Have you sought a second opinion before?

[Lenny]

I just came back from the doctor very dissatisfied, and I want to get a second opinion. Would it be really weird to go to the same clinic and see a different doctor, or should I join a different clinic and
see a new doctor there?

I'm just thinking that if I go to the same clinic, they are going to see the notes etc and they are less likely to want to contradict a colleague.

I am anaemic. I know because I tried to donate plasma and failed! This is unusual for me - I’m normally fine, especially for plasma which is a lower threshold. The doctor wants me to see a gastroenterologist to check for stomach bleeding. This seems so radical to me. I have endometriosis. Surely that's the most likely cause?! He said see the gastro first to rule that out. I have a referral in my handbag. I eat normally, have no tummy troubles. The only thing wrong with me is I get heavy heavy AF.

I don't want to see a gastroenterologist unnecessarily.

TBH I just thought he'd send me home with some iron tablets!

So, same clinic, different doctor or new clinic time??

[Trillian]

I'd try a new clinic TBH. That way you are starting with a clean slate so to speak. If you had stomach bleeding I think you'd know about it! I would put money on it being the heavy bleeds and if you were to see any type of specialist for further treatment, it should be a gyno.

[Ryatha]

I got a second opinion from the same clinic once. I had a younger doctor prescribe me some pain meds I was fairly sure were going to react with my AD's. When I got home I checked (thanks dr google) before I took them luckily. I then went back spoke to a different doctor and put in a compaint against the first. Had I taken those drugs I could have gone into a coma or worse.

If a Dr is behaving, referring or prescribing incorrectly its a good idea to report it as others may be affected worse than us as they aren't on the ball.

And yeah, intestinal bleeding usually involves pain, and dark stools (TMI sorry)

[AnyDream]

I've had a second opinion from the same clinic before, a couple of times. It can be easier if that's your normal drs because then they have the rest of your history on hand too. And if one of their colleagues is a bit of a numpty sometimes they usually know that too. But if you feel uncomfortable going back, by all means see a different clinic. Just be aware that the really good drs can be hard to get into if you're a new patient.

Btw I agree with Trill, I would imagine it was cause to see your gyno.

[Indadhanu]

Yes i have, for DD. Our first dr (not my usual, my usual left unexpectedly so we ended up seeing the other dr at the clinic) told me her tonsils were normal, she'd grow into them, no infection, but proceeded to prescribe an extremely high dose of antibiotics that he had to get approval to prescribe!! It didn't seem right (why, if there was no issue or infection, would you prescribe antibiotics? This was a big red flag!).

Saw a second doctor at a different clinic (the other doctor at our usual clinic had a terrible reputation so we were more comfortable going to a new one), said her tonsils were HUGE but no infection, saw the antibiotic prescription and was absolutely stunned at the dose for her age and size, gave me his professional opinion which was to not get the antibiotics as he did a full checkup and saw no sign of any infection, asked questions about her history, sent an immediate referal to the Royal Children's Hospital for specialist management, and we have just seen the specialist this morning (we ended up going back and getting a private referal because the public list was very long) who has recommended surgery to remove tonsils and adnoids because they are unusually big.

Very glad we got the second opinion, and this is your right as a patient and really you need to be your own advocate. Not to say that you have to push for one particular outcome, but if it is the right way to go then hearing another doctor say that the course of action is warranted might put your mind at ease.

[Rivlas]

A blood test should have been done to check your iron levels. Many male Dr's are not sure what to do with women and their 'problems'

If you know you have low levels then take some liquid iron, they work faster than tablets and don't have many of the side effects that tablets have.

Never feel you shouldn't get a second oponion. You know your body better than anyone and know how it behaves. Sadly, some Dr's think you know nothing about your body so don't listen to you and your concerns.

[Novella]

Personally I would go to the same clinic if its convenient for you, I have got a second opinion at the same place without any problems. Go in and tell them the story say you have been previously and would like further testing done before seeing a specialist.

There are many, many reasons for anaemia and a number of blood tests are the usual way to start investigating. Low iron intake can be the problem, low b12 can contribute, if you have a recent history of heavy menstural bleeding. A faecal stool sample is often the first test to check for gastro intestinal bleeding. There are so many different reasons for a low haemaglobin and your GP can order a number of tests to try and narrow down the cause.

Hope you feel better soon

[Trillian]

Just thinking further on this, it could be a gut problem, but more along the lines of an absorption issue as opposed to a bleeding gut issue.

[Lenny]

Thanks everyone, appreciate your advice and experiences.

I had my blood tested at the donor centre. About 10 times! They were very persistent, but we kept getting low numbers. The dr today did send me for another BT, but gave me the gastro referral as well.

I have decided to wait for those results in a day or two and book for a different dr at the same clinic. A female, JIC. The guy today did ask me if my periods were heavier than normal. I explained that they were always heavy, no heavier than normal ...for me. But I'll stress to the next dr that my period is bad, but that it's been 5 years of pg and bf so things might just be getting back to 'normal', well my normal, whatever that means. I'll suggest that i would prefer a visit to a gyno before a gastro and see what she says.

[Lenny]

Wow. I just did some reading (thanks Dr google) and my period is REALLY heavy. I didn't realise that 80mls just on day 1 was a lot. LOL. Perhaps i'll cut the dr some slack. I didn't give him the full picture. But then to be fair, he didn't really ask either. How was i meant to know what is considered normal and what isn't?

I am NOT going to see a gastroenterologist. Not yet anyway

[Beach Mama]

A bit different to getting a second opinion but I didn't like a Dr at one clinic and saw a different one and was SO glad I did! He became our family dr for about 3 years before we moved away and it was a bit too far to travel to so I would think it would be ok to go to the same clinic if you needed to.

[Mother Goose]

Ive sort a second opinion within the same clinic before after a Dr not only misdiagnosed but provided us with extremely poor advice and bedside manner. When we returned I mentioned it to the Dr and the first one got a boot up the bum.

[onthefly]

Sounds like you know what to do! That is very heavy


Just btw, the gut thing is a newish diagnosis, I think, so maybe he read a paper on it recently? My FIL had to have some holes plugged in his gut after some examinations following a collapse and several blood transfusions due to unexplained internal blood loss.

[AliBaby]

Ive sort a second opinion within the same clinic before after a Dr not only misdiagnosed but provided us with extremely poor advice and bedside manner.

I had the same thing happen to me last week. My usual doctor was away on holidays so I saw another one at the clinic who was awful to me and said I just had a cold. I went back to another doctor the next day at the clinic as I have never been 'that sick' with just a cold. I had a test for Influenza A which came back positive.

Glad you got your second opinion. It is so important to have a trusting relationship with your doctor and if something doesnt seem right then it is best to find someone else.

[Tegam]

New clinic.

2nd opinion saved my life with my ectopic. First GP congratulated me on my pregnancy!!! Right sided pain with bright red bleeding.... Dr you are an idiot!

[Lenny]

I went back today. Same clinic, different doctor.
Initially i thought i'd made a mistake as she started off with "it's the gold standard, he's done the right thing, he's trying to rule out the important thing first blah blah" Actually she must have said 'gold standard' 4 times.
But then she relaxed a bit and opened her ears and decided that i needed an iron supplement, try a milk free diet (i was unaware how detrimental cows milk is to iron absorbtion), lemon juice and salt (weird), and some hormone related blood tests, and of course an ultrasound and a referral to a Gyn.

Still think i should have the gastro referral and scopes, but admitted i should probably wait until all the other stuff is investigated!

[Trillian]

THat sounds like a better outcome, but the gold standard thing would have been weird LOL. So do you feel better about things after this appointment now? It seems to make more sense logically to do it this way.