got my appointment

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caprica
caprica Member Posts: 195
edited 30. Jan 2010, 02:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
A bit of success at last..
Managed to get a first rheumy app for 18th feb on the nhs.

BUT, this was after calling the 'normal' clinic number for weeks and getting fobbed off, and finally today I rang up a gazillion different numbers in the hospital, until I managed to get the direct number of the receptionists who deal with the rheumatology appointments.

Rang them up, explained, and she was like "oh.. well the waiting list is 11 weeks, you'd usually just have to wait for a letter (which i had been doing for over a month now!) but.. I'll see if I can give you an appointment right now..."
And voila, 2 seconds later she found me an open slot and is sending me out a letter.

What a joke. If I hadnt rang around for about an hour (taking time off from MY job which I should've been doing instead of ringing a hospital!) I probably would have been waiting for the full 11 weeks.

I hate 'the system'.

Oh well I'm quite pleased with myself anyway.
Now back to work...

Comments

  • happy_feet
    happy_feet Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Ive been waiting since October and just got my appointment which is for the 8th Feb, and that was with the doctor ringing twice to chase it up. Its just how the waiting lists are.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Good for you Caprica! The system appears to be the "pits" and no one should have to take an hour chasing up telephone numbers and so on.

    It worked for you anyway so no waiting the dreaded 11 weeks.

    Let us know how you go on, hope you are not working too hard today at work!

    You have every right to be feeling pleased with yourself :D

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I am really glad you have got an earlier appointment.The waiting in so much pain is awful.Lets hope things will improve from now on.

    Best wishes
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I'm glad you finally got your appointment. I hate the system. It's often no one's fault, they just can't seem to work together!

    Good luck.
  • caprica
    caprica Member Posts: 195
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    thanks guys :)

    Wendy, have you tried ringing them yourself? I guess you have your appointment now so that's good, but still.. since October? you must have the patience of a saint. I would've gone down there by now and screamed my head off.lol I was actually going to do that tomorrow (the hospital's 3 streets down from my house, which annoyed me even more since I walk past every day!), but luckily for them, I got it sorted on the phone today. I'm a bit mad though so just ignore me..I probably would've ended up being'escorted out' by security.lol

    Yeah I think there's a definite lack of communication. I know they're busy but there's no way it takes over a month to just place someone's name in a calendar. Honestly if I took that long setting up meetings in my office I'd never get anything off the ground!

    I don't mean to sound like I'm ungrateful or blame the individual doctors and nurses. I just think we all pay or have paid taxes and deserve a better service than that and it makes me angry, especially for people who are much worse off than me and would be in too much pain to go down there and get the energy up to argue.

    *and breathe...*
  • karenjane
    karenjane Member Posts: 90
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Caprica - Glad you've got your NHS appointment, well done - I've got mine tomorrow so i'll let you know how i get on - bit scared!

    Whens your private appointment?

    Karen
    x
  • happy_feet
    happy_feet Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Caprica
    I went to the doctors in October, I first went years ago and the doctor did blod tests ut nothing showed up but the pain I had then was different, something Ive had since being a kid and it was always just my knees. I dont know what it is but I always know when its going to rain. Anyway, went back in October with this different pain in my hips, hand and shoulders and a different doc sent me to the hospital for Xrays and blood. When the results came back he reffered me to the specialist and hes rang them twice to chase up the appointment hes been really good. Hes tried me on different painkillers and even rang the specialist when I was there to ask advice on painkillers because he said he didnt want to mask anything until I got to see them. (I dont now why)
    Anyway, the appointment came through a few days ago for next week so not long to wait now.
    Im told the waiting lists are getting longer because there are so many people moving to the UK, rightly or wrongly (Im going to be careful what I say) Its the way things are and its likely to get worse...I never thought of ringing them myself, my friend has, shes waiting for an appointment for her back but shes still not got her appointment yet...
  • caprica
    caprica Member Posts: 195
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    karenjane,
    well my private one was for the 5th feb, so I just cancelled it.
    Try not to worry, I'm a bit worried as well, ive never been to a hospital, but I'm more worried about what's happening to me while i'm not getting treatment, so this is a positive step! Is someone going with you? Are you still getting the sharp pains?

    Wendy, sorry that you've been dealing with pain for such a long time. Did your second set of tests show you have RA then? Your GP does sound like he cares, if he's rang them. Hopefully you'll find it easier from here on, now that you've got a set date, and get treatment soon.
  • happy_feet
    happy_feet Member Posts: 93
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I dont mind the waiting really, Ive been in pain for a while and years ago when the doc did the blood tests and nothing showed up I thought it was nothing and something Id just have to live with, but then I noticed this different pain in my hips and stuff, and the way I was walking I knew something was going on and thats why I went back, and this doctor sent me straight to the hospital. Hes quite young and hes new but Im really impressed with him. To be honest I was just glad when I got the Xrays and they showed damage, it meant I wasnt nuts and the wheels were in motion. The bloods showed a raised Rhuematiod factor, I dont know whats normal but I think mine was 23 or 24. Ive no idea what that means or how high is high? Anyone know this? Anyway, the doc said he thinks its rhuematiod but he says other things can caused raised levels. Myself I think its wear and tear, it seems to have hit the joints that took all the strain when I worked with animals, it was very hard, fast paced and repetative. Im going on now so Ill shut up. Oh that reminds me, my jaw has been hit as well, especially when Im chewing, but thats probably all the yapping I do :D
  • karenjane
    karenjane Member Posts: 90
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Caprica - I've just posted an update - Took my Mum with me today so she could answer all the family history questions. Anyway the rheumy said that i have inflamation in all the joints (cant move my big toe today) so some sort of inflamitory arthritis?.. He said that it could just settle down on its own or develop into something worse, so he's given me diclofenic and i have to go back in 3 months.

    Still getting the sharp pains and everything else! :roll:

    Will just have to see how it goes - He did say if it got worse before my follow up then to contact them and he would see me sooner.

    How about you? still the same symptoms?

    Karen
    xx
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I must admit when I was waiting for appointments for my consultant and then my ops I managed to get his secratary's number and phoned constantly. To the point we were on first name terms.

    When it came to my big op, I had my date but she knew I would go in anytime so when a cancellation came up she called me straight away.

    I was luck and she was very nice and didn't mnd me calling so when I went for my pre-assesment i found the admin wing and went over and introduced myself and gave her a box of chocs for all her help. She was pleasantly surprised.

    Anne
  • caprica
    caprica Member Posts: 195
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    anne,
    yeah what a great idea, I think I'll do the same. Always smart to be on their good side! I'll introduce myself when I go in.

    Karenjane,
    That sucks about the toe, I hope it goes down quickly. So did he not order any tests or xrays? I hope it does really go away for you (and me! and everyone else!). I wonder why he only gave you an NSAID, I thought they were keen these days to start the DMARDS early. But I guess if he's not sure it's chronic then maybe more tests need to be done. Are you happy with the outcome of the appointment?

    I feel relatively well at the moment actually, thanks for asking. I'm in good spirits so that might be helping. It's friday and I'm trying to get my friends to go out and remind myself that im still only 23 lol but yeah, hope the dicofenac helps and you have a nice weekend!
  • karenjane
    karenjane Member Posts: 90
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hi Capricia - I had lots of bloods done at the doctors which didn't show anything so i guess thats why?.. He said he wanted to see what happened over the next few months and i think your right as he's not sure if its cronic or will burn itself out - The other drugs can be quite powerful cant they so i guess he doesn't want to prescribe if its not necessary. He did say to go back earlier if it got worse.

    Yeah, I'm quite pleased with how it went, at least i dont feel like i'm going mad anymore!.. and he did examine all my joints, nack and back as well. will just have to see how it goes over the next couple of months.

    Pleased your feeling upbeat - have a great fun weekend!

    Karen
    x
  • madness1985
    madness1985 Member Posts: 293
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hiya,

    Glad uve managed to get an NHS appointment for next month! I have my rhmmy appointment on 17th feb oh the joys! I hope the appointment goes well xx
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    hi all reading this makes me glad of the area i live in do not think i had to wait a month for my app. the docs sorts it and you get a letter from them and also the hospital confirming it thought every where did it this way lady at docs was not in when i dropped form off so she phoned to find out if first available app. was ok for me then booked it there and then went in begining of oct. then dec, and due back in march . when i read how long lists r it does make me wonder why . i am so glad i had choice of 4 hospitals choose nearest so can walk as doc said they all about the same and can not complain as the tabs he gave me r working so feeling so much better less swelling and pain so all good so far
    val
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