Doctors really can frighten us sometimes

[Ruthanne]

That's great you are ok. I, too, get worried about my health symptoms,

 

[Babs2u]

. . . . . . I'm still astonished that they actually asked you to make an appointment to see the doctor just to go over your "normal" blood test results! Here, a nurse simply would telephone and say "we have your blood test results and they're fine". Your doctor must have a lot of free time on his hands.

They probably don't charge you for phone calls.

 

[Ruthanne]

They probably don't charge you for phone calls.

Where I go they charge you, they started doing that a few years ago.

 

[That Lady in PA]

They probably don't charge you for phone calls.

Telehealth makes money…. Big time!

 

[RedAlert76]

IMO doctors who owned by outside organization often do that because it creates an excuse for another charge.
Private practice doctors, not so much. I am sure it differs in areas.

 

[January]

Where I go they charge you, they started doing that a few years ago.

Yes here too.

Although nobody has to have a phone consult - if they prefer to come in face to face for repeat scripts, referrals etc ( the sort of things that are often done as phone consults) they are welcome to do so.

 

[Babs2u]

I had a message to say make an appointment to see my GP about some blood test results. That worried me as I've not been feeling well for a long time. Couldn't get the appointment for two weeks.
Meanwhile I looked on my NHS app and saw two results were abnormal. I then did what is not really a good idea, I googled. By the time my appointment arrived I had got myself completely convinced I have a terrible cancer. Every ache, pain and symptom pointed to it.
I couldn't sleep, a dark cloud was now over my head as I imagined untold pain and suffering ahead.

When I finally sat in front of the GP I was prepared to hear the worst. Then he said the very last thing I expected to hear ' your tests came back normal, nothing to worry about'. I had to get him to explain, was he sure? The fact is, though two tests were outside normal boundaries, both the lab and he are trained to look at the whole picture, aspects only experts can evaluate.

I am so relieved, I am ok! Has anyone else here ever googled themselves like this into absolute misery?

I had a heart CT today. The results have already come in. Some things are normal, others are not. I have no idea what any of it means. It might be a better idea if the doctor offered an evaluation before the information was sent out to the patient.

 

[Jules]

I suspect the doctors would prefer if we didn’t get the online test results prior to seeing them. Rather like the sign on their walls about using Dr. Google.

I have an appointment on Monday. Maybe, maybe not, I’ll look at the numbers ahead of time. No point stressing myself about things I don’t understand. Been there, done that.

 

[Happy Heart]

When my test results come back with something a little wonky I research it on the Cleveland Clinic site. My CT scan also came back with things which could be serious but I am opting to only monitor instead of rushing to over medicate, or stress, so I will live my life until I can't.