Last minute panic/ nerves

2»

Comments

  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Not guilty DD ..

    Marion
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rachel

    Only just caught up with your thread and I can't tell you how sorry I am that you had such a nightmare appointment today and that you still feel you are no nearer a diagnosis. But hopefully the tests you have had today will give a much clearer picture of what it going on. In terms of the original blood tests - if they were originally done 10 weeks ago, they are probably not relevant now anyway - certainly my early blood tests showed little in the way of inflammation, even when I was really struggling with all my joints. It wasn't until later on that the blood test results seemed to "catch up" with what was actually happening. I thought Iris's idea of having more bloods done at the GP just before your follow up appointment was a good one because the will then have some really recent results for comparison.

    In terms of practical advice - speaking from experience I would recommend that, if you haven't been given an actual date for a follow up appointment, you phone the hospital in a couple of weeks to chase if you haven't received one. Also, having turned up to appointments many times only to find that the results were not back/not available, I would recommend that you phone the hospital a week before your appointment to check that all the results are back and have actually reached your file. That way, at least you will know before you go that the consultant will have all the relevant information in front of him.

    Meantime, hopefully you have a supportive GP, who can advise you on effective pain relief to help you to manage for the next 6 weeks. And, as Marion says, maybe your GP can actually help you speed things up with the hospital.


    Sorry too that you are having work hassle on top of everything else.

    Thinking of you.

    Love Tilly x
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well I had some sleep, and was hoping to feel better about yesterday but still fuming. Although thanks to you lot I don;t feel like I am being completely mad about the situation.

    One thing that dawned on me while walking the mutt was, they took my bloods again yesterday, and it will be 6 weeks until I see the consultant again, so will they be of any use to him? I am not sure how long it takes to run the tests. I know my GP gets them back in 5 days so thinking when I get my appointment for the bone scan and I phone his secretary I better ask her if I need to get another blood test done closer to my review.

    I am not sure they can do much to expedite the bone scan, I know last time I had one, I was in the machine for the best part of an hour, so there are only so many patients they can get through in a day. That and Cancer patients need them and they are hot on getting cancer treatment times down. My GP couldn't even get my 9 week wait down to see the consultant. I will just have to sit, and wait and keep pestering the appointments line.

    I have got go back and see my GP anyway about controlling the pain, I either need something less noxious than codeine so that I can still work, one 30/500Mg co codamol isn't enough, and two whacks me out. Or I need some way of being signed off when things are bad.

    Ho Hum, well its Friday and its a three day weekend, I hope you all enjoy it.


    Rach
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    enjoy your weekend rest when you can val
    val
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rach,

    Its not right! They did the basics so I guess that's something and maybe when all the tests are in they will be able to help you more. The hospital blood tests are much better then gp's can do and fingers crossed something will turn up so they will actually help.

    I wonder if talking to your gp would help? Its sadly common for the first appointments to be not so good but then the results come in and it gets better appointment wise. That doesn't help you I know.

    I really hope you will get some help and maybe when he write to your gp you could see what he is suggesting and if necessary ask for a second opinion? I also wouldn't do it on line flower..... phone calls are more effective here. You take care and sorry I have been no help. Cris x
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well thats me fallen at the first hurdle, went to make an appointment to see the GP I have been seeing for all of this and he has no free appointments available at the moment, please call again on Monday, and they can give me an on the day appointment with the duty doctor.

    I explained the situation, and the receptionist said "sorry, I can only make appointments to see a specific doctor for a fortnights time, so the earliest you can see him is the 10th September." "Fine, I will do that then". "Oh no, there aren't any appointments free with doctor xxx until the 16th"

    Are all health practices run like this? I am writing a stern letter to the practice manager asking what the best route is for ongoing conditions and the need for consistency of care. I have seen the duty doctor before when I had a flare up and even she said I think you would be better off seeing your usual doctor so he can see you in this condition. Do I just keep booking appointments with the duty doctor in the hope it will be the one I need to see?

    Rant over, and breath

    :D
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    H Rach

    The frustration is continuing for you !!!

    Yes, my GP practice has that same system - and in a recent patient survey at the Practice that was the one thing that all the patients complained about... it's absolutely crazy..

    I would, indeed, contact the Practice Manager and explain the situation.. perhaps she could get the specific GP to phone you?? That has happened to me on a couple of occasions (ie - my preferred GP has called me back and given me advice).

    Please keep posting ... we are all learning from your experiences Rach!!

    Marion
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well today brought a silver living to the grey cloud of last week, I already have a date for my Bone scan, only have to wait until the 7th, and it clearly says results will take 14 days to come back, so book your follow up appointment 14 days after your scan date. Only a few days, but at least I have some dates to work around. :)

    Add to hat the damp weather has abated for at least a day its not such a ad day, hope you are all finding a little happiness today.

    Rach

Categories