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4/29/2010 5:12:57 PM
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Init1972
Posts 352
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Hi All,
On the Action for M.E. website (www.afme.org.uk) I came across this handy print out designed to take to your GP and thought someone else may find it helpful - the link is http://www.afme.org.uk/res/img/resources/GP%20Guide%20Apr%2008.pdf
I printed a copy of this and took to my GP when I felt I was getting no where and asked her to tell me which I had & hadn't had so she had to send me for the ones not yet done - these have since come back "All Clear" but it takes a bit of the leg work out for you hopefully if you are at the early stages and not diagnosed yet - I am now awaiting a throat swab test result in a weeks time and then will push for another referal as the GP is taking too long - all tests could have been done at the same time.....
Helen also said she would print out to give to her family to help them understand what she is going through, - I did the same with my partner who although very understanding & patient, he just wasn't helping out at home etc and I sensed he thought I was just "Down" - this kind of shocked him into realising that it could be a bit more than "Just Tiredness"......
The recommended tests your GP should send you for are:
Basic Screening Tests
* Full Blood Count
* C-reactive protein (CRP)
* Blood biochemistry including creatinine, urea & electrodes, calcium, liver enzymes and glucose
* Thyroid function test
* Urinalysis
I will leave you all to read for yourselves but thought one of the most interesting points, and why I took to my GP (who has ignored it incidently and refused a copy!) is the following:
TIMESCALE
A working or interim diagnosis is better than none and allows active management to begin. For most adults, six weeks from the onset of abnormal fatigue is a time to be considering CFS/M.E. as a differential diagnosis; advice and management should reflect the possibility. By six months, if symptoms persist, a provisional diagnosis can usually be confirmed. These timescales should be shorter in Children (see page 6).
I have felt like this for 8 weeks now and have had 1 chest infection and 2 Throat infections in that time.
Les x
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9/4/2010 7:27:24 PM
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Init1972
Posts 352
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Just bumping this up for any newbies who need something they can read and give to friemnds/family/gp's to help them maybe understand!
Les x
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9/5/2010 12:45:50 PM
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emuna
Posts 240
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This is brilliant. Thanks. Really helpful for people who are newbies or struggling with doctors/authorities. I'll make a few copies and make sure my doctor's surgery gets them.
There are six doctors in the practice I go to and on the whole I've been treated well and they were willing to run the tests I needed. When the tests came back clear one of the doctors said he thought I had M.E./CFS but he was honest and said he and his colleagues had little knowledge of this illness and it was unlikely that anyone would know what to do with me. For this reason he referred me on to a medical specialist fairly early on. I go in to the surgery now from time to time if I get new symptoms, just to get them checked out and make sure there's nothing else going on.
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9/6/2010 8:30:56 AM
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Init1972
Posts 352
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You are welcome Emuna - great that you can pass onto so many GP's!!
Les x
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3/29/2011 10:31:32 PM
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Init1972
Posts 352
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Just Bumping this up again for anyone new to the forum - it is a REALLY useful Guide to take and discuss with your GP and also with any family or friends struggling to understand.
Les x
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3/31/2011 10:21:50 AM
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wangjiwei
Posts 5
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Hi all,
Good advice from you all and very true, it does us no good trying to be heroes! I start work next week doing afternoons only, we are off after that for two weeks college hols so can have a rest again! Not sure if all afernoons will work but going to have a go, 3 full days sounds a good idea too. As you say I will have to listen to what my body is prepared to do, doc seems to think I am doing very well so fingers crossed. Once again such a great and supportive bunch of people thanks all
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