I don’t feel like I’m being taken seriously
Discussion
Largechris said:
The link you were given to the gut clinic has a price list for various tests, you could just get one or two of those done for a fixed fee.
The only one I can afford on that list is the helicobacter pylori test, which I’ve already had 3 times and was all clear.I just can’t afford to pay for test, I don’t have the correct income.
cadmunkey said:
Rob, do you get a lot of acid reflux as well? If you do, then your symptoms sound a lot like a hiatus hernia. I suffer with it myself, but the only way they can confirm is by endoscopy. Took them 25 years to diagnose mine!
No reflux. Lots of wind, from both ends, but no reflux. I’ll check the symptoms anyway just in case.Robmarriott said:
Largechris said:
The link you were given to the gut clinic has a price list for various tests, you could just get one or two of those done for a fixed fee.
The only one I can afford on that list is the helicobacter pylori test, which I’ve already had 3 times and was all clear.I just can’t afford to pay for test, I don’t have the correct income.
croyde said:
Is it not worth doing what the rest of the country is doing?
Going to A&E.
My GP surgery won't even pick up the phone these days.
That’s my last resort. Really last resort.Going to A&E.
My GP surgery won't even pick up the phone these days.
As frustrating as it is, it really doesn’t feel like an emergency and I was brought up to only use A&E if I had a limb hanging off or similar.
Largechris said:
Honestly I would be cancelling all holidays etc. to get this done, it's not worth it.
I appreciate your point. I have a holiday booked but none of my hotels are refundable (because it was expensive to have refundable bookings), so even if I did decide not to bother, having saved up for 4 years, I’d barely be able to afford the most basic of tests they offer, which I’ve already had with my GP.When I say I don’t have the money I mean it. I’ve considered the options but because I ALWAYS have to be cheap, sometimes it bites me in the arse.
(Pun not intended)
Edited by Robmarriott on Wednesday 3rd August 12:49
Robmarriott said:
croyde said:
Is it not worth doing what the rest of the country is doing?
Going to A&E.
My GP surgery won't even pick up the phone these days.
That’s my last resort. Really last resort.Going to A&E.
My GP surgery won't even pick up the phone these days.
As frustrating as it is, it really doesn’t feel like an emergency and I was brought up to only use A&E if I had a limb hanging off or similar.
Pester your GP. Like, really pester them. Keep making appointments and keep going. If you have multiple GPs at the same practice, make appointments with all of them to explain your problem.
They'll soon get you in somewhere for tests just to get you out of their hair.
Muzzer79 said:
Which is correct. If you turn up at A&E with wind, you'll just be rightly shown the door promptly.
Pester your GP. Like, really pester them. Keep making appointments and keep going. If you have multiple GPs at the same practice, make appointments with all of them to explain your problem.
They'll soon get you in somewhere for tests just to get you out of their hair.
It’s not wind. That’s a symptom but it’s not the cause.Pester your GP. Like, really pester them. Keep making appointments and keep going. If you have multiple GPs at the same practice, make appointments with all of them to explain your problem.
They'll soon get you in somewhere for tests just to get you out of their hair.
Either way though, I agree, this is not an A&E matter.
Pestering my GP is my only choice but it’s not that easy, I work 15 miles from my GP and as I can only book appointments on the same day, it’s a nightmare for me to go. Last year they did scheduled appointments a week or two ahead and that was perfect because I could book the morning off I work but they’ve stopped that, which leaves me having to hope my employer is understanding, again and again and again.
I need a GP who does scheduled appointments, that would help no end.
OP - do you get enough exercise? (Apologies if this has already been asked and I've missed it!).
I work in farming and agricultural contracting, so I'm quite physically active and reasonably fit. If I have a few "lazy" days I experience the same sort of symptoms you've described. A couple of days normal work and the symptoms disappear again. I'm in my mid-50's and this is also something which has come on over the last couple of years.
As both of my parents had bowel cancer I get an annual colonoscopy so I'm reassured that there's nothing seriously amiss.
I work in farming and agricultural contracting, so I'm quite physically active and reasonably fit. If I have a few "lazy" days I experience the same sort of symptoms you've described. A couple of days normal work and the symptoms disappear again. I'm in my mid-50's and this is also something which has come on over the last couple of years.
As both of my parents had bowel cancer I get an annual colonoscopy so I'm reassured that there's nothing seriously amiss.
sunbeam alpine said:
OP - do you get enough exercise? (Apologies if this has already been asked and I've missed it!).
I work in farming and agricultural contracting, so I'm quite physically active and reasonably fit. If I have a few "lazy" days I experience the same sort of symptoms you've described. A couple of days normal work and the symptoms disappear again. I'm in my mid-50's and this is also something which has come on over the last couple of years.
As both of my parents had bowel cancer I get an annual colonoscopy so I'm reassured that there's nothing seriously amiss.
Definitely not. My job is sitting behind a desk from 8-5.30, then I drive home and sit down all evening.I work in farming and agricultural contracting, so I'm quite physically active and reasonably fit. If I have a few "lazy" days I experience the same sort of symptoms you've described. A couple of days normal work and the symptoms disappear again. I'm in my mid-50's and this is also something which has come on over the last couple of years.
As both of my parents had bowel cancer I get an annual colonoscopy so I'm reassured that there's nothing seriously amiss.
I used to run, up until I damaged my knee and couldn’t for 12 months, by which time I’d lost the level of fitness I had and essentially gave up trying because every run was torture, knowing how quick I was pre injury.
It could be a factor, without a doubt. My knee is still a bit problematic but I could definitely walk or cycle.
cherie171 said:
This may be a little left field compared to some comments here, but have you suffered with any pain or other issues with your lower back? If there's anything affecting your nerves or spine in that area, it can also affect your digestion and give some of your symptoms.
No, nothing in my back but my right leg aches a lot, normally in the morning or if I don’t move much.That was the initial thing I went to the doctors about, because I was convinced it was a nerve issue causing both problems.
I suggested to them that maybe there was a lump or growth causing both the bowel pain and the leg pain, so I’ve had various blood tests, stool samples and X-rays, which I’ve been assured would have found anything of the sort. All of them were clear.
Robmarriott said:
No, nothing in my back but my right leg aches a lot, normally in the morning or if I don’t move much.
That was the initial thing I went to the doctors about, because I was convinced it was a nerve issue causing both problems.
I suggested to them that maybe there was a lump or growth causing both the bowel pain and the leg pain, so I’ve had various blood tests, stool samples and X-rays, which I’ve been assured would have found anything of the sort. All of them were clear.
It could still be worth a visit to an osteopath if you haven't already. Something out of alignment, or even old damage that your body has been compensating for can easily cause the issues without it being anything that would show up on an Xray. That was the initial thing I went to the doctors about, because I was convinced it was a nerve issue causing both problems.
I suggested to them that maybe there was a lump or growth causing both the bowel pain and the leg pain, so I’ve had various blood tests, stool samples and X-rays, which I’ve been assured would have found anything of the sort. All of them were clear.
My OH has just started with a new one, and prior to his most recent session, was suffering horrendous indigestion that wasn't going with the usual remedies. A bit of forceful manipulation later, and the indigestion is gone.
cherie171 said:
It could still be worth a visit to an osteopath if you haven't already. Something out of alignment, or even old damage that your body has been compensating for can easily cause the issues without it being anything that would show up on an Xray.
My OH has just started with a new one, and prior to his most recent session, was suffering horrendous indigestion that wasn't going with the usual remedies. A bit of forceful manipulation later, and the indigestion is gone.
In that case, that’s another line of investigation I need to take. Thanks.My OH has just started with a new one, and prior to his most recent session, was suffering horrendous indigestion that wasn't going with the usual remedies. A bit of forceful manipulation later, and the indigestion is gone.
Re-setting life, with new diet and exercise regime, might be a good approach.
Have you ever tried to track what you are eating and drinking all day? Pret "sandwiches", the odd sugary energy drink, take-outs, all that?
Desk-bound job with Western society eating habits is a bad combo for any middle-aged man.
Have you ever tried to track what you are eating and drinking all day? Pret "sandwiches", the odd sugary energy drink, take-outs, all that?
Desk-bound job with Western society eating habits is a bad combo for any middle-aged man.
I've tracked my diet at various points, I've even tried several elimination diets but that said, I could probably do better.
It's very rare that I have a takeaway, but it's also very rare that I cook from scratch with decent ingredients.
Typically;
No breakfast unless we get it free at work, when I'll have a bacon roll. That's VERY rare.
Meal deal for lunch, which would be a sandwich or pasta, bottle of water, chocolate bar and some crisps (but I'd have the low calorie option on them)
Dinner I might have rice with fish/eggs/chicken and veg, maybe beans on toast or soup (not on toast) if I'm feeling lazy, or on the odd occasion, some sort of microwave option.
No desert, no constant snacking, no sugary/energy drinks, just black coffee sometimes and water.
I could eat more fruit but I live alone and it tends to just go past its best and end up in the bin.
The problem I have here is that this medical issue I am having is to do with my digestive system so quite often, what I eat is dictated by how I feel. If I'm having a day where I feel particularly bad, I might eat less than I should.
It's very rare that I have a takeaway, but it's also very rare that I cook from scratch with decent ingredients.
Typically;
No breakfast unless we get it free at work, when I'll have a bacon roll. That's VERY rare.
Meal deal for lunch, which would be a sandwich or pasta, bottle of water, chocolate bar and some crisps (but I'd have the low calorie option on them)
Dinner I might have rice with fish/eggs/chicken and veg, maybe beans on toast or soup (not on toast) if I'm feeling lazy, or on the odd occasion, some sort of microwave option.
No desert, no constant snacking, no sugary/energy drinks, just black coffee sometimes and water.
I could eat more fruit but I live alone and it tends to just go past its best and end up in the bin.
The problem I have here is that this medical issue I am having is to do with my digestive system so quite often, what I eat is dictated by how I feel. If I'm having a day where I feel particularly bad, I might eat less than I should.
Exoticlover said:
Microwave food and the legendary UK high street "meal deals". Eliminate these two, and add some breakfast. that will be gentle to your stomach and bowls.
Also buy apples, they dont perish easily.
The microwave option is categorically ‘sometimes’, not often. Also buy apples, they dont perish easily.
Breakfast is a real struggle, always has been. I can’t do anything sweet or I feel nauseous, I normally don’t feel like I can eat until about 10:30 unless it’s something savoury, but then most of the savoury options I can buy aren’t exactly healthy, again, like I say, I’m not a good cook.
I see your point though and agree I can eat better.
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