My GP needs a good shanking!

[Cheesecake]

So I mustered up the courage to go see my GP today to get a referral for a gyno because this backwards idiotic country where everyone has insurance has you go through your GP for everything and guess what. The effing asshole is not giving me a referral. "If you're ovulating, a gyno can't do anything for you anyways" was his first answer. And then he added his condescending assholish logic of: "Besides, 80 percent of couples get pregnant within 1 year, even 90 percent in 2 years, so why would anyone want to see a gynaecologist before those 2 years are up."

Uhm yeah, the Dutch stupid 'it takes 1 year' logic is based on people NOT charting and NOT timing sex. That's why the additional 10 percent get pregnant that 2nd year because that's when doctors suggest you start doing that in NL.

What an asshole!

I'm googling ways to get myself into a gyno office wihtout a referral now. I'm so friggin mad! What an ass!

[nk]

That sucks! Is there another doctor you can talk to there? Can you lie and tell them it has been 2 years? (yea...my morals are awesome!)

On another note - have you always lived in Amsterdam or are you there for work/DHs work?

[sunflower22]

Oh I would be so pissed! And not to be sexist, but of course a man would just brush it off! I'm w nk, I'd be back in there with another reason why I need to see a gyn. Do you ever have pain or anything? Cramps? Lol maybe that would get you in?

How old are you? I know 6 months is frustrating, but Drs do say you shouldn't be concerned unless you've TTC for a year if you're under 35. You obviously know yourself best, but don't worry too much!

[HoneySpider]

I am mad for you! WTF. I am of the belief that if you have concerns and want to see a doctor, you should be able to. Doesn't matter how long you've been trying, or what is or is not going on of whatever. I'm so sorry.

[thoseareradishes]

That's a bummer, NL. Any way you can see a different GP?

[potatopie]

What an a-hole!

I thought about that when TCOYF says if it hasn't happened in 4-6 months then go see a doc. I wondered what the doctor would say, especially if they don't really know much about charting/temping.

I'm with nk, tell him it's been two years.

[Cheesecake]

I just called the hospital gyno department and they confirmed they need a referral letter, but the lady on the phone was very nice and did plan an appointment for me on Nov 2nd. She said that would give me time to either find a different GP (you can't *just* see another GP, that means you actually need to completely change GP's, which is a hassle) or get mine to give me the referral.

I also made another appointment with my GP for next Wednesday, as it's a shared practice and I know the other doctor will be seeing patients that morning, so who knows if he can be convinced to give me the damn piece of paper.

To answer questions, I'm 33, but with medical issues so I need to get pregnant soon or just give up on the idea of having children. If I have to try for 2 years before even looking at anything, I might as well just stop trying now. DH is 42, so it's not like we really want to wait and see for a long time. Also, I have the feeling there might be something up and I'd rather just know.

And yes, I've always lived here, spent a lot of time in the US, my family is all kinds of weird/International, but yeah, we're in Amsterdam (or NL at least) permanently.

[nk]

Oct 8, 2012 9:11:08 GMT -5 Cheesecake said:

I just called the hospital gyno department and they confirmed they need a referral letter, but the lady on the phone was very nice and did plan an appointment for me on Nov 2nd. She said that would give me time to either find a different GP (you can't *just* see another GP, that means you actually need to completely change GP's, which is a hassle) or get mine to give me the referral.

I also made another appointment with my GP for next Wednesday, as it's a shared practice and I know the other doctor will be seeing patients that morning, so who knows if he can be convinced to give me the damn piece of paper.

To answer questions, I'm 33, but with medical issues so I need to get pregnant soon or just give up on the idea of having children. If I have to try for 2 years before even looking at anything, I might as well just stop trying now. DH is 42, so it's not like we really want to wait and see for a long time. Also, I have the feeling there might be something up and I'd rather just know. And yes, I've always lived here, spent a lot of time in the US, my family is all kinds of weird/International, but yeah, we're in Amsterdam (or NL at least) permanently.

Based on that - I would plead my case to the other Dr next week. Cry, sob whatever...lie -tell them you were off BCPs for a year and have been charting for another year.

I was off BCPs for 8 mths and went to see the RE against the advice of my Gyno & GP. Turns out I had a uterine septum & a cyst the size of an apple on my left ovary. Surgery was required for both. I'm very happy I fought & possibly looked like a crazy person but went with my gut that something wasn't right.

[winecheery]

Oh I'd be livid. Don't tell me what the hell's going on with MY body mister man!

I think he's missing the key phrases "charting" and "well-timed sex" which according to my doc, means if you're unsuccessful at that point, you can get help at 6 months.

Of course, she's a girl. In America. Who wants me pregnant as much as I do.

DEMAND what you deserve in this case. It's bullshit. Is healthcare free over there?

ETA: Oh yes, yes they do. I re-read the op

[horseoutside]

Oct 8, 2012 10:02:52 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

Wait, what? What are you supposed to do for a Pap smear?!

Your GP does them.

[countthestars]

Boo! That stinks!

[Cheesecake]

Yep, GP does paps - once every 5 years. We have a form of universal healthcare. It isn't completely free, like I think it is in the UK, but it is very affordable. I pay 125 a month for insurance and my max out of pocket co-pay a year is 200. No matter what they do. For my kidneys they've flown in doctors from other countries for me, I got literally the best care in the world (they videotaped my surgeries and those tapes are used around the world to teach about this condition) and I didn't have to pay a penny.
The downside however is that they want to avoid people to just go take up hospital time and effort for a simple cold or a bump or bruise, so you can only get to specialists with a referral from your GP. It does make some kind of sense, as GPs can do a lot for less money and really get to know people so they know that Mrs. Crazycakes is always convinced she's got a brain tumor when she has a headache on a Tuesday. But for normal, hardworking, non-bored, sane adults it really is annoying as it's another hoop to jump through and as happened today, sometimes they just don't take your issues seriously.

The other doc, Wednesday, is a guy too, but I've had more luck with him in getting referrals before. He knows I'll keep coming back and whine to get one when I've decided I need one. He also knows that I don't come in that often and only when I have serious concerns.

Will keep you all updated. While before this appointment I wasn't sure about whether I wanted to see a doc, now I'm livid and am going to fight and do whatever it takes to see one.

[Deleted]

I just responded in your other post that it can take a year to get pregnant. Sorry! But, yeah, that is so frustrating.

[mandapanda18]

Are you sure you need a referal? In California (not sure if it is state realted), you do not need a referral to go to an OBGYN or Dermatolgist.... they are both considered self-referral specialists.

[Cheesecake]

In the Netherlands you do need a referral, unfortunately. And yep, I called the hospital to see if I could get out of that since I'm already a registered patient at that hospital, but nope, they can't see me without the referral.

[mandapanda18]

that sucks.... it is pretty weird to me that we as individuals can't take charge of our own health!

[purpleme]

Omg...what an ass!
I'd be pissed too!