Medical opinions?

[gbnz]

What's the best, or only way to obtain an independent medical opinion?

Our beloved NHS, told me 15 years to stop cycling, because it could be dangerous (NB. To me) As I've pointed out to them as recently as last month, I've done well over 50000 miles since their advice, without having had an issue

But what's the best way to get a medical opinion from AN Other who isn't a NHS timeserver (Nb. Suppose the last option is a legal approach!)

[pjclinch]

An "independent medical opinion" is simply one opinion backed by some sort of medical qualification, nothing more, nothing less.

Our beloved NHS is made up of a lot of disparate individuals who sometimes have different opinions. So your best way of getting another opinion is to ask someone else. You can ask someone else in the NHS or go private, but the latter will cost a lot more, and they'll have gone through the same training on which they'll base their opinions.

Depending on what your issue is, I guess you'd have a fair chance of finding a different train of thought via self-help and support groups of other sufferers.

Pete.

[mjr]

Yes, support groups and topical charities usually have pretty good ideas which medics are more reasonable, in my experience.

I've found that taking my folding bike into consultations is a reasonable test of attitudes

[thirdcrank]

My experience is very similar in that it's coming up to the fifteenth anniversary of my being diagnosed with angina. When I tried to explain the symptoms to my GP - a pain in the chest climbing hills - I illustrated with reference to a local road (Tong Road in Farnley for anybody with local knowledge) and he simply couldn't come to terms with the idea of somebody my age cycling up that hill: he assumed that I was talking about walking up pushing my bike. I think incredulous might be the word. Those with local knowledge will know it hardly qualifies for the description "climb."

I'd not describe him as a time server. On the contrary, he was our GP for many years before he retired and he was one of the most conscientious and caring people I've ever met.

If you are prepared to pay and shop around, I fancy you will get a specialist who will tell you what they think you want to hear. Identifying somebody with the right advice is probably a tad harder, but they must exist.

[Vorpal]

If your employer still want you around, perhpas they could arrange something on behalf of the company?

I have worked for several firms that have medical staff, including a GP at one of them. I used the company GP once for a second opinion.

Even if they don't have medical staff, they may have an arrangement with a private GP for examining people for fitness to work, transitioning back to work after an illness or incident, etc.

[gbnz]

Yes, support groups and topical charities usually have pretty good ideas which medics are more reasonable, in my experience.

I've found that taking my folding bike into consultations is a reasonable test of attitudes

Thanks, it's true I've been meaning to review info from support groups, but have failed to do so to date. Definately worth a try (Though I haven't got a folder!)

[mjr]

Thanks, it's true I've been meaning to review info from support groups, but have failed to do so to date.

You may well find that some of them have forums like this (but with more specific knowledge about the illness and less about cycling...)

[gbnz]

[quote="thirdcrank"]

[gbnz]

Hi

[gbnz]

HI

[531colin]

......….The problem now is that the &^%$£^& have driven me out of employment, .......

How, exactly, have they driven you out of employment?

[Cunobelin]

This is a generic reply ... NOT personal

The NHS has a system in place for second opinions

The problem can often be though that people want "their opinion and diagnosis'"and may not get that from a second, Hird or fourth opinion. I have had staff shouted at because the patient "Knew" what their problem was and we failed to prove it. Trying to explain that a diagnostic test simply gives the uptake in an organ, we cannot alter the way an organ works, nor do we "fake" the results to undermine the patient