Okehampton Medical Centre

Jarisch-Herxheimer

Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction - the name is relatively new to me, but the condition has been plaguing me for years I now know - a reaction within your body to the toxins caused by the die-off, of, in my case, untreated (except for my own self-care with anti-fungal, still taking it) invasive Candida - oh I sought help, for years, just didn't get any. You would think all GPs would have a very curious nature, surely you have to have, delving into their science in search of answers, but it simply isn't like that is it, all the clues were there for anyone to see, even compiled for them, now along with a positive private antibody blood test. The most enthused GP I have ever met (with the exception of some very good young women at Okehampton), was almost falling over himself to help - to help himself that is - I had just paid him for a private HGV medical at the practice, and was about to leave, when he was almost falling over himself to get a sheet of paper on which he wrote his contact details, so that I could give them to any of my work colleagues that might want a private medical for a HGV - he said "If they cannot get to my home, I can come to them," at a cost of course - this is the same guy that told me in no uncertain terms, "I will not come out to you!" when I joined the practice, as I was outside 'his area,' indeed, did not attend a friend of ours who had sepsis, and she died - he may have been able to help her. Off work for the last few days (ill for 6 to date), feeling awful, as per-usual with this reaction, similar to having the flu - I now know the cause of these periodic bouts of illness that have cost me so much - work, reputation, financially. Still waiting for an NHS referral to happen - you really wouldn't think this condition requires urgent care - ho hum, I am still here, trying hard, working hard, caring, and trying to find some care. A little humility from some of the GPs at Okehampton (and elsewhere), some professionalism and respect for the patient, a bit of homework and study - even I do that, I need to be good at my job as well you know - and this whole sorry situation would never have developed as it has been allowed to. The improvement in my condition when I take fluconazole is clear, yet it seems unable as yet to clear the infection - just saying. My name is David C. I once reported someone for lying to the GP/DWP about their condition - they got away with it for thirty five years I think it was - DWP wrote and told them about my letter, I was confronted by a man that I thought was going to beat the **** out of me, son or not, and yet I am honest with the GPs, and struggle to find help - I am not alone, just listen to the news, but how very strange!

Just to clarify.

Just to clarify: private blood antibody test (the best I could afford to do at the time £200), not in and of itself conclusive of current infection, but coupled with the overwhelming clinical evidence of infection, a helpful and important confirmation of either past infection, or chronic ongoing infection, ongoing infection is 'painfully' - to me anyway - b****y obvious. 126u/ml is a positive test. Kidney pain for 4/5 months, difficulty urinating, stinking urine, worsening painful rash, headache back right lobe, earache, pink phlegm, endless wheeze, terrible dry cough, feeling ill and so exhausted - after taking my own blood sample for the private blood test, I went back onto Fluconazole anti fungal, sourced myself via eBay - thank goodness for them! Looked up the correct dose for help with my urine/bladder/kidneys taking 450mg daily for 21days, continued for longer, and will now be continued again for as long as necessary. Hyphae have been numerous in all sources, urine, saliva, phlegm, skin, hair, and still grows profusely on agar from all samples including blood - venipuncture - 30 colonies growing nicely. After 21 days of treatment, hyphae no-longer visible in a saliva sample, wheeze all but gone to date, cough almost gone, urinating normally, no foul smell, no kidney/flank pain, no pain in my skin followed by shedding, which can be so very painful and unsightly. These symptoms return when I stop the drugs, so I shall continue!

Update.

So, I have had back the results of a private blood test - antibody test for Candida Albicans. Make of it what you will GPs ( I know, "All normal") IgA - 13. IgM - 20 IgG - 126. This, alongside all the evidence you have been given of clinical symptoms, must surely mean something. Please use my full name. David Cole, I have nothing to hide.

Why did it all become such a struggle?!

For many years now, the pharmacy has been my first port of call, before taking up the time of the GPs, and the pharmacy I use have been extremely helpful, and knowledgeable - they really have shown that they know their stuff when it comes to the condition I am struggling with - their initial concern, when I showed them the samples I had cultured, was that the GPs were failing to understand and identify the condition, as it is considered rare in a person like myself - outwardly well to look at - indeed, they offered to treat me with the correct drugs, and monitor my health, but said they need the GPs to initiate the treatment - they recognized the condition, whilst the GPs were making wild guesses, and still refusing to test - NICE says they should have been testing - and they recognized the potential seriousness of the condition - the GPs I spoke to really didn't have the foggiest - hyphae were apparently hair, the eyes could apparently not be affected by invasive Candida - look it up, don't take my word for it! I mentioned to the GPs the help and advice that I had had from the pharmacy, including being sent to Exeter A & E to try and get help, as the potential seriousness of the condition really is, well, sever, and needs timely identification and treatment if I am to fare well - A & E just told me off for being there, and treated me with no better understanding of the infection than the GPs had - only the pharmacy knew and understood - wow, how can this be? Having said that, the pharmacy once contacted our family to say that "You cannot take those prescribed medicines together," when incompatible medication had been prescribed - so, thank-you for watching out for guys! Anyway, after a soul-destroying appointment with a GP - the curt and rude indifference was simply crushing - I sought the help of the pharmacy again, asking just what I could do to get past the obstacle that the GPs had clearly become, time is of the essence, it really is, and we have so clearly wasted so much time! But things had changed, the helpful, knowledgeable and concerned pharmacist, had suddenly become a GP clone - it was unreal, just as the GPs were saying, nothing to see here, all normal, all to be expected - my word, how can this happen? Had the GPs leant on the pharmacy, like a Mafia Capo might lean on a community - could this really be happening? I was stunned! Only suggestion the pharmacy had now was for me to pay £1,000 for a private blood test to test all aspects of my health. Anyway, I decided to write to Exeter University, and sent an SD card of photographs, as they work with the GPs to train new GPs, I also wrote to the R D & E, Dermatology, along with an SD card, who asked me to ask the GPs to refer me - that was promised, but has not yet happened, I have no idea if it will, as all that I have asked say they cannot see that a referral has been made. So, as things have got worse, I am now taking Fluconazole for the third time - thank goodness for ebay, hey, honestly, without being able to access these drugs, I would be in a much worse place - at a dose promoted for the treatment of invasive candidiasis of the kidneys, as I have had flank discomfort for a few months now, urine filled with candida bud, sudohyphae, ad septate hyphae for many months now - around two years now since I became aware of what appears to be taking place - possible fungus ball, and I am damned if I am going ruin my health waiting for the Okehampton GPs to get their act together, that may never happen, and I am sick of it! 450mg a day, for 14 days, I have completed that today, and will decide what route to follow next. Saliva once loaded with hyphae and bud, now almost clear of hyphae - yesterday 1am in the morning, I will keep testing and looking for improvement - all this is taking so much of my time, and I shouldn't even have to be doing it! I worked out roughly what the cost of this ridiculous battle with GPs has cost me over the years, and it is now around £16,000. Hyphae all over my skin/rash, still have a wheeze, a few weeks ago pink phlegm, sats 92 - 95, a little breathless, coughing on agar grows hyphae, indeed hyphae can seen immediately on the agar, so already formed. I used to vomit in my sleep, and breath it in, it caused aspiration pneumonia twice, and is known to introduce candida infection into the lungs - GPs have been told, but have never ever made anything of it - Devon Doctors did though! I feel invisible to the GPs, unwelcomed and unwanted, a b****y nuisance, when all I have done is to try and help them help me. Candida, I guess, growing nicely in the blood sample - serious stuff medical science says - I feel like a b****y experiment. Why can I not fight this infection off? who knows, but I have some interesting looking cells in my blood, what they are, I do not know. Ten or more years ago now, the FCN, and a loving family member saved my life I think it is fair to say, when others I sought for help, sat on their hands and did nothing, though lies and gossip have plagued my life ever since, and since that day when I, was attacked, I have never been able to get fair treatment from many GPs - suckers, don't believe everything you are told, you might just discover you are being played. Does it not say in the hippocratic oath that you will do no harm? Epic fail there then. They promised a referral, I hope their word counts for something.

Dangerous place.

Back on the Fluconazole again now, trying to help myself (save my kidneys) as no-one else seems to want to, things getting worse, still able to grow Candida I presume in blood samples - goes without saying everything else is growing just fine and dandy, but now skin samples showing hyphae just twenty four hours after collection on agar - that is new - rash spreading on face, as is bio-film. Organizing a private blood test for Candida now, as no-one from Okehampton ever offered one, a positive test and I will take legal action for medical negligence and harm. Another member of my family would perhaps - hopefully, but who knows - benefit from seeing the GPs, but she has been witness to how I have been treated, so although I offer to take her, she won't go - what a bl***y mess!

Online booking system works really well

The Okehampton Medical Centre's online services function effectively and the team members have been pleasant during my visits. I've consistently received responses to reported health concerns on the same day I've submitted them. When managing skin condition flare-ups, I've found the medical staff to be helpful, supportive and reassuring. Thank you all.

Helpful staff made the visit pleasant

Consistently demonstrated helpfulness and courtesy throughout my interactions.

A soul destroying struggle - now broken.

An alarming and dangerous struggle for good clinical care, for no other reason than their own shortcomings - they do not know enough, but are very quick to mock and belittle the patient.

Unwanted referrals made without my agreement

I am very dissatisfied with how my healthcare has been managed. Referrals have been arranged without my knowledge or consent, despite my clear objections. I am being asked to attend multiple appointments each week that appear unnecessary and unhelpful, even though I have explained that I cannot afford the frequent visits to the practice. The approach taken to my care is significantly impacting my wellbeing, and it feels as though the focus is on completing administrative procedures rather than considering my actual needs and circumstances.

Repeat prescriptions contain frequent unwanted medication errors

This practice seems to issue far more medication than necessary with no cost to patients. My repeat prescriptions arrive monthly with frequent discrepancies in what is supplied. It raises questions about NHS spending efficiency. I receive extra boxes of items I use alongside boxes of medications I haven't needed for years, and some I've never used at all. The surplus keeps accumulating at home to the point where I wonder about its monetary value. I do attempt to return unused items when collecting prescriptions, understanding they cannot be accepted later due to disposal requirements, but time constraints mean this doesn't always happen and my stockpile continues to grow. The stock management system appears to lack adequate oversight.

Family care with friendly receptionists and staff

Our family has consistently experienced excellent care at Okehampton Medical Centre. The clinical and administrative staff have been outstanding throughout our visits. We are very grateful for the service provided.

Phone callback took too long to arrange appointment

Contacted the surgery regarding concerns that a recently increased medication was causing significant adverse effects. A member of the clinical team advised discontinuing the medication and indicated an appointment would be arranged to review the prescription. Despite this assurance, no appointment materialised. Approximately a month later, received notification of removal from an appointment list, despite never having received a confirmed appointment in the first place. The practice appears to be experiencing ongoing difficulties with appointment availability, with wait times extending to several weeks or months. Continuity of care with a regular practitioner is not consistently available. Additionally, the current system for prescription renewals and appointment booking presents considerable challenges, particularly for older patients navigating these processes. The level of service falls short of expectations.

Helpful staff, though locum quality varies

The entire team has been pleasant and easy to work with. My experiences with the medical practitioners have been mixed, with a couple of temporary staff members being somewhat inconsistent, though I recently saw a younger male clinician who was outstanding. I hope he continues with the practice.

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

The reception team displayed unhelpful attitudes and appeared to make judgements beyond their scope, which was disappointing. The initial assessment process also seemed to lack thoroughness in reviewing the information provided. This pattern of poor service at the front desk has been a recurring issue across multiple visits. Fortunately, some of the clinical team members have been more supportive and considerate, but the initial experience when arriving at the practice is generally unsatisfactory and needs improvement.

Waited long after being told a false story

I checked in on time using the automated system and waited approximately thirty minutes. When I inquired about the delay, I was told that the scheduled clinician was unavailable and that the practice had attempted to contact me earlier in the morning. I did not receive any such call or message notification. Upon checking my phone and voicemail, I found no record of any attempt to reach me. I was eventually offered an alternative appointment, though this required a further wait of around thirty minutes. I found it frustrating that the practice did not seem to account for the fact that patients have other commitments and time constraints. The situation was made more difficult by what appeared to be inaccurate information provided about the contact attempt, which made it challenging to remain composed given the overall experience of delays and miscommunication.

Friendly staff made us feel genuinely supported

We are very pleased with the team at this medical centre. Based on our extensive background and international exposure, we found the quality of all staff members, across both administrative and clinical roles, to be friendly, engaging, and genuinely proactive in addressing our healthcare needs.

Long wait despite arriving on time for appointment

Our appointment was scheduled for mid-morning and we arrived promptly, yet we waited considerably longer than expected to be seen. We noticed that several patients who arrived after us were called in by clinical staff and had completed their visits before we were invited through. This left us puzzled about the reasons for the apparent delay in our case. We have attended various healthcare facilities in the region on multiple occasions and have not previously experienced this kind of situation. While we recognise the efforts of all staff involved, we felt this particular experience was out of the ordinary and worth noting.

Quick callback despite system outage

I appreciate the assistance I received when I attempted to access the online appointment system this afternoon, only to find it was unavailable. Upon contacting the practice by phone, I was called back promptly and invited to attend for an assessment. I was seen by a friendly member of the nursing team shortly after arriving, and the entire staff were accommodating and attentive throughout my visit, despite the practice clearly being under considerable pressure.

Long waits and broken promises left me frustrated

Have been refused treatment yet again. This time it appears to be because they only manage a particular type of condition. I mentioned I was experiencing difficulties with my hearing and vision, and was told something could be provided for these issues and to attend an appointment. When I arrived, I waited considerably before being seen and was then informed that no treatment would be offered. This felt misleading given the earlier conversation, and my time was wasted. If it is feasible to seek care elsewhere, I would recommend doing so, as this represents a recurring pattern over several years where I have felt the care provided has been inadequate, resulting in hospital admissions. What I believed to be a serious health concern was not taken seriously at the time. Following a recent diagnosis, I was advised to book an appointment the next day. The only available slot was several days later, which I attended. I then received a phone call from someone I had not previously spoken to, who indicated it was regarding mental health support. I was confused by this, as what I needed was assistance understanding my new diagnosis and how to manage it, given my lack of knowledge in this area. When I expressed serious concern about my health and mentioned I felt unwell due to my condition being poorly controlled, the call ended abruptly after I was told I was being aggressive.

Friendly staff made me feel genuinely valued

I'm puzzled by the negative feedback this practice receives. My own experiences have consistently been excellent. The clinical team and support staff have been outstanding. They consistently demonstrate professionalism, compassion and expertise. I'm genuinely appreciative of the care provided.