Hi all,
Interesting to read all the entries in this site. I'm also in the position of just having found out that my 'weird' body shape is actually a condition: it's kind of a relief but also a bit of a shock. It explains a lot about my bad self-image and low self-confidence - and although it's good to hear that others have experienced the same thing, now that I've found out more about it I'm thinking about it all the time and have become even more conscious of it!
Anyway - I really want to talk to a specialist about it, so am preparing now for a visit to my GP. I'm concerned that a lot of people have said that GPs will often dismiss the condition: but I know it's had and is having a huge (negative) impact on my life and I really want to do something about it. It was my GP that first told me I had PE when I visited recently about something unrelated - so I guess that's a good start.
So I have a few questions for people who have discussed it with GPs and have been referred to a specialist:
- What should I tell my GP? Are the physchological impacts of the condition enough to warrant being referred to a specialist, or do I need to discuss a physical health problem? Thing is I'm not sure whether it IS giving me a health problem: but it can't be good for us, surely, especially if it might get worse.
- I'm in London - are there any good specialists that I should suggest I get referred to?
- Is the NHS likely to cover any operations - or is that only in severe cases?
- If I have to go private, how much is this likely to cost?
Thanks in advance for any replies - any information will be useful at this stage.
Regards,
Phillip
Interesting to read all the entries in this site. I'm also in the position of just having found out that my 'weird' body shape is actually a condition: it's kind of a relief but also a bit of a shock. It explains a lot about my bad self-image and low self-confidence - and although it's good to hear that others have experienced the same thing, now that I've found out more about it I'm thinking about it all the time and have become even more conscious of it!
Anyway - I really want to talk to a specialist about it, so am preparing now for a visit to my GP. I'm concerned that a lot of people have said that GPs will often dismiss the condition: but I know it's had and is having a huge (negative) impact on my life and I really want to do something about it. It was my GP that first told me I had PE when I visited recently about something unrelated - so I guess that's a good start.
So I have a few questions for people who have discussed it with GPs and have been referred to a specialist:
- What should I tell my GP? Are the physchological impacts of the condition enough to warrant being referred to a specialist, or do I need to discuss a physical health problem? Thing is I'm not sure whether it IS giving me a health problem: but it can't be good for us, surely, especially if it might get worse.
- I'm in London - are there any good specialists that I should suggest I get referred to?
- Is the NHS likely to cover any operations - or is that only in severe cases?
- If I have to go private, how much is this likely to cost?
Thanks in advance for any replies - any information will be useful at this stage.
Regards,
Phillip
