GP help In Central Scotland- FORTH VALLEY

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2007MCG12
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Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:51 pm

by 2007MCG12 on Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:19 pm

GP help In Central Scotland- FORTH VALLEY

Hi there

I am struggling to find a GP in the area that takes this illness seriously and offers any guidance.
I have been told on various occasions by a gp that they do not "believe" M.E exists. I have also been advised at periods of time when I am bedbound, unable to walk to the bathroom, and clearly very unwell that being a "young, healthy and fit person" I should recover from this current virus fine.. fit and healthy is something I have not been for many years. I have been pretty much left to deal with everything on my own and navigate my way through this for the past 7 years.
It is very difficult to know how to communicate with a GP who does not have any knowledge or interest in your situation. And whilst I understand that perhaps they have no training in M.E, to advise a clearly very unwell patient that they do not "believe" it exists is in no way acceptable.
If anyone knows of any clinics in Scotland/ Gp's who have treated them fairly in the Forth Valley can you please comment? I was wondering if it is possible to be referred to an M.E clinic out with your area ie in England or is this not something a GP would consider?

Many Thanks- This forum is a great idea for those who do not have access to services in their area.

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Dr Charles Shepherd
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Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:30 am

by Dr Charles Shepherd on Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:39 pm

Re: GP help In Central Scotland- FORTH VALLEY

There is a full list of NHS hospital based services for people with ME/CFS on the MEA website:

http://www.meassociation.org.uk

Unfortunately, there are very few specialist services in Scotland and we do not keep a list of GPs who are known to be helpful

A good source of advice here would be a local ME group

If there isn't a specialist service available you could try and get a referral to one outside Scotland but the feedback we receive from people in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (where the situation is equally bad) is that is is far from easy

Contact details for all the local ME groups around the UK can also be found on the MEA website
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association

2007MCG12
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:51 pm

by 2007MCG12 on Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:42 pm

Re: GP help In Central Scotland- FORTH VALLEY

Thank you so much for your reply. I shall look into the list and local groups.

Many Thanks

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