[Jordy]

I've had serious thyroid issues for more than 10 years now, but never treated it like I should have. Part of it was my hating my body so much that I simply didn't care, the other part was not really trusting my GP. He's known me since I was a baby, and knows my whole family... so takes confidentiality very loosely. I was fine with him giving my mom my repeat prescriptions for my thyroid issues.

But last time I went to see him (2,5 years ago) I asked for help with my depression and mentionned I might have BPD. That didn't go over well at all and he really made a big deal on how an awful diagnosis that it and that I couldn't have it because borderliners don't see their problems, it's always family members bringing them in. Well my family doesn't care and yes I'm aware of some of my symptoms. So he put me on Prozac and that was it. A months later my mom comes home from the GP, looks quite p***ed and gives me a repeat prescrition for prozac... Great! Well I have never been back but now I realize my body can't handle my untreated thyroid issues anymore.

I really don't know what to do... going back to this GP even though I don't trust him anymore. And he doesn't even know I've been diagnosed with BPD and in treatment for two years now. Or trying a different one, but being scared to say I have BPD. All I want to is to be treated respectfully for my thyroid issues and leave the mental health issues to my Pdoc.

I've already asked my Pdoc for recommendations, but the only one she could give me is an 1 hour drive. Don't really want to have to drive this far when I'm sick.

[lynn808]

I am having similar problems with my primary care doc. I never told him of my psyche issues. But over the past years he has said things that make me doubt him. I am looking for new doctor now... In fact have called 3 doctors and waiting for return calls to try to set up an apt/interview with them as soon as possible. Had MRI on my back last month and still have no results or referral because I have no primary doc...Yes, it is frustrating, but I will work my way out of this too. Good luck. Yes, you must feel comfortable and be able to trust your doc....

GP's are not qualified enough to diagnose a disorder like this. If anything they should have referred you for an assessment and gone from there. I personally wouldn't trust a doctor who doesn't take confidentiality seriously or talk about a personality disorder like that. We are all too aware of our problems and don't need doctors like that compounding our frustration. I'm sorry they put you through that and i would definitely encourage seeking someone else. I've had some terrible GP's over the years - one recently got sacked he was so incompetent. I really do wish you all the best, health practitioners can be such hard work.

Truth is if you go for thyroid, that's what he needs to treat, if he tries to bring up the prozac again, he needs to be told to take it up with your primary doctor for such issues, it's not his place to go over the head of your pdoc and dx or prescribe anything without his consultation with him. Period.

[Jordy]

Thanks for your advice, I really think I need to find another GP, especially as one of the symptoms with my thyroid problems is depression. So kind of difficult to completely separate both issues.
Just found a young GP who just opened his practice in my neighborhood, and wondering if I should try him out. What would you do? Simply make an appt? Call him first and ask how he feels about people with BPD? or have my Pdoc contacting him first? Though I doubt she would do it...

[technigal]

Originally Posted by Jordy

Thanks for your advice, I really think I need to find another GP, especially as one of the symptoms with my thyroid problems is depression. So kind of difficult to completely separate both issues.
Just found a young GP who just opened his practice in my neighborhood, and wondering if I should try him out. What would you do? Simply make an appt? Call him first and ask how he feels about people with BPD? or have my Pdoc contacting him first? Though I doubt she would do it...

I would call and make an appointment. The BPD will come up with your medical history but you can tell them you are being treated for BPD with your pdoc. I have found young doctors to be great, they are up to date on treatments and tend to be more understanding with mental health issues.

[Jordy]

that's what I was thinking too. Will try it sometime when I'm doing a bit better than now

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm having a similar issue. My GP does not like anything to do with mental health. I asked her to test my hormone levels and she refuse and referred me to the OB/GYN. My OB/GYN was more than happy to do the blood test, and thankfully she did. It came back that my adrenal gland and prolactin levels are high.

After doing some research on why those hormones might be high, I figured out the probable cause: the pituitary microadenoma that was discovered 8(!) yrs ago. My GP already knew about this!!! And after reading about the symptoms of this adenoma, I figure out that ALL my physical/mental health issues (minus the BPD) might be cause by this. Yeah...I'll probably be looking for a new GP really soon....she has one more chance to help me with something else.

It's probably extremely important to treat your thyroid problem. My dog actually has hypothyroidism and since giving her medication, she has totally changed. She's happier, losing weight, growing hair, has more energy. I know, dog vs. human is different...but there's a lot of commonality. You'll probably feel better once you start treating it.

[Jordy]

I realize I really should treat it! My metabolism is so low I'm always hungry, tired... not motivated to do anything because I have no energy... my joints keep hurting. And I still can't find the courage to go

[lynn808]

I am trying to believe this new doctor will be there to help me when my old doctor didn't. Keep us posted on your new doctor search!!! Sending positive vibes your way.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Jordy

Thanks for your advice, I really think I need to find another GP, especially as one of the symptoms with my thyroid problems is depression. So kind of difficult to completely separate both issues.
Just found a young GP who just opened his practice in my neighborhood, and wondering if I should try him out. What would you do? Simply make an appt? Call him first and ask how he feels about people with BPD? or have my Pdoc contacting him first? Though I doubt she would do it...

Asking what he thinks of peopel with BPD should not even be a factor to consider, it's not his place to judge or worry about such things until you bring it up to them so if your goal is your thyroid, and not your mental health issues it need not be part of your interviewing this doc.

i would make an appointment and see how he is.

[Themeanreds]

Originally Posted by Jordy

Thanks for your advice, I really think I need to find another GP, especially as one of the symptoms with my thyroid problems is depression. So kind of difficult to completely separate both issues.
Just found a young GP who just opened his practice in my neighborhood, and wondering if I should try him out. What would you do? Simply make an appt? Call him first and ask how he feels about people with BPD? or have my Pdoc contacting him first? Though I doubt she would do it...

My thought is to make an appointment with him, and only discuss your thyroid problems. You have a pdoc for the other issues. A good GP will know that thyroid problems present mood related issues. He does not need to know any further information, as it is not essential to your treatment. Lots of people take prozac for various reasons, and even if you share the fact that you have taken it in the past, others do not need to know why. They will just assume it was for depression, a very, very common MH issue.

Good luck. I think it sounds like you are making tremendous progress by dealing with the MH issues and following up with the physical health issues.

[Jordy]

I can see your point, but I wouldn't feel comfortable not telling him my MH history. I'm a victim of CSA and something as simple as having him touch me in certain ways could already be very triggering. And with certain ways I mean for example holding my wrist even in a gentle way. So nothing that would under normal circumstances be considered inappropriate. I also have some visible scars on my forearm, so he'll know there's something up anyway. I know I don't have to tell, but I want to and make sure I'm in good hands for all aspects of my health.

Next will be finding a non judging dentist... that quest will be quite interesting!

And yes, I agree I've made a lot of progress over the last two years. Much more than I would ever have thought possible!