Where do I go from here?

silverbreak

Hi everyone just a question really I guess like most that I've put up with the symptoms of OA for many years without 'bothering' my GP but recently almost in despair/frustration I have seen my GP. To cut a long story short - on both occasions GP has said he'd refer me to Consultant but again on both occasions back comes a letter saying blah blah blah -'we cant see you but have 6 appts. with a manual therapist'. Now that is ok but I wondered if anyone with OA (spine) gets to see a consultant. I realise there is little they can do it's just I get the impression that the condition is not 'sexy' enough to warrant a consultants time.
I had X-rays 3 years ago and was told the usual 'wear and tear' line by rather patronising GP. Sorry rant over.

Extract from Arthritis Care booklet
Act – if you are in pain, instigate a discussion at your
next appointment with your GP.

dreamdaisy

Oh poor you, how frustrating. I think, tho, you have hit the nail on the head: there isn't much they can offer. That, however, does not mean that you shouldn't be seen by a consultant, it would be a chance for you to discuss your condition with an 'informed' person, who may be able to offer a fresh take on how you manage your OA. Soldiering on isn't always the answer, neither is seeing a specialist, but accept their offer of a 'manual therapist' (physio?), you never know that might help in some way, and repeat your request on a regular basis - hopefully they will respond more positively. I wish you well. DD

dorcas

Hi SS

Was it the ortho consultant out patients that wrote back suggesting the 'therapy' sessions first?
perhaps this is part of how they manage their waiting list and if therapy helps/ doesn't help it gives the consultant a clearer picture of how the OA is affecting you?

It can't do you any harm to take up the offer of the sessions...and it might also give you another route to seeing the consultant as their opinion is bound to have a bit of credibility with the orthos and can maybe refer you on?

It is frustrating for you SS :roll:

I hope you do get to see a consultant after the therapy.

Iris x

frogmorton

Hiya

Sorry you feel so ignored

I had the same with my back for YEARS and had back sugery finally in the end.

You could see an orthopediatric consultant to see if anything can be done? Why not?

However in our area we do have to do the physio first unfortunately.

Suggest you do the physio then go back to docs with support and ask for a esecond opinion - referral - MRI? they can see better what's occurring inside backs...

Love

Toni xx

silverbreak

frogmorton wrote:

Suggest you do the physio then go back to docs with support and ask for a esecond opinion - referral - MRI? they can see better what's occurring inside backs...

:roll:
Hi yep thanks for support. When I was 20 I broke my spine in an accident and luckily they were able to fuse the upper part but unluckily it was always odds on that I'd reap the rewards for years to come ie OA. Its mostly the lumbar spine giving me the most grief and I suppose I'm just looking for an expert to evaluate/sympathise.
It's the 'Clinical Assessment Service' that has assessed my condition
(clever without even seeing me) and recommended a manual therapist (second time - obviously didn't cure me the first time) Although the physio admitted there was little she could do and she suggested I see a consultant hence my revisiting GP. So round and round we go. :roll:

dreamdaisy

Yup, the arthrtis merry-go-round is a ride we're all familiar with and would happily live without. There are a few of them: 'the meds' roundabout (trying to find the combination that works best for oneself), 'the flares roundabout' (that's a jerky ride, really stop-start, but mostly start I think) and the 'seeing the docs' roundabout, the slowest one of all. They all interlink, and one can start off on one and find oneself on another without realising it! DD