Seeking personal advice

[daisya]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction even though this is a difficult question. I have complicated health problem/problems where I need to find a solution to so I need to talk to someone (face to face) with medical interest who can understand what is going on and offer advice but I don't necessarily at this point want to talk to a doctor. Has anyone else sought this type of help/advice/someone to listen to them and if so where is my first point of call if you have please? I would be so grateful for any suggestions you may be able to offer, thank you.

[bednobs]

is there a support group/charity for your illness?

[daisya]

Hi bednobs, as there are lots of issues involved, a support group won't be much use for this unfortunately, it would have to be someone with general medical knowledge or in that field really who could help me make some decisions.

[bednobs]

are you willing to pay for this advice?

[daisya]

Yes I would be in fact I think it's the only way I would be able to find someone who could help...be nice to know if there was someone in the NHS who could help though.

[Chaffinch]

How about your nurse paractitioner at your GP's?

[Chaffinch]

*practitioner*

[bednobs]

Well the only thing i can think of that's not the GP would be the practice nurse. Is it just doctors in general, or your particular gp? Where are you - i'm a nurse and could quite easily come and listen you your worries then charge yoyu a hefty fee :)

[Maydup]

Do you have an NHS walk in centre near you? They are open to all and you can come and go as you please with no appointment necessary.

[DTCwordfan]

Advertising your services, bedknobs?

[DTCwordfan]

any friends who are Docs or senior medics, daisya, that you could quietly sound out?

[craft1948]

Ring your local Well Woman clinic and see if they can help..........

[wolf63]

My first stop would be my GP - but I have a good (at times) GP and he is easy to talk to.

What about writing it all down and then taking it to your GP and he/she might be able to help you or point you in the right direction.

[Prudie]

Do you mean someone more in the counselling/psychotherapy field becasue I'm sure you can go privately with them directly (and having to pay of course).

[daisya]

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful. It is a medical problem not psychological but my GP(s) don't seem to have the time and that's what I need for this. I think the well woman place might be one thing to try, don't know about the nurse at the GP's, again I don't have the confidence in them which is a shame. It's so difficult because it's several things which are making my health bad but I need to take the time to explain and get them to understand it to be able to advise me. I will write it all down when I do find where to go because of the complications of it all...oh dear if only life were (a little bit) more simple ha!

[Prudie]

Ok I do understand. I often think I'd like to ask about this, this this and this but never can in a 10 minute slot and there are loads in the waiting room behind you. Writing it down is a good idea and I think you can ask for a double appointment if you explain. Good luck.

[daisya]

Thank you Prudie, it's nice to know someone understands the predicament I'm in especially as it could be a not so nice an outcome for me...that's why I need to get it right.

[sara3]

see a private GP. they'll give you all the time you can pay for..

[daisya]

Thanks Sara, might even have to do that.