Do you trust your doctor? - Page 2

Zooropa · 24th February 2008, 12:10am

GPs only care about QOF points and the yankee dollar.

Hammer · 24th February 2008, 12:15am

Just to add to the tales of horror, my dad had throat problems for a year or so and was put on increasingly strong painkillers by his GP. After a while, with the Doctor able to provide him with no sufficient explanation for the pain, my Dad went to a BUPA Doctor for a second opinion, got a scan the same day. His vocal cords were riddled with cancer. As if it couldn't get worse, neither BUPA nor NHS scans picked up the massive secondary tumors in his lungs which eventually killed him.

I suppose in some ways, Doctors are shy of sending people into hospital for scans or adding to waiting lists. They are being told to stay within 'targets' and 'goals' which seems to be decided at Westminster and Holyrood rather then by people who actually know what they are talking about.

GoddamnElectric · 24th February 2008, 12:23am

My GP misdiagnosed me with epididymitis once. So adding to the embarrassment of not one, not two, but three testicular exams I also had 2 weeks of pointless antibiotics. Turns out there was actually nothing wrong with me, I was suffering a psychosomatic response to something else. Granted that was probably a tough one to catch, and I don't really hold it against him, but it shook my confidence nonetheless. I still see the same GP, but there's definitely a lack of banter between us now.

Zooropa · 24th February 2008, 12:37am

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoddamnElectric

My GP misdiagnosed me with epididymitis once. So adding to the embarrassment of not one, not two, but three testicular exams I also had 2 weeks of pointless antibiotics. Turns out there was actually nothing wrong with me, I was suffering a psychosomatic response to something else. Granted that was probably a tough one to catch, and I don't really hold it against him, but it shook my confidence nonetheless. I still see the same GP, but there's definitely a lack of banter between us now.

In a similar vein I was diagnosis with epididymitis too.
Pain persisted.
Back a few months later.
Accepted it wasn't epididymitis.
9 months later:

http://www.altnation.com/forums/2644923-post66.html

[NSFW]

hotblonde · 24th February 2008, 1:10am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

I have a recurring ear infection that I get about 9/10 times a year and she puts it down to cold wind and a low immunity. She does know more than me and I trust her but I would like a 2nd opinon.

Unless she has some sort of X-ray vision and a desktop thermal cycler where she can pop a sample and analyse within a few minutes, she's making an educated guess. Like most guesses, educated or otherwise, there's a high probability that she's wrong.

You are well within your rights to be referred, have proper tests done and actually find out what you're suffering from, how to cure it and how to prevent it (if indeed that's possible).

**LesMTS** · 24th February 2008, 1:14am

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblonde

a desktop thermal cycler where she can pop a sample and analyse within a few minutes, she's making an educated guess.

A few minutes? What kind of polymerases and sequencing are you using?

I'm being friendly, if that's not clear without smilies.

hotblonde · 24th February 2008, 1:17am

That was my point...donut!

I did actually read a while ago that desktop PCR for G.Ps was around the corner for basic identification of bacteria/viruses. Can't see it myself, but hey anything's possible. I suppose it could replace the generic 'you've got a virus, not fuck off' response and the 'here take these all curing antibiotics, they'll help you grow a new heart'.

**LesMTS** · 24th February 2008, 1:21am

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblonde

That was my point...donut!

I did actually read a while ago that desktop PCR for G.Ps was around the corner for basic identification of bacteria/viruses. Can't see it myself, but hey anything's possible. I suppose it could replace the generic 'you've got a virus, not fuck off' response and the 'here take these all curing antibiotics, they'll help you grow a new heart'.

I got some KOD polymerase a few months ago. It's faster than a bastard. Still a good hour for a PCR though.

hotblonde · 24th February 2008, 1:21am

'faster than a bastard'...haha, brilliant.

**LesMTS** · 24th February 2008, 1:24am

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblonde

'faster than a bastard'...haha, brilliant.

140 bases per second. That's at least as fast as a bastard, if not faster.

hotblonde · 24th February 2008, 1:28am

That's very excellent actually. You know I've not done PCR for so bloody long, I'd take ages to make a mastermix let alone dilute primers (get a technician Les). That said, I think I'm getting back in the lab soon - I get to play with microRNAs now apparently. I miss the lab, so looking forward to it.

Rhythm Junkie · 24th February 2008, 1:34am

I trust my doctor at home. He always involves me in any diagnostic process - like the time I went with a numb thigh and we had a swatch at an anatomy book and decided it was more than likely a pinched/trapped nerve. He's cool that way - if he doesn't know something he always owns up and goes out of his way to get me an answer. I'm all respect for people who have the balls to do that.

In saying that, I have been putting off registering with a doctor down here, which is a bit silly as I've been sicker in the year I've lived here than I have been in the last 10 years. I'm not entirely sure what it is that's fuelling my reluctance but I do, at times, wish I could call my doc and chat with him about what's wrong with me.

**LesMTS** · 24th February 2008, 1:36am

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblonde

That's very excellent actually. You know I've not done PCR for so bloody long, I'd take ages to make a mastermix let alone dilute primers (get a technician Les). That said, I think I'm getting back in the lab soon - I get to play with microRNAs now apparently. I miss the lab, so looking forward to it.

I'm playing with microRNAs just now. Just started on it though so don't ask me anything yet. Trying to make a stable line of GSTO1 knockdown MCF7 breast cancer cells, which will be interesting to play with if I manage it.
Just buy your primers from MWG and they do all the dilution maths for you. And I buy mastermixes in ready made, just tinker with them if the primers or templates are tricky.

endless psych · 24th February 2008, 2:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesMTS

I'm playing with microRNAs just now. Just started on it though so don't ask me anything yet. Trying to make a stable line of GSTO1 knockdown MCF7 breast cancer cells, which will be interesting to play with if I manage it.
Just buy your primers from MWG and they do all the dilution maths for you. And I buy mastermixes in ready made, just tinker with them if the primers or templates are tricky.

Start your own bloody genetics thread... grrr...

**LesMTS** · 24th February 2008, 2:17am

Quote:

Originally Posted by endless psych

Start your own bloody genetics thread... grrr...

Done http://www.altnation.com/forums/junk...ml#post3278855