I recently went to the gp regarding headaches, I told the gp that I had a sleep study booked for possible sleep apnea and we both agreed to wait for the outcome before continuing investigating the headaches. My blood pressure was high so the gp prescribed medication to bring this down, and asked me to get an ECG and kidney scan done, it was not explained to me why these test were being done. In the next few weeks the gp kept in contact asking for blood pressure readings, increasing my dose as it was not coming down. After a few weeks it came down to a level the gp was happy with. I had the ECG and kidney scan done and was then diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea, which looking at the NHS website can lead to heart disease and kidney issues. I believe that I may have had sleep apnea for many years as I’ve had symptoms but thought it’s just headaches they’ll go, but as my wife and I are now expecting our first child I thought I best get them checked out in case it was something more serious. I then did not hear anything about test results until I queried them after finding out I did indeed have sleep apnea, a full 10 weeks later… I was told a gp would call me to discuss the results in 5 days time, this only added to my worry. I did not receive a call in the afternoon as I was told so sent another request about 6:30pm to the gp surgery requesting I get a call the following day. The gp did actually call me that night at 8:30pm. He said that I had some tests done a few weeks back and ‘what was it I wanted to know’ he sounded very uninterested and made me feel like I was just wasting his time. I explained I haven’t heard anything about the results and want to know if everything’s okay as it’s been so long, I mean what is the point in sending me for tests without giving me the result? His response was ‘well there’s nothing significant, and the scan was okay but a slightly fatty liver which can be helped by following a weight loss diet, so anything else’ I was so taken aback that I did not tell him that after reading about sleep apnea it can lead to heart disease and kidney issues that I have been worrying nonstop. I did mention that my blood pressure had risen again, and the response was ‘well it was fine a week ago so carry on with medication you have and let us know if it changes’
I feel that I left in the dark regarding why the test were done and the outcomes that could have been linked to my health condition. I was then made to feel a nuisance for asking for the results.
"Made to feel I’m wasting their time"
About: Tadworth Medical Centre Tadworth Medical Centre Tadworth KT20 5JE
Posted via nhs.uk
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