Horrible experience at G.P's.

I've just returned from the doctors surgery. I'm so upset.

I've had bouts of recurring symptoms and illness for many years now, including tenderness and pain down one side of my body (leg buttock and sometimes my face). Feelings of total exhaustion, weird sensations, depressive bouts, and sometimes but not always, small blisters.

During an attack a few months ago, I showed my partner the blisters I had at the base of my spine....almost as an after thought. He immediately said they looked like Shingles that he had had some years ago. ( Luckily for him it was a one off attack).

I had assumed the blisters I sometimes had when feeling ill, we're spots due to being constantly run down.

I then looked on line and indeed the images of blisters looked identical ... and I found this forum and it felt like all the pieces slotted together.

I finally thought I'd found out what this awful reacurring illness was, which gave me relief at finally knowing what it was... as I have been ill for so many years with the same recurring symptoms.

I made an appointment to see the first available doctor. It turned out to be a very young and inexperienced girl. She had no idea and had clearly never come across Shingles before. She had to go out the room and speak to another doctor, who was busy, so didn't come into the room to examine me.. She did no swab test on the blisters and did not confirm it was Shingles.

Instead the other doctor told her to make me an appointment to see a rheumatology specialist as I had presented with the same symptoms several times over the years (Some of those times I had some odd blisters which I didn't think to bring up, as I've previously mentioned as I thought I was constantly run down)

I've been wating for months and still have not received a letter of referal.

Since then, the episodes continue. I feel like my life has been hijacked.

It' feels like Ground Hog day over and over...

The only thing keeping me going is this forum...

Which brings me to today.

This attack is focused on the right side of my face and head. I've been feeling so depressed and incredibly exhausted. Really odd pain in my head which is causing me to not sleep. I've had tell tale tingling on the right side of my face and a few days ago, a blister (although very small) on the inside of my right eyelid.

I rang to see a doctor yesterday, to find out if I could take any medications to ease the symptoms.

However, they were all busy and I was promised a call back. No call came so I rang again today. Someone had made a mistake at not passing on the message to the doctor to call me.. I had no apology.

I don't drive (even if I could I'm feeling so ill I don't think I would have been capable of doing so anyway). I stupidly thought I could walk there; as it's usually about a 15 min walk ... Half an hour later I arrived.

I don't how how I didn't collapse. After a wait I was told I would be seeing a paramedic. Not a doctor. Something they have introduced recently at the doctors surgery.

I was not happy but went in anyway. He was surly to say the least. I burst into tears as I was feeling so ill. He said nothing...didn't even offer me a tissue. Just asked a few questions and I told him my symptoms ... he then said he would ask a doctor to come in. I had to ask to lie down as at that point I thought I might faint.

I had to wait with him in silence until the doctor came into the room.

I then had to go through telling the G.P my symptoms and previous experience with the young doctor. Again, blank look but this time he said it was not Shingles as I had no visible blisters on my face. I tried to explain everything I have read time and time again and on this forum ... that blisters are not always present and that I have had them in the past and had a small blister on my eyelid. He just looked at me as if I was an idiot. As did the paramedic

He then simply turned on his heel and left the room. No empathy... no explanation. .. nothing. I feel so frustrated and will NEVER return there again.

I am appalled at the lack of empathy, understanding and lack of knowledge that so called experts exhibit. I fully understand the workload of doctors but the arrogance and downright rudeness shown to me today is awful. I felt so humiliated on top of feeling so ill.

2 likes, 20 replies