Should I get a second opinion?

[mountainboo]

I have always had poor immunity to chest infections, however within the last year I have had 6 chest infections. This week I came back from Ireland with a painfully sore throat. This evolved into yet another chest infection and most recently Conjunctivitus and a particularly severe bout of thrush (sorry to mention that one, I've had recurring bouts since I gave birth to my Son) . I have been to my doctor countless times and every time, he puts it down to what is going around! Would the fact that I have had it so many times not prompt him to maybe give me a blood test or refer me to Ear, Nose and Throat? I never feel confident questioning his diagnosis as he has been my doctor for so long and worked with my Father many years ago. My husband thinks I should change doctors.

[dr b]

Your husband is wise (in this case, anyway). if you're not happy with the service and advice you're getting why wouldn't you get another opinion? Doctors can be wrong.

[ACtheTROLL]

I've been battling with 3 practice GPs since feb about heart

but I caught a minor chest infection
and was given antibiotics .... which I turned out to be allergic to (penicillin)

I ended up in a&e and the investigations started .... I ended up in hospital for 12 days ... (nice rest)

the outcome however was while in hospital I was treated by a dermatologist - who took x-rays and blood - discovered overactive thyroid problem
was referred to thyroid guy who backed what I was saying about it being caused by high doses of amioderone he had access to my notes and read the letter that I knew was in there -
(2 practice doctors had said it was "unlikely" - but never looked)

have now been given an appointment for next week with cardiologist to review treatment.

all nice .... but the point is some GP kick everything to a specialist - others "know better" and won't even consider it - if you don't kick and scream they just stonewall

a couple of bloodtests and an x-ray could just nail the problem (I'm not a doctor ... but go with the principle) -
in my case I bypassed the wall by ending up in hospital

it's up to you

[sqad617]

AC...LOL........sorry...should have been -:).......well done.
Thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism) is unusual in males AC so don't be too hard on the medics.

mountain........how old are you?...whatt is your past medical history?....do you smoke? are you on medication?

All these questions need to be attended to BUT bottom line is that a chest X-ray and blood tests would be advisable.

[mountainboo]

Thanks for the replies. Squad, I have never smoked and have always had a good general health (apart from the chest infections). I had a chest X-ray about 4 years ago which showed nothing and came back normal. I will do as Dr b advises and ask for a blood test. ACtheTROLL, sounds like you've had a bit of a nightmare.

What I really want is to be referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, but knowing how reluctant doctors are to make referrals these days I don't hold out much hope. My Dr gave me an inhaler (brown one) which he said should surpress the tickly cough. That hasn't done much.

[sqad617]

mouintain...thanks for your reply.
Not quite sure how anENT would help, but who knows.

About the reccuring bouts of thrush, one should exclude reinfection from your husband.

Blood tests including thyroid function tests would indeed help.

[ACtheTROLL]

last reply sound horribly familiar

I had x-ray in jan - which showed all OK (also offered an inhaler which I refused)
the march one showed a small shadow which was the infection and earned me the antibiotics - and you had one 4 years ago !!!

squad - lol - you've got a rotten sense of humour - I only told the story to get a bit of sympathy - fat chance ;-)

[daffy654]

I'm also not sure how an ENT specialist would help.You actually need to see a chest specialist.
Many GPs are reluctant to make referrals these days as it costs the surgery money for every one they make.

[sqad617]

AC...yes I shouldn't have laughed and did replace LOL with -:)
and you are right, my sense of humopur is bizzare....always has been.....Sorry.

[sqad617]

AC

I have a normal sense of humour, but a bizzare sense of humopur......LOL....can this be treated and is it a STD?

[ACtheTROLL]

mountain - see ... now you have people who do know what they're talking about as well

squad - gotcha ;-)) - keep em coming big boy

[mountainboo]

Thanks again. I was thinking ENT because of the sore throats. Whenever I get the chest infection I always end up with a severe tickle in my throat. There isn't so much mucus (only at the beginning of the infection). I also get very swollen and sore glands with it.

I hadn't thought of Thyroid. My husband suffers with Hypothyroid and is on medication for this. When I ask for a blood test I will mention about thyroid. Does it cost the surgery for blood tests?

I had wondered if it could be an allergy or asthma? With regards to the Thrush, I have recently started taking the live bacteria yoghurt drinks on a daily basis as I was told by a Pharmacist that it could help.