A 52-year-old woman attends your practice 20 to 30 times a year with headaches, bloating, dizziness and aching…

Question

A 52-year-old woman attends your practice 20 to 30 times a year with headaches, bloating, dizziness and aching limbs that she says rule her days. She has had two computed tomography scans of the head, three abdominal ultrasounds and a gastroscopy, all normal, and has seen four specialists. She remains convinced something has been missed. She telephones for a same-day appointment whenever a symptom flares, and is angry when told to wait. Which one of the following is the most appropriate way to s…

Accepted Answer

Set fixed appointments at regular intervals

Answer

Explain the symptoms have no physical cause

Answer

Refer her to a new gastroenterologist

Answer

Repeat the investigations to reassure her

Answer

See her only when new symptoms arise

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