Three months of feeling rubbish!

[Mad Chick]

I am SO cross!

I have an under active thyroid, diagnosed many years ago. I've been on roughly the same dose of thyroxine for 12 years now but had to have my annual blood test at the beginning of September. I got a phone call from my GP's secretary a few days later to say they were reducing my dose from 200mcg per day down to 75mcg. I queried it with her as it was such a huge drop, she checked with my doc but remained firm that it needed to be dropped by that amount but they would do another blood test in 3 months.

The main symptoms of an underactive thyroid are feeling tired, feeling cold, thinning hair, sore muscles and weakness, sore throat, depression, weight gain and constipation

I have had three months of hell, I have felt totally wiped out ( I even began to wonder whether I had something seriously wrong), put on weight despite dieting like mad, had a constant sore throat and have hardly had a poo for months Not to mention the fact that our heating bill has been huge as I feel SO cold! I have been so miserable that I've made everyone else around me mad I spoke to my GP who said I must wait the full three months for another blood test as it takes so long for the body to level out.

I had my blood test on Tuesday and got a phone call from her today to say my levels are way under and she is going to put me back to my original dose of 100mcg. When I told her that I was on 200mcg, not 100mcg, she went very quiet. Then she admitted that she hadn't read my notes properly and thought I was only on 100mcg, hence the drop down to 75mcg. She even said... "You poor thing, you must have felt awful. Why didn't you come in to see me?" I DID!!!

She has now put me back up to my original dose of 200 as she says it's better to be slightly over than under! I'm relieved that I shall soon be back to normal but what a bl***y waste of three months

Lucy x

[roddelmae]

My wife, Irene is at present, on 175mcg. She has regular tests and the dose has been varied according to her needs. Nevertheless, she still feels rough at times, possibly because of her other medical issues. She is on a total of 35 pills a day!
I know what I would do with that doctor. There are ways to complain about poor performance, such as complaining to the practice manager if she is one of a number in a medical centre. That would be the first step to take,or if she is in a practise on her own, I would go to the GMC, and a solicitor who specialises in medical claims.
This sort of incompetancy should not be tolerated.

[Dinchy]

OMG Lucy, that is shocking. I hope you are soon back to normal. That is a rediculous mistake for a doctor to make.

[wendy]

Doctors make you despair sometimes.
My very dearest friend was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago, with a very aggressive cancerous brain tumour.
She had been to her doctor, who sent her for blood tests, although we all thought this was what she had. Two days later she got so bad her husband took her to A & E and they scanned and found it.
On the day she had her op [three days later] she had a letter from her GP sending her to see the mental health people.....WHAT.... how can he think she had a mental health problem, when we all recognised the symptoms !!!.
I don't blame you for being cross. I think it proves MC if you don't feel right keep going back until they do, do something.
I hope you are feeling much better now.
Wendy

[Effie]

My Gran had an underactive thyroid. I can imagine how bad you felt these last three minths. I'd consider making an official complaint, especially as you quesried the dose, it seems she didn't read you notes properly twice!

Hope you are feeling better soon, Effie

[kate egg]

God Lucy that sounds awful, I hope that now you are back on the right dose that your symptoms improve

[p.penn]

That is so scary. What really makes me angry is the fact that it has made such a difference to your life for 3 whole months. It is not acceptable.

2 years ago I was referred to a specialist. I was told I would need treatment at a different hospital and then didn't hear anything. I got quite worried and having spoken to my GP tried to ring the hospital several times to see what was going on.

Eventually I got an appointment for 7 months after I saw the specialist with a letter which said 'early treatment is essential for success'. When I finally had it, it turned out the treatment hadn't even begun at this hospital when I was referred and so my notes were shoved in a drawer. They weren't found for 5 months.

[Meanqueen]

It is really quite worrying, there are so many instances of mistakes being made, things overlooked, things forgotten and lost. It makes you wonder if anyone in the medical profession knows what they are doing anymore.

The last two times I have been to the doctors, both of them asked me what I thought it could be. Excuse me, I have come here to ask you that. One doctor gave me some gaviscon for blocked sinuses, I was so surprised I walked out with it. It is still in the cupboard not touched.

Hope you are feeling better soon, Lucy
Ilona

[stace]

Hope you feel better soon Lucy, we know our own bodies they think we are stupid

[Sunny B]

Sorry to hear these awful stories. It just goes to show that doctors, just like all of us, have their off days and make mistakes. The only problem is that, instead of something harmless like me putting the dirty socks in the dishwasher instead of the washing machine, doctors' mistakes can have potentially life threatening results.

I just found this:"If you are unhappy with the advice you have been given by your GP, consultant, or another healthcare professional, you may ask for a second (or further) opinion.

Although you do not have a legal right to a second opinion, you have the right to ask for one. A healthcare professional will rarely refuse to refer you for one unless there is sufficient reason."

There is more on this subject at:http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/910.aspx