Is it possible to nag too much?

scarlettmarie

I have RA in my knees and have had for 20 years, after having a steroid injection into my muscles 3 weeks ago my right hand has bcome extremely stiff and almost impossible to use and as a teacher this is quite difficult. I have rang the hospital several times and have been sent an appointment for january. Well today it almos tbecame unbearable and I am not sure what else I can do, I rang again and left a message. If it worth going to my GP or do I keep pestering the hospital?x

tillytop

Hi Scarlettmarie

I don't think it is ever possible to nag too much! I know it's not right but I do get the feeling sometimes that it really is down to who shouts the loudest.

If it were me I would take a two pronged approach:

I would contact your GP for help and ask him/her to follow up on your behalf AND I would phone the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to the consultant's secretary. I know it doesn't always work but I have, more often than not, found the consultant's secretaries to be very helpful and able to move things forward. You could also tell the secretary that you could accept a cancellation if one becomes available (if this is possible for you) because you might get seen quicker that way.

The only other thing I can think of is to leave a message on the rheumatology helpline number (if your hospital has one) just saying that you need to speak to someone for advice (don't be specific). Hopefully they will come back to you and you can explain the situation to a "real person" and may be able to make some progress that way. If you need a steroid injection in your hand, I can't believe it is reasonable to make you wait until January!!!!!

Really good luck with it.

Love Tilly xx

woodbon

I had an appointment which should have been in August cancelled until December, as I was in pain and waiting for the result of tests before anything was to be done, I rang the consultants sec and she asked me to leave it with her, the next day or so I had an appointment for the next week! I'm now having OT treatment on my worst hand and am on the waiting list for physio on my neck.

Sorry to go on about me, but just to let you know that you can nag and get things brought forward! When I worked as a sec, in a hospital, over 20 years ago. (getting old) :shock: I'm sorry to say that people who keep on ringing and nagging you get seen because its the easy option. I'm not proud of this, but its the way things go. My GP is good at nagging the hospital too and has helped me a few times. Also its helpful to the hospital if they know they can ring and offer you a late cancellation as it saves time being waisted.
I hope you get some help quickly. Love Sue

salamander

I have taken Tilly's approach before now and it works. My rheumy does ring me back and on my mobile so I don't have to sit around waiting at home. Don't wait, you might get some drugs that would help for a start and an early appt.

dreamdaisy

You have to pester. It is your health and life that is being affected, not theirs. I am fortunate in that my hospital has a helpline that I can contact and they will fit me in at the end of morning consultations if required. My GP plays no part in my treatment, whoever I see always prefers to leave it to the hospital as they 'understand these things so much better'. Sounds about right to me. It is different (for the most part) for OAers as GPs are their firslt line of contact. DD

nanasue

Hi Scarlett
I totally agree with Tilly, that is the best advice and the only way to get things done. They always say stupid things like we can give you an appointment in 2-3months time, what good is that if you're in terrible pain, they obviously don't understand how urgent it is. As for saying ring the rheumatology helpline, does anyone have one of these, or they just a fantasy? It would be interesting to know.

Sue x

grampyal

Hi, I think a big fear is that if we make a fuss we could be put to the back of the queue. I, too, have found that a call to the consultants secretary can work wonders. We all know, however, that when dealing with officials the one who takes all her children to the office and rants and screams gets the best attention. Don't think mine would come with me though.
Al

dreamdaisy

Charm works wonders too. Shouting and screaming does achieve a label, and not necessarily a welcome one. I rely (depending on the gender of the person with whom I am dealing) flirtation, humour, interest and manners. All four work, tho a day when one has to employ all four can be challenging. DD

tillytop

Hi nanasue - re the rheumatology helpline - my hospital does have one but I only found out about it by accident fairly recently (have been going to that rheumy dept for many years). It is just an answerphone and they say someone will respond within 2 working days, which is not helpful if you have a meds reaction type query or if you are in a lot of pain. That said, the few times I have used it, someone has come back to me within a few hours and once If got an actual human voice at the end of the phone! Nearly fell of my chair!!! I think most rheumy depts these days do have them but these helplines seem to vary hugely in helpfulness :roll:

Love Tilly x

nanasue wrote:

Hi Scarlett
I totally agree with Tilly, that is the best advice and the only way to get things done. They always say stupid things like we can give you an appointment in 2-3months time, what good is that if you're in terrible pain, they obviously don't understand how urgent it is. As for saying ring the rheumatology helpline, does anyone have one of these, or they just a fantasy? It would be interesting to know.

Sue x

carola

You can never nag too much - the success is just down to how you approach it.

Initially when I was told I had to wait 9 months for my next appointment due to how busy they were I called the RA Nurse and left a message on her machine saying how much pain I was in and how worried I was and would appreciate any help she could give me. They called back and gave me an appointment within 2 weeks. When I then saw the consultant I said that my mindset never mind my body cannot wait months between appointments and would appreciate any help. She then arranged to see me again in a month and then 2 month intervals thereafter.

I arrived to the appointment with chocolates for the RA Nurses to say thank you for their help.

We shouldn't have to do all this however the system is what it is at the moment therefore we need to try to make it work for us.

Good luck.
Carol

scarlettmarie

nanasue wrote:

Hi Scarlett
I totally agree with Tilly, that is the best advice and the only way to get things done. They always say stupid things like we can give you an appointment in 2-3months time, what good is that if you're in terrible pain, they obviously don't understand how urgent it is. As for saying ring the rheumatology helpline, does anyone have one of these, or they just a fantasy? It would be interesting to know.

Sue x

Hi Sue, firstly it worked and secondly I do have a rhuematology helpline and actually thats how it worked! I got a call today from my Dr's secretary offering me an appointment on tuesday which is brilliant as I am having real trouble fully functioning.x

dreamdaisy

Morning scarlettmarie, what good news! I am glad your helpline came up trumps - mine has done in the past and no doubt will again in the future. I wish you well and please let us know how you get on on Tuesday. DD

frogmorton

Brilliant Scarlett

Excellent result

Good luck for Tuesday

Love

Toni xx

hileena111

Hi
Think you've got all the answers.....
Ring your GP and ask him t follow up
Ring the consultants secretary......be nice to her...its always handy to have the secretary on your side

Love
Hileena