Recommend an GP in Sydney or Newcastle

[justD]

Hi peeps.

I've basically disappeared off the forum and from cycling alltogether as I've been sick this whole year.

I need a recommendation for a good GP in Sydney or Newcastle. I'm in Newcastle, but happy to travel through to Sydney to get some progress on my problems. Any recommendations for a GP who'll show an interest in your problems and not just try to get you out the door as quickly as possible will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dirk

[sogood]

These days even GPs sub-specialise. So you really need to start with you first. Further, the issues you had with your prior GP/s may have a significant bearing on the choice of a new GP.

[newie]

I have found that Clara Jiminez-Balcells at Kotara Family Practice seems very personable and shows a genuine interest in your health. I can't comment on her expertise in different areas. They don't bulk bill and you will need a double appointment for the first vist and run the gauntlet of discussions and health checks with the nurses first.

[justD]

Thanks for that Newie,

I think that's mostly what I'm looking for, someone to show a bit of interest, not just try to get you out of the door as quickly as possible.

In the meantime I've paid for an online doctor to listen to my symptoms and after going through questions about all the same stuff that I've been tested for over the last 8-9 months, he seems to think my thyroid may be my problem as my TSH readings have ranged from 2.94 to 7.2

I'll have my thyroid checked out, but I'll also phone for an appointment at Kotara.

[trailgumby]

May or may not be relevant, but thought I'd toss it in as an alternate way of looking at the issue:

I tend to favour sports medicos over regular GPs. The reason is they are used to dealing with healthy, highly motivated people and therefore have higher standards of health and function to which they will aim to restore you.... "near enough is good enough" is not something you will hear as often.

[reags]

I find my GP to be excellent as he actually takes the time to explain every single thing with both medical and layman's terms, though probably impractical for you living in Newcastle as I'm in North-west Sydney (Hills district)...unless you make trips out this way often?

[justD]

Thanks people,

I'll have a go at that Kotara medical centre, but if they don't take new people then I might PM you reags. The problem in Newcastle is finding a good GP who's books aren't closed. Most of the good ones don't seem to take on new clients.

[NBSE2]

old thread, but for what it is worth GPs are beholden to the Pharmaceautical industry. I would suggest a wholistic medical centre. As always the best medical advice is a second opinion. I can recommend a centre. Should you require please PM.

[nutsack]

old thread, but for what it is worth GPs are beholden to the Pharmaceautical industry. I would suggest a wholistic medical centre. As always the best medical advice is a second opinion. I can recommend a centre. Should you require please PM.

Do they slap your back with salmon or barramundi? It's also spelt holistic, which I assume you also mean naturopathic judging by your comment about the pharmaceutical industry.

Good luck with that.

[Crittski]

old thread, but for what it is worth GPs are beholden to the Pharmaceautical industry. I would suggest a wholistic medical centre. As always the best medical advice is a second opinion. I can recommend a centre. Should you require please PM.

hmmm, so best advice is the second opinion? Then why don't you just go to the second guy then? Good thing that you only think that GPs are "beholden to the Pharmaceutical industry" or I might have been offended. You might think that I am beholden to God seeing how I work for a hospital operated by a church...

Thanks for posting your bias though, makes all your other posts make so much more sense now.

[justD]

Thanks for all the suggestions people, I'm actually doing pretty well at the moment.

I went to see a gastroenterologist. Firstly he found some thickening of the colon wall on CT scan film which had been taken back in June. All these GPs and the radiologist that I'd been complaining about had all looked at those same films and assured me that there was nothing. The one that I thought was a pretty knowledgeable GP even refused to send me to a gastroenterologist. Anyway, went for a colonoscopy and the gastroenterologist said there's nothing serious like cancer in my colon, but there is a bit of inflamation where the colon wall had thickened. He put me on antibiotics, which I'm on the second last day of today.

In the meantime I got married...
My wife and 4 of her (our) 8 kids are gluten intolerant and she's very aware of food allergies and the likes. She's put me on a low-allergy diet (whatever you want to call that) and at this stage I feel 100%! I'm back to cycling every day, haven't had any of the symptoms (other than the tightness in my left side) in about 2 months.

I have also moved to New Zealand to be with my wife and she'd got a GP that she's been with for years and who she trusts, so went next I need a GP, I'll give this one a try.

[NBSE2]

old thread, but for what it is worth GPs are beholden to the Pharmaceautical industry. I would suggest a wholistic medical centre. As always the best medical advice is a second opinion. I can recommend a centre. Should you require please PM.

hmmm, so best advice is the second opinion? Then why don't you just go to the second guy then? Good thing that you only think that GPs are "beholden to the Pharmaceutical industry" or I might have been offended. You might think that I am beholden to God seeing how I work for a hospital operated by a church...

Thanks for posting your bias though, makes all your other posts make so much more sense now.

You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Why dont you do the rest of the forum a favour and do your research before making silly comments. Wholistic medical centres have GPs who think beyond the square. Differing professional opinions - read Lance Armstrongs book its not about the bike - can you read?

[Crittski]

Lol, i hope you never get really sick...

[NBSE2]

Lol, i hope you never get really sick...

your nothing but a demon. right back at yah!