were not prepared to write I had a disability because the Dr said I had an accumal amount of ailments. They said it wasn't their responsibility to write such a letter. I mentioned the 2010 act but it made no difference. I'm waiting for the Surgery senior Dr (my actual GP who is never available)to come back from his holidays to discuss with him. All they have done is triggered of my anxieties which usually leads to depression and sleepless nights of worrying and questioning my own integrity.

Julian

Forgot to add thanks for your post.?

Markmywords

Ah that's a bit different. It is true that it isn't "their job" to write a statement. Other GP's might call it "private work" and charge for it.

Even if they did write such a statement it wouldn't carry any weight with anyone.

You might get somewhere with a private examiner such as insurers use but again it wouldn't carry any weight.

Disability is more often than not caused by multiple conditions. However the cause is irrelevant and it makes no sense that they brought it up.

It sounds as though it is just practice policy to refuse as there can be no legal liability to concern them.

Pin

What do you want the letter for? It doesn’t actually sound like it would help.