So, Martin, you've been referred to me by your GP and I've got your notes here. But first of all, perhaps you could tell me in your own words what's brought you here today.
Well, it's a combination of things, really. I suspect they're all . I've been getting really bad heartburn. It's quite extreme and always worse after I've . And something else I've noticed is that I sometimes get bile in my mouth which tastes revolting and it probably makes my breath . It's absolutely disgusting. I seem to be belching and burping a lot too. And I'm full of or water or something. I feel bloated virtually all the time. On top of that, it often hurts when I'm . Something's not right and it doesn't seem to be improving or going away. We are quite the . I can't get comfortable when I'm lying down, so it's affecting my too.
Any other symptoms like diarrhea or sickness?
No, nothing like that.
And have you been taking anything?
Well, I popped down to the local pharmacy and they gave me an , so I've been taking that. I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. I've also made a really big effort to cut down on my consumption. I don't really know if that's going to help or not. And I find that going for a after dinner helps. That way I don't feel quite so bad when I go to bed.
Well, it sounds like you've done the right thing in coming to see me. You do seem quite concerned.
Well, I am worried. I mean, what if it's an or something. I would absolutely hate that. I can't stand the thought of not being able to properly. I love going out to eat in restaurants. And that would be the end of that, wouldn't it? Not only that, but I don't want to lose a lot of and get thin. I've always been quite fit and strong and the last thing I want is to go all looking. And then there's my job. I work on a and I don't want to have to ask my colleagues to do things for me or depend on them for anything. I'm a , so I can't afford to take time off if I'm ill. Yeah, taking time off work would be a big problem for me.
From what you've said, I don't think it'll come to that.
Could you look into it, though? I mean, do some tests? I reckon that'll give us a as to what's going on. I'm just worried I might need to have . That'd be awful. I'd really hate that.
Okay, well, I think we're getting ahead of ourselves, bit. Could you just talk me through any major illnesses or accidents you've had in the past?
Well, there's not much to report. When I was small, I had a whooping cough. Then I went travelling around central Asia four years ago and managed to get a bug. Some thing. And the only other thing was last year, I was helping my friend move house. I slipped a . I felt my back go when we were picking up a heavy .
Right. And one last question before I take a look at you about medication. Where are you with that?
Well, I'm still on the blood pressure tablets my GP gave me . The Ramipril. That's the only medicine that I'm actually prescribed. Otherwise, I do tend to take a fair amount of because of the work I do. I get a very sore knee because I'm often working on all fours on pretty . That's about it as far as medication is concerned, though.
Okay, well, thank you for all that background. That's really useful. What we need to do now is..
