Need to get this off my chest

Folara

I don't normally have a moan or get upset but I am so infuriated and upset that I could cry.

My doctor was wonderful and helpful and supportive. Sadly he has just retired.

I saw my 'new' doctor last week and he sent me for an X-ray on my BHR hip as its constantly painful and has been now for a while plus I have lack of movement. He told me to see him at the end of this week for results and to see where to go to from there. He also took my body map I was asked to do for fibromyalgia diagnosis.

So I phone up today to be told the next available appointment with my doctor is in JUNE! I can speak in the phone to him on 30TH MAY. I asked what was the point of being sent for urgent x-rays if I couldn't see my doctor to discuss them etc

I also tell the receptionist that I need a review on my medication or I can't get anymore on repeat as the review was overdue. Plus the Amitryptaline needs to be increased and the pregabolin needs to be added as well.

Receptionist then puts me through to a nurse who read the result out to me and it basically says they can't see anything. I tell the nurse I should be having blood tests for metal toxicity and she says she knows nothing about that and cut me off!

Anyway I have called back and got an appointment with another doctor (the only one there I really don't like and really don't want to speak to). I dont know how I am going to get this doctor to listen to me. I need a diagnosis on the fibromyalgia so I can at least understand why I feel so awful, I need someone to actually listen to me when I say I am in constant pain, especially with my right BHR hip and to follow that up with a blood test or MRI or something.

My old Doctor was also supposed to be doing a letter of support for my ESA Appeal, but he didn't do it before he left. Although I was told that he went back into the surgery last week to finish his paperwork off. I can't get an answer from anyone over whether the letter has been done or if I need to ask another doctor to try to do one, even tho they don't know me.

I feel like I have been totally let down and abandoned. I really do feel like crying.

Fols x

Numptydumpty

Oh Fols, that does sound upsetting and frustrating!
I don't see what else you can do. I hope it goes better with the other doctor.
Thinking of you, and wishing you well,
Numpty

mig

Thinking of you and hoping you can get a good appointment.(((())))Mig

Folara

Thanks Numpty and Mig I am still a little touchy anyway after my migraine so this really didn't help.

Fols x

thewifie

Can you ask the Practice Manager about the letter and, if it has not been done, can he/she contact the doctor in question to see if he will do it ?

woodbon

Its all so frustrating isn't it? Going from one doctor to another and having to tell the same story, but I hope you get a surprise, I did once years ago (not arthritis). I had been sent as an emergency to the hospital and discharged a few hours later; diagnosis constipation. I was in agony and the next day I don't remember much, but I do remember my doctors partner, whom I hated came and was so fantastic, so maybe you'll find the same with the doctor you don't like. Give him a second chance! I hope all goes well for you. Love Sue xxx

barking1

Thinking of you Fols, and sending a cyber ((((((( )))))))))hope your next appointment will be better, dont give up these specialists certainly try our patiance and upset us but , there will be someone out there who can help xxx jane

stickywicket

A very frustrating time for you, Fols. A few practical suggestions:

1. Re the review - I'm not sure they really won't issue any more prescriptions without it. My practice are spot on with most things but quite easy going on this one.

2. Your appointment - take someone with you for moral support and, if possible, make it a bloke. I hate to say it but docs find it harder to be dismissive when you've a bloke in tow. Ask this doc about your letter.

3. In the final analysis, you can always change practices. others on here have done it to good effect.

I hope you're feeling a little easier by now. I find I simmer down eventually but it is very annoying when this sort of thing happens.

Folara

Thank you guys for your support.

I just feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall. No one is listening to what I say. I don't know how to force a diagnosis out of them re the fibro.

I know my hip BHR isn't right. The x rays say that it's not moved but I am still getting so much pain so I have to again try and make them take me seriously and blood tests should tell if there is any metal toxicity and surely if there is muscle damage or anything then an MRI is the only thing to pick this up? Also when I move the leg in a certain position theres an audible pop and it does that every time it moves into/out of that position. But then it could be coming from my back, but no one wants to take me seriously on that either, or so it feels. I told my physio today that when a lie on my BHR side I can feel something hard pressing into my hip, I don't get it the other side, he laughed at me. He then tells me to do some exercises, standing on one leg - yeah right no problem!

I can't take anyone in with me as hubby can't take anymore time off work and my son is back to school (he's 15 and very grown up). So I am going to have to go see the Doctor from hell who told me a few years ago that I was just a stressy mother making things up in my head, that was the day before I rushed my youngest to hospital as he stopped breathing!

I can't move to another Practice as there isn't one. I live in the middle of nowhere and can only go to the one Practice so looks like I will have to lump it.

I need a consistent doctor that I can have a repor with and who understands my problems so when the endless reports need filling in they can actually do it without missing things out just because I've not made a fuss about it (incontinence being a typical one).

I really needed the letter of support from my doctor to send to the DWP for my ESA as it would contain the info they need (like the incontinence) which in tantamount to being put in the Support Group.

I think maybe I am just getting my knickers in a twist but I'm really upset by this.

Sorry everyone, think I might just go to bed.

Fols x

frogmorton

Poor poor you Fols

I am so sorry you feel so very shift at the mo, but l can totally see why

I would too.

I hope you did take the June appointment and would it be worth asking for a cancellation - if one comes in as well??

I understand how dreadful migraines are and think the best place for you IS bed or you risk another one :?

Thinking of you

Love and hugs

Toni xxx

stickywicket

I'm sorry it's so tough for you right now, Fols. In the absence of another practice, the only other thing I can think of is to ask PALS for advice. If you go to their website you can find your nearest branch.

I think Frog's idea of asking for a cancellation appt with the other doc is a good one (while keeping the present one). If it becomes necessary you can remind him of his mistake with your son.

Re the hip - I could be hopelessly wrong here but does an MRI show muscles? I know it shows bones and I know a CT scan shows soft tissue but I'm not sure where muscle fits in.

thewifie

Hi Fols , have you tried contacting the hospital/surgeon that did your BHR ?

Folara

I am phoning every day now to see if there is a cancellation I can take, in the meantime I still have my crappy doc appointment as Sticky suggested.

I did try to contact the surgeon but was told I can only see him if I am referred by my GP, again I need to see the other doc.

Maybe I am being a bit paranoid as my hubby said he saw said doc and he was really helpful.

I think you are right Sticky, I think it's the CAT scan for muscles etc. The more I think about it the more I query myself about if the pain is the hip or my back, but my back has always been bad on the left side (it still is) and not on the right. I wonder, do you think the facet joint injections have aggravated the back condition so it is now playing up on the right?

Do you think if I have to see the crappy doc I should write down what I want and send it to him the day before, eg asking about diagnosis for the fibro, medication review with asking about adding the pregabolin, ask about hip or back?

Fols x

stickywicket

It is possible that (a)you’re not being paranoid and (b)your husband did have a good appointment with him. Maybe this doc's better at dealing with men than women. Maybe he’s taken a dislike to you. Maybe your husband caught him on a good day. Lots more maybes there.

I can’t help with backs. All I can say is that, pre-THRs, my hip pain was the classic one - groin and just above the centre of the affected buttock.

My own personal opinion would be on no account send him a ‘shopping list’ the day before as that would put him on his guard. But I would take it with me and tell him at the outset all that I wanted from the appointment. I’d also go in friendly, polite and absolutely determined. (And quaking in my boots )

Folara

Lol Sticky I will be quaking for sure.

Thanks for the advice mate.

Fols x

marrianne

Hi Fols,Some good advise from Sticky ,I am a bit out of my depth re thr ..and subsequent probs but pain is awful rubbish doctors just compound all the stress and I am so sorry I hope you mannaged to get some sleep and you get some where with the other doctor ,,you never know Fols maybe you caught him on one of his bad days ,Got hospital tomorrow to get my bloods done etc hope I dont get the same nurse as last week ........still got last weeks bruise ....... dreading it dont really know why I just dont really think the leflu.s yet .....ide grr cant even spell it is doing anything as yet but if b/p is normal guess its worth a good try this time .....also I am looking at a tkr ..... soon hope things get better soon and You get some proper help Fols guess its another early night for me Marrianne

thewifie

When I had my shoulder examined they actually used an ultra sound as they said it shows damage better, I realise though that your hip would be a lot more severe than my shoulder was !

I agree with Sticky, write down a list of what you want to ask so you don't forget anything and don't be afraid to question him if you don't understand. Write down the answers too so you can remember what he suggests. Can you take your husband with you ? or someone else ?

Look him in the eye and talk firmly about your concerns especially that you want a referal to the surgeon who operated on you.