I'm being ignored

controversial

I really feel I am being ignored by the entire health service.

My GP is nice enough, but I can't reach him. I last saw him a month and a bit ago, when he referred me to the hospital and argued so much I got a next day appointment. But the hospital did nothing, just sent me home, pretty much, telling me the fibro was now diagnosed and that I was too young for most treatments and to try to do what I can. He did give me lots of tramadol etc.

I can't get back to my GP, you have to phone at 8am for an appointment, by 10am they are all gone. No advanced bookings are taken...fair enough, but I can't sleep any earlier then 6am, and by then I'm too exhausted to stay awake to phone them.

I emailed the primary care trust, who passed my email to a rheumy nurse, who I explained everything too. No reply, its been almost two weeks.

No one seems to believe how bad this is...I can hardly walk most days, and spend all day feeling rubbish sat on my bed. I don't know what to do...with no family to back me up and OH being stressed enough already, I feel stuck and completely ignored

skezier

Hi Controversial,

its just not fair but i think most of us feel it at times. i know i did for at lease 15 years but then i got lucky, got a good rumo and was sent to the pain clinic and they have helped me ever since.

I was wondering have you been to see the pain clinic people? When they are good they really can help and if you haven't maybe its an idea for you to try? I think they understand pain so much better than doctors do but I am lucky and the ones I see are good. I have a lot of nerve pain and for that I have pregabalin and I know that it can be used for fibro as well so maybe you could ask you gp about that or the gabapentin?

I hope it can be sorted and you feel a lot better soon. Sending you a ((( ))) and a hope. Cris

elnafinn

Hi Controversial,

I am sorry to read your posting. Unfortunately we do have to fight quite often to get seen by the medics and they will not come and find us. That is for sure. Fair enough, that you are not able to make an appointment with your gp because of the ridiculous appointments system in your area but couldn't your oh call on your behalf?

Good for you for emailing your primary trust. They obviously contacted you because you are aware your email was passed on to a rheumi nurse. If you have had no reply in 2 weeks, I am afraid it is unfortunately time for you to chase this up and ask the question, why you have not been contacted. There are various reasons why this may be, one of them human error. Your request may have got lost in the system which is often the case. This needs to be addressed.

Being referred to a pain clinic is a good idea - they have helped many people on here including myself, big time. Why not write to your gp asking him to refer you if you cannot get to see him or leave a message at your surgery for him to call you. Surely gps in your surgery call their patients if a message is left with them to do so.

I do hope that you feel strong enough to do some chasing up because it is obvious that you do need help.

Luv
Elna x

dolittle

Oh, how I know just how you feel! Don't leave it to them to contact you .... keep on beating the table and (quietly but firmly) demanding to be heard. I say quietly because I have found that the other way doesn't work - they seem to switch their ears off! Keep on and on until you get a result - it's tiresome, but it's worth it.

I patiently waited, month after month, year after year, because I thought they knew best and my 'condition' has suffered for it. I think they take the 'demanders' out of the queue for attention and leave those who don't 'make waves' in it!

Sending you a bit of strength and some ((()))s to help you get the help you need. Good luck
Dolittle

theresa4

I have to admit that if it was me I would have found another GP service by now. without the support of my GP I would never have got so far. I was with one of those GPs with a dodgy service it didnt suit my lifestyle then it would have been useless to me now so Im glad I changed before I started with RA. You could ask to speak to the practice manager and explain your situation to them and see if they can make special arrangements for you. If they cant accommodate your needs then you need to think are they the right doctor service for you!

You need to get the GP issue sorted out so they can back you up on getting you seen by a specialist. In the meantime type up all the problems and difficulties you have on a day to day basis regardless of how embarrassing you might think they are. Get an appointment and give it to the GP to read so they can uinderstand just how bad things are. As much as I talk to my GP about most things he didnt realise how bad things were til I gave him a sheet with everything on it for my ESA claim. NOw I update them every so often it helps me as I can see whats inmproved stayed the same or got worse so I can give my rheumy a clearer picture.
Sorry this post is a bit long :roll: think I got on my soap box this morning!!

hugs (((())))

Theresa x

valval

your gp not giving you the care you need we can speak to ours on the phone if need to . ask for them to send gp out think they might find you an appointment they must keep some for emergancys but do not let things slide you need help not just pain meds good luck keep phoning do not take no for an answer

rosyred

oh im so sorry ur feeling this way ..

All i can say is keep fighting i no its hard as i felt like this the 1st yr, but now getting somewhere..

Please dont give up go back to ur doc tell them what ur feeling and that u sit on ur bed all day... if u can see a nicer doc then do so... i changed my doc because the one i was with was a cow bag... putting it mild...lol

Big hugs Alli xx

frogmorton

OMG!!
I can't bleive yo're being treated this badly :shock:
This is terrible - our Gps do that kind of thing too but that's ok for me -the kids get me up
You seem proactive enough with your emailing and contacting rheumy nurse.
What I dont undertsand is why no response.
Have the others suggested PALs???
Here we also have a walkin clinic anyone can go to.
I hope you get sorted very soon
Love
Toni xx