When is a helpline not a helpline?

jenzie06

When no one bothers to ring you back or when it is suspended indefinitely but the receptionists are still saying leave a message!!

I am so close to putting in a formal complaint but have resorted to crying in a corner first.

I have had a problem with my ribs since Christmas. I have a pain lower right side which can go all the way round to the sternum. It hurts the most when I breathe in deeply and when I stand or bend for more than 5 mins. It has been getting progressively worse despite osteopath and pilates. X ray results (persued through GP as hospital staff are all away apparently - goodness knows who's looking after all the sick people!!) are normal. This usually means the hospital will ignore problem as they can't see it with one test. Muggins is usually left with terrible pain and immobility which deeply impacts my ability day to day.

Help. I feel abandoned and really quite down.

skezier

Hi Jen

Your not abandoned or alone here flower hoe ever bad the rumo helpline is.

Please don't sit in a corner flower they are idiots half the time. Can you by pass the helpline and ring the rumo direct at all? I don't have a rumo nurse so my way back to be seen is to do that and it might work for you.

In the mean time hang in there and all I can do is leave a ((((( ))))) Cris xx

[Deleted User]

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stickywicket

I’m sorry they weren’t available for you, jenzie. I presume you are speaking of your rheumatology helpline. Has it been suspended indefinitely? I can see that would be a big problem for a lot of people in your area.

You know that we can’t diagnose on here. All we can really offer is sympathy and it must be very hard for you. I can see how upset you are.

The only thing I can think of that might help is that Mr SW had a similar problem a year or two back. It turned out to be the way he sat in his chair. He tends to slump and sleep and his ribs were pressing on the soft tissue underneath (and he has plenty of that :roll: ). I think it was just the one side because he does/did lean more over to that side. It might be worth looking at how you sit. At least the remedy is simple. In the end he changed to a less comfy chair.

barabrith

Hi jenzie,

Thank goodness for this forum - at least there are sympathetic "listeners".
It might be worth keeping a note of the dates and times you're attempting to contact the so-called helpline, together with the recorded response message and then write in and point out how this makes you feel. At least you'll have had your say about the appalling service!
What support are you getting from your GP? Can your dr provide further options for pain relief? You are not being unreasonable in seeking help.
Keep posting, people on here come up with lots of good ideas from my experience since I joined.

Best wishes

barbara12

Oh Jen
I am so sorry, when you are in pain and no one seems to care is the most awful feeling.
Please dont forget we are always here for you, I know we cant really help with your meds, but we are here to listen.
You take care...(((((()))) xx

dachshund

Hi Jenzie.
i'm sorry you are in so much pain i hope you will feel better soon.
joan xx

theresa4

HI Jenzie
Sorry Im not on here much so I dont know what you have but I know from experience having Chostio chondritis )(sp?) which is painful inflamation of the tissue arounf the chest wall, it is common with poeple with RA and fibromyalgia.

As for the rheumy helpline you can ring your rheumatologists secretary and ask them to direct you to further advice. I have done this before, I have also rung the hospital where I go and
a) rung the day ward for rheumatology
b) rung the dedicated rheumatology main ward
c) rung and asked to be put through to the rheumatology clinic the receptionist is always nice and asks a nurse to quickly help
I suppose it depends on what the set up is at your hospital dont give up keep pushing.

sending some gentle (((())))
Theresa

ironic

Hi Jen,
I am so sorry you have to contend with this on top of everything else. As Theresa has suggested I would try ringing your rheumy secretary; it has worked for me in the past. Or the main switch board to see if there is a system to get round the helpline problems.
Thinking of you,
I x

skezier

Hi Jen,

Still thinking of you and leaving some ((( )))'s and hopes flower. Hang in there Cris xx

jenzie06

Thanks for the replies.

Our hospital has a very annoying system but if it works then it's brill. You can either ring the helpline direct or ring the secretary who will then direct you to the helpline. Now usually you leave a message and a nurse will get back to you. But for the past year its been rubbish. You ring and leave a message and no one rings for days or if they do ring then they have got the wrong end of the stick!!
When I did leave a message then ring the secretary I was told off for leaving too many messages and confusing them. I just wanted someone to answer and to care.

Since ringing on tues I haven't heard anything from them. Definitely won't hear til middle of next week now...

Have decided not to stress out as its not worth it. If they don't pull their finger out soon I will make a formal complaint to PALS. It's a pain as I don't want to annoy anyone but they are not making it easy!!

Right, where's the wine - goes really well with tramadol!!

applerose

Hi Jen. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I was able to ring the rheumie nurse at any time. If she was not available, she would ring me as soon as she was able. I rang a few times during the first year.

I needed to talk to her a few months ago but the line sounded dead. Tried phoning the secretary but it just kept ringing. I asked my rheumie about it a couple of months ago and he looked confused and told me that the nurse and secretary had recently moved in to the same room so I should be able to get hold of one or the other now.

It does leave you feeling that you are being left to deal with your symptoms on your own. I hope you get some help soon. ((hugs))