What does it take?

clairc

...to get an appointment with a consultant???

(Mini rant warning!)

Last time I went to the doctors with my Reactive Arthritis flare up the doc refused to refer me to a rheumy, I got upset in the waiting room and the practice manager managed to find a consultant who would see me. I got a letter with an appointment, 8.30am 31st August. Woo hoo! Unfortunately things never go so smoothly for me.

I just had a phonecall this afternoon from the rheumy deptartment. The consultant has read my referral letter and cancelled my appointment. He thinks I'm better off being seen at City Hospital instead of the NHS Treatment Centre in Nottingham and has written a letter to my GP.

I was a bit shocked by this and annoyed because I had to make lots of arrangements to keep this appointment. My husband was paranoid that there was something dodgy in my referral letter (written by the doc who didn't want me to see anybody) so I phoned the practice manager. The referral letter seemed ok (a couple of minor things wrong but no biggies) so now I'm a bit worried about who am going to see now and how long it will take. My CFS diagnosis was mentioned a couple of times in the referral letter so I hope he doesn't think I'm a time wasting hypochondriac.

Clair

dorcas

Oh Clair...after all you've been through, if anyone has a right to rant then it's you. :roll:

Could you not phone the consultant's secretary and ask who he's referred you to at City Hospital? at least then you would know which department he's sending you to. :?: :?

....and please forget the 'will they think I'm a time wasting hypochondriac' ; you're not and don't let anyone make you feel that way.

wish I had a magic wand to change things for you Clair.

soothing (((hugs)))

Iris xxxx

barbara12

Hi Clair
You have every right to ring them up and ask why you are being referred and how long, because you are suffering.
I have just had my first rheumy appointment after nearly a year, because they kept cancelling, it only lasted 12 minutes, I felt a real fraud, but then I got angry, and had my say.
Please dont think you are a fraud, the amount of times I hear this on this forum makes me so mad.
I hope you get some resolve very soon, let us know how you get on.
Love
Barbara xx

frogmorton

OH Clair

The others have given you good advice - chase it - however you want to just chase it. who are you now due to see?? It may be that this person is more of an expert than the one you were originally referred to.

As for feeling like a hypochondriac :shock: I reckon that's 90% of us on here even those with good clear diagnoses :roll:

I wish that could be changed, but to be honest I can't see it happaning. It is partly us - coming from within and that huge fear that no-one will beleive us and help us even though there is something so wrong and we know it.

Please keep your chin up lovely and let us know the new date??

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

He must have a good reason to refer you to another hospital, and you need to know what that reason is. Hopefully it's because there is someone there who knows more about your type of arthritis, in which case that's only a good thing. I had nine years without a diagnosis - the docs routinely ignored my complaints for four years and I, the fool, thought they knew what they were doing. Five years after that they made up their minds about what was wrong. I know better now. Chase, chase and chase again. You are not making this up, you are not a hypochondriac. If you are still frustrated by delays then investigate the cost of a private consultation - in my area they cost £80, but that is without any tests. That does bump up the price. I wish you well. DD

carola

Hi Clair

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason ESPECIALLY the things that seem like a pile of tat therefore I am hoping that the person you actually get to see will be someone with indepth knowledge and will be a great help to you.

You are right to question and follow up. Keep doing so. I always find following up telephone calls with letters helps as 'they' cannot ignore the letter as it is a written record.

Keep positive and good luck.
Carol

julie47

HI Claire
I hope you get things sorted soon. Anxiety makes you feel worse, you don't need it. Arthritis is enough to cope with.
Keep smiling
love julie x

clairc

Thanks for the messages of support.

i'm afraid I haven't been able to do any chasing. I did ask the person on the phone who I'd been referred to but she didn't know. Last night I came down with a horrible flu/virus/infection thing and spent the night with chills one minute and feeling feverish the next. My Personal Assistant (who helps me out with my 3 kids) called the doctor for me this morning. She came at lunch time, prescribed antibiotics and told me to go to A&E if i don't get any better. My husband was worried it was drug withdrawl because I've been tapering off the gabapentin and tramadol but I think it may be a virus as he's feeling very poorly today too.

I'd just like to know which god I've offended because someone really seems to have it in for me at the moment! LOL!

Clair

dorcas

Hi clair,

sorry to hear both you and your hubby have come down with a virus....on top of everything else :? :roll: no wonder you feel that 'somebody's' got it in for you.

rest up ...drink plenty...and hopefully it will run it's course without you having to go through A&E! hope your PA can help out with the kids while you get well again?

any contact chasing can wait until you're up to it.

take care,

(((hugs)))

iris xx

marion1952

Hi Clair

Just what you don't need!!

Hope you feel better in the next day or so..

Marion x