Bad GP advice - what would you do?
Discussion
Last May I started suffering fairly serious hay fever symptoms for the first time in my life. I put it down to hay fever until November came around and I was still getting itchy eyes, really stuffy nose and even itchy skin.
It got bad enough that I had to take antihistamine tablets every day to be able to sleep (have since found out taking them for that long isn't a great idea.)
So I went to my NHS GP (never seen him before), told him my symptoms. He spent about 2 seconds looking at my nose (red, inflamed) and told me I'm allergic to the pollution in London. I pointed out that I worked here for several years before this started, and lived here for 2 years with no problems, but he was adamant. I asked whether there was a chance I could be allergic to something else like dust mites or mould spores, but he dismissed both saying they would result in asthma, not hayfever like symptoms.
So I spent another few months living with it, and seriously considering moving back out of London again, before deciding to go to my private GP at work. They sent me to a specialist, who sent me off for some blood tests and, whatdya know, I have a very obvious allergic reaction to.......dust mites!
Having taken steps to reduce my exposure to the little blighters my symptoms have improved dramatically.
So the question is, would you do anything about the bad initial advice? I'm very fortunate that I have access to a very good private GP through work. Most people don't have this, and given the same advice would either have to live with it, or take the extreme step of moving out of the city which could be seriously expensive and ultimately fruitless. It seems to me that initial advice was a result of laziness, incompetence or a fear of spending money on some pretty simple tests. Is it worth making a complaint? Although I haven't been massively affected by this I would like to think I could help others avoid getting the same advice from the same GP, or other NHS GPs.
It got bad enough that I had to take antihistamine tablets every day to be able to sleep (have since found out taking them for that long isn't a great idea.)
So I went to my NHS GP (never seen him before), told him my symptoms. He spent about 2 seconds looking at my nose (red, inflamed) and told me I'm allergic to the pollution in London. I pointed out that I worked here for several years before this started, and lived here for 2 years with no problems, but he was adamant. I asked whether there was a chance I could be allergic to something else like dust mites or mould spores, but he dismissed both saying they would result in asthma, not hayfever like symptoms.
So I spent another few months living with it, and seriously considering moving back out of London again, before deciding to go to my private GP at work. They sent me to a specialist, who sent me off for some blood tests and, whatdya know, I have a very obvious allergic reaction to.......dust mites!
Having taken steps to reduce my exposure to the little blighters my symptoms have improved dramatically.
So the question is, would you do anything about the bad initial advice? I'm very fortunate that I have access to a very good private GP through work. Most people don't have this, and given the same advice would either have to live with it, or take the extreme step of moving out of the city which could be seriously expensive and ultimately fruitless. It seems to me that initial advice was a result of laziness, incompetence or a fear of spending money on some pretty simple tests. Is it worth making a complaint? Although I haven't been massively affected by this I would like to think I could help others avoid getting the same advice from the same GP, or other NHS GPs.
You could try and complain but that would be like trying top knock down a 10ft thick brick wall with your head. I guess you could write a letter to whoever and if enough go on file then just maybe something will be done, but I wouldn't hold up too much hope. Otherwise,just put it down to bad experience.
I wouldn't worry too much about long term antihistamine use. I've been taking them for more than 15 years and I'm still hanging on - Same issue as you so know the joys that the little blighter's s
t brings!
One thing you might want to use as well as or instead of is breathe right strips. They help me when I've had a few rough nights on the bounce.
I wouldn't worry too much about long term antihistamine use. I've been taking them for more than 15 years and I'm still hanging on - Same issue as you so know the joys that the little blighter's s
t brings!One thing you might want to use as well as or instead of is breathe right strips. They help me when I've had a few rough nights on the bounce.
Edited by ClintonB on Tuesday 14th July 21:41
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