Frustated!

songbird

I've asked my GP twice for a referral to see a consultant only to be told I don't need one. According to Xrays he ordered last October I have "wear and tear" - how I hate that term, but it's all he ever says, like I haven't the brains to understand anything more "medical" - in my lumbar spine and right knee. I've been seeing a wonderful chiropractor for a year now, and he does help, but his xrays show OA in both hips - I've seen them for myself, and, as an ex-nurse I know a little about xrays. My GP refuses to acknowledge non-NHS xrays and insists the pain in my hip is referred pain from my spine. I really would like a specialist opinion but, other than going private, what can I do? I'm a pensioner and don't see why I should have to use my savings for something I'm entitled to, ie a second opinion.

I'd be very interested to hear your views on this. The whole business really gets me down. Like nobody cares.

Wonkylegs

songbird wrote:

I've asked my GP twice for a referral to see a consultant only to be told I don't need one. According to Xrays he ordered last October I have "wear and tear" - how I hate that term, but it's all he ever says, like I haven't the brains to understand anything more "medical" - in my lumbar spine and right knee. I've been seeing a wonderful chiropractor for a year now, and he does help, but his xrays show OA in both hips - I've seen them for myself, and, as an ex-nurse I know a little about xrays. My GP refuses to acknowledge non-NHS xrays and insists the pain in my hip is referred pain from my spine. I really would like a specialist opinion but, other than going private, what can I do? I'm a pensioner and don't see why I should have to use my savings for something I'm entitled to, ie a second opinion.

I'd be very interested to hear your views on this. The whole business really gets me down. Like nobody cares.

HI Songbird (love the name )

sorry to hear that you are having trouble getting your proper diagnosis.

Unfortunately it seems that the people with OA on here tend not to be seen by a specialist and that rheumatologists seem to be reserved for those of us with RA

However, if you feel that you are getting worse, or different symptoms are being noticed, it doesn't seem unreasonable for you to ask to see someone about your symptoms.

Have you thought of ringing the helpline for their thoughts and advice? (number at the top of this page) they will have helped others in your situation and may have some suggestions.

hopefully someone with mainly OA will come along soon and help you.

wonky xxx

elnafinn

Hi Songbird

Could you not see another gp in your surgery and have a chat with them? Even try and find out if there is a gp who is "knowledgeable about arthritis". Quite a few gps have their own "medical baby" that they are interested in.

Just a thought

Luv
Elna x

dreamdaisy

I have learned through reading the forums (and elna told me!) that GPs deal with OA because it is different in its source to PA and RA. If you think that your symptoms are differing to how they used to be then another opinion may well be the answer. These things are hard to diagnose, I had nine years before they settled on something for me. It does take time, and yes, it is frustrating. I sympathise. Dreamdaisy

songbird

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Songbird

Could you not see another gp in your surgery and have a chat with them? Even try and find out if there is a gp who is "knowledgeable about arthritis". Quite a few gps have their own "medical baby" that they are interested in.

Just a thought

Luv
Elna x

Hi Elnafinn

I've seen all the doctors in the practice and as soon as you say "back pain" they all seem to just switch off. Thanks anyway.

Songbird x

songbird

dreamdaisy wrote:

I have learned through reading the forums (and elna told me!) that GPs deal with OA because it is different in its source to PA and RA. If you think that your symptoms are differing to how they used to be then another opinion may well be the answer. These things are hard to diagnose, I had nine years before they settled on something for me. It does take time, and yes, it is frustrating. I sympathise. Dreamdaisy

Hi Dreamdaisy

I agree with you from what I've read in the forums this seems to be the case. I've suffered from back and hip pain for 13 years and it was my chiropractor who finally explained everything to me last year. But I've got so bad now that I can only manage to walk a few yards with crutches. Any further and I have to use a wheelchair. I have severe clinical depression and dread the future. Surely it's not too much to expect an expert opinion. Sorry to be so miserable - I was told I could have a good moan here if I wanted!!

Songbird xx

dreamdaisy

You can, that's why we're here. Like you, I'm on crutches, I can go for all of three minutes then I need a nice sit-down. I do think that some doctors do 'shut off', they know that one thing is wrong, then they attribute everything else to that one thing.

Write to the practice manager, stating that you feel ignored, dis-regarded, that not one doctor at the practice has had the courtesy to consider your trouble. cc it to your local PCT. Complaints do not go down well, and it may result in some action. Unfortunately, we all often end up in a position where WE the AFFLICTED ONES have to do the chasing because the able-bodied cannot be bothered to deal with us properly. They make their decisions and stick to them, regardless of what anyone might say.

I let things go for three years in the early stages of my problems and I bitterly regret that now. I began with a fat left knee in 1997 and everyone I saw told me it would go away. By October 2006 a diagnosis of PA (Psoriatic Arhtritis) was made. Nine years of wondering and waiting, only five years of drug treatments none of which have really worked - yes, I wanted a miracle, didn't get one 'cos they don't exist! - and I am now not the person I was or want to be. Tough, DD, just get on with it.

If you look back thro this forum you will see it again and again - no-one listens, no-one is bothered, no-one cares. We listen, we bother, we care. The trouble is, we're not doctors. DD

speedalong

Hi Songbird and welcome,

some GPs are useless at understanding OA aren't they (I'm starting to have evil thoughts and wish that these non-understanding individuals end up with a bit of wear and tear themselves.) I think you need to keep going back to the GP and complaining about the pain you are in, the magic words often are, "the pain is keeping me awake and I can't sleep ..." and then they start to take you more seriously ...
You need a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who will be able to order and interpret his own x rays ...

As Elna says, you could try a different GP in the practice ... This worked when S was suffering from dreadful tummy pains ... after being there every few weeks we finally saw a fab GP who sent him for an x ray - which identified severe constipation ... despite all the other GP's listening to me saying his was constipated, feeling his tummy and saying he was fine ... I have digressed, sorry!! Be persistent, keep going back ... as if you haven't enough to contend with...

Speedy

carola

Hi Songbird

I echo what DreamDaisy says - put your concerns down in writing and cc others in.

Good luck!
Carol

carola

Silverbreak has just posted an OA post - have a look

frogmorton

Hi Songbird

You do sound to be being neglected and a good moan is fine on here - any time

Did you reply to Elna's post about pain releif?

Could you ask for a referral to a pain clinic??

Hope you get somewhere soon. Oh yes do you take someone with you to the docs to back you up?

LOve

Toni xx

songbird

Hi Speedy

Thanks for the welcome. I have those evil thoughts too!! It's so hard to keep pushing. If only they would treat us in a holistic way. The pain and lack of mobility affects us all mentally and emotionally too, but they don't seem to see the connection. If it wasn't for the pain I would be more active which would help with depression, weight gain and high blood pressure that they're also treating me for. All I can do is keep at them.

Songbird x

speedalong wrote:

Hi Songbird and welcome,

some GPs are useless at understanding OA aren't they (I'm starting to have evil thoughts and wish that these non-understanding individuals end up with a bit of wear and tear themselves.) I think you need to keep going back to the GP and complaining about the pain you are in, the magic words often are, "the pain is keeping me awake and I can't sleep ..." and then they start to take you more seriously ...
You need a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who will be able to order and interpret his own x rays ...

As Elna says, you could try a different GP in the practice ... This worked when S was suffering from dreadful tummy pains ... after being there every few weeks we finally saw a fab GP who sent him for an x ray - which identified severe constipation ... despite all the other GP's listening to me saying his was constipated, feeling his tummy and saying he was fine ... I have digressed, sorry!! Be persistent, keep going back ... as if you haven't enough to contend with...

Speedy

songbird

Hi Toni

That's a good idea - to ask for a referral to the pain clinic - I'll keep that in mind. As for taking someone with me, I'll have to think about that because I have no family and live alone, so I'd have to ask a friend.

Thanks for the advice - you've given me food for thought.

Songbird x

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Songbird

You do sound to be being neglected and a good moan is fine on here - any time

Did you reply to Elna's post about pain releif?

Could you ask for a referral to a pain clinic??

Hope you get somewhere soon. Oh yes do you take someone with you to the docs to back you up?

LOve

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Songbird,

I have to say I agree with the others BUT....

I wouldn't bother to write I think I would try and find another practice first.....

I have oa in the back, neck, feet and hips, and found gp's are very bad at helping. If you asked for a referral to the pain clinic that might help. Pain clinics could them refer you to an ortho?

To be honest if its possible I would change doctors.....

Its all wrong they leave oa in the hands of gp's really. I know in my backs case it was bad by the time I saw a consultant and my neck was ignored by gp's for 10 years so now its too far gone to operate! You do need to be seen and I honestly think the pain clinic could be the way in.

I hope you can get it sorted and sending a ((( ))) and so many hopped. Cris x

frogmorton

songbird wrote:

Hi Toni

That's a good idea - to ask for a referral to the pain clinic - I'll keep that in mind. As for taking someone with me, I'll have to think about that because I have no family and live alone, so I'd have to ask a friend.

Thanks for the advice - you've given me food for thought.

Songbird x

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Songbird

You do sound to be being neglected and a good moan is fine on here - any time

Did you reply to Elna's post about pain releif?

Could you ask for a referral to a pain clinic??

Hope you get somewhere soon. Oh yes do you take someone with you to the docs to back you up?

LOve

Toni xx

Hi

A friend is fine - it's just they are way nicer when you are not alone and your friend may be able to speak up for you and say it as it is. They will also remember things you might miss.

Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Love Toni xx

dreamdaisy

songbird, frogmorton knows her stuff - listen to her wise counsel and act on it if you can. DD

marion1952

Hello Songbird

So sorry to hear that you have been 'fobbed off' by your GPs.. it sounds like you do need a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon or a pain clinic .. As you say, x-rays DO show up degeneration/ loss of cartilage in your hips and if your GP won't believe it until he has seen in on NHS x-rays then insist on a referral..

Hope your friend can go with you .. you might be able to do the same for her one day perhaps?

Best wishes

marion

hileena111

Hi,
Sorry to hear you are being ignored but its not unusual....I was... for ages.
Firstly it was my back and like you say they are not interested in backs...cant do anything so lets just ignore it. I then got a pain in my hip...never even thought about arthur ..went to the GP after quite a while ...he said lie down....jiggled my leg about and said nothing wrong with you {not quite those words but more or less} this went on for a year or so and I said I want a referral to the hospital {still not knowing} saw a rheumy who did x rays and said it was OA in hips and spine and referred me back to my GP.......He put me on paracetamol and occasionally anti-inflammatories as a back up and that was it for about 7 years until I went to him and said.....I'M FED UP THESE PARACETAMOL ARENT TOUCHING THE PAIN. he then said well what do you want me to do....felt like saying your the blinkin doc...so I said what about a referral to a rheumatologist...he said you have OA they dont deal with that and referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon who x rayed my hips and said....you need 2 new hips!!!!! What a shock....you do need to fight.....and it would help to have a friend with you. Come on and moan anytime you want....and someone suggested ringing the helpline...front page.....thats an idea to see what they say. Also go into "My area" and see if there are any arthritis courses in your area or coming up.....they are excellent...Challengiing arthritis is the 6 week one but there are shorter ones,
Let us know how you get on
Love
Hileena

songbird

Thank you Cris for your kind words of advice.

I tried to change doctors last year and applied to another local practice that was recommended to me. But they turned me down saying that they have a policy of not taking any patients who are already registered with another doctor in the same area. They said they need to keep places available for anyone new moving into the area. This is rubbish because if they took me on there would be a place at my current practice. I found out on the internet that doctors usually have a 'gentleman's agreement' not to take each other's patients.

It seems that patients' rights are ignored, and, in my experience, the practice is run very much for the convenience of the staff, not the patients.

Songbird x


To be honest if its possible I would change doctors.....


I hope you can get it sorted and sending a ((( ))) and so many hopped. Cris x[/quote]

lindalegs

Hi Songbird,

I think the rule of thumb is you're only referred to a Consultant if you need to be prescribed Dmards or other very toxic drugs to control your arthritis. OA isn't treated by Dmards therefore your GP takes control of your prescriptions and treatment.

If I'm wrong then I'm very happy for anyone to correct me.

Luv Legs

hileena111

Hi Legs
I think you are right...like I say the only time i was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon was when I wasn't happy with GP's treatment {or lack of it}....and that appointment ended up withn him saying 2 new hips!!!

Love
Hileena