Doctor refuses to believe my symptoms, blood work and disregard’s findings on imaging and labeled me as a hypochondriac.
Need advice because I’m honestly shocked by what happened with my new GP (only my 3rd visit with her). Only went because my regular gp is on maternity leave. I went in because my pelvic floor physical therapist found a knot/lump in my lower abdomen and suggested I may need an ultrasound to rule out a hernia. My doctor examined me, didn’t find one, which is fine, but then documented concerns about illness anxiety/somatic symptoms in my chart.
What upset me is that the note made it sound like all my testing has been normal except fibromyalgia, which isn’t true. I was actually diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis by a doctor within the same hospital system in 2019, and I also have elevated CRP, lumbar spine curvature/LSTV findings, SI joint effusion on MRI, cervical straightening, and diagnosed hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction by a urogynecologist. All of this is in my medical record which she knows.
She specifically mentioned me requesting imaging, but I requested X-rays before seeing rheumatology because I’ve had untreated RA symptoms for years and wanted to make sure there wasn’t already joint damage. She had no problem with this. Most imaging came back okay except lumbar spine findings, which I was honestly relieved about.
She also wrote that I have a “bladder-brain axis disorder,” which I never said. My urinary frequency has been explained by my hypertonic pelvic floor diagnosis, which is why I’m in pelvic floor PT now. My PT also recommended yoga and meditation classes to help relax my muscles/body and improve movement, which I’ve started doing.
The whole thing made me feel like she was framing me as a hypochondriac instead of someone genuinely trying to figure out chronic pain symptoms with documented findings. From the first visit she recommended me see a therapist because I’m so young and in so much pain so it’ll be good to have someone to talk to. I respectfully declined because I’m in a good mental state regardless of my pain & I also don’t have the money to pay for it. Now today she’s saying I need to see a psychiatrist. Have you ever experienced anything like this?
UPDATE:
I called her out and rebutted everything calmly and respectfully.
My GP is officially standing by the F45.21 hypochondriasis diagnosis she added to my chart after only a few visits. She says it was based not just on symptoms/labs, but on “behavioral patterns,” medication concerns, healthcare interactions, and discussions about previous doctors. She even stated that even if I’m later diagnosed with an autoimmune/rheumatologic disease, it would not change the behavioral concerns that led to her assessment.
What upset me most was her mentioning impressions from previous doctors in a way that made me feel like I had already been labeled behind the scenes. The situations with those doctors had legitimate reasons, including one refusing an MRI until I pushed for it to be documented, which later showed cervical straightening explaining my neck pain.
Meanwhile, my current GP never actually had a negative interaction with me. I accepted every recommendation respectfully. She also acknowledged I do have documented findings and ongoing medical issues, but still believes the psychiatric diagnosis fits. I honestly feel defeated that this is now permanently attached to my chart while my workup is still ongoing and now she’s acting like it was mostly based in my behavior, observation, past records and less on significant findings like she stated.