Any thoughts??

ToastierShorti

My neurosurgeon has put me on his waiting list for a double cervical anterior fusion, after a Laminectomy and Foraminotomy last year failed to ease the pain and progressive weakness of my neck and left arm.

He is aware about the weakness and pain in my right arm, lower back pain (fusion 1997), unsteadiness when walking, (he mentioned it to me) chronic achilles tendonitis, strange vibrations and tinglings, cramps and numbness, ,osteoarthritis in my knees and ankles, but says my GP needs to refer me to see someone else about this, which I understand.

My GP also is aware of these problems, I've written a list, but he hasn't read it, and it's hard to say what I want in a few minutes appointment. But as my bloods are okay, he says I have widespread osteoarthritis and hopefully as it progresses the pain will subside as the joints become more rigid, and maybe things will settle down after the neck surgery. He is nice, but has never suggested I need to see anyone else. Before I have this neck surgery I would really like to talk to someone who knows more about, or can tell me what is happening to me. I worried my GP is going to think I'm a time waster or someone who is exhausting NHS funding if I go back again. The receptionist has already told me 'the surgery is a business' when I queried a £40 charge to get a from signed.

I also have tinnitus, and an MRI scan showed 'white matter' that the ENT consultant wrote to my GP about and said needed monitoring, but nothing has happened about that after the blood tests was okay. I really do sound like a hypochondriac don't I? But I'm not, honestly.

I don't even know if there is someone else I could ask to see, or if you are allowed to ask. But I am worried, because I don't know what to do.

Sorry to rant on, but I don't have anywhere else to go but here...

Marie

barbara12

Hello Marie
You rant away...the only people that I know that have had neck surgery are Elna and Julie...I really can understand why you want to see someone else about it...its a scary situation and you want to get all the advice you can , if I was you I would ask your consultants secretary for another appointment to have a chat ...I am sure many come out of appointments and think I wish I had ask more questions..or cant remember everything...I know I do.
And don't forget we are always here..xx

suzygirl

Hello , I would say that the last thing you sound like is a hypochondriac. Ask for a double appointment with a gp you trust and explain your concerns. Sometimes if you take someone with you, they take you more seriously. It is clear you have other problems that need dealing with, you deserve to be treated.

I have no idea which doctor your surgeon wants you to see, does he go into detail in the letter to your gp? Have you got a copy?

Hopefully, someone else will be along shortly with more help for you.

Take care

stickywicket

Some good advice there from Suzygirl. Alas, it does help to take 'back-up' into an appointment :roll: I’m not the best person to advise you, Marie. Mine is RA with resultant OA but I’ve never needed to see a neurologist. I’m just wondering who your neurologist thought the GP would refer you to – an orthopaedic surgeon if bits need replacing but I’m not sure who else there is for OA other than physios and Pain Clinics that help you to deal with the pain.

Your GP is right that, once joints fuse, they are far less painful but that, in itself, is a long and painful route. (I have two ankles and two wrists which have virtually fused themselves.) You don’t sound to have a very easy relationship with him so why not see another GP in the practice?

I don’t see why you should be viewed as either a time-waster or as ‘someone who is exhausting NHS funding’ just because you want to find out more about your conditions and your op. I find most GPs actually like to work with patients who are prepared to take responsibility for their own health, ask questions, listen to answers and work out suitable plans of action together.

As for getting forms signed - there’s usually a set charge for such things though sometimes they will waive it.

I don’t know how tinnitus is monitored but, again, you have a right to ask.

elnafinn

Hi Marie

Have you joined a tinnitus forum which help you with any questions you have?

http://tinnitus.org.uk/session/new

Elna x

elnafinn

Hi Marie

Is your neurosurgeon going to perform the op as he is putting you on the waiting list. I do not really understand. If he will be doing the op and is aware of all your symptoms, surely it is with him that you discuss anything you wish to know/have explained.

The surgeon to whom I was referred, arranged an MRI and performed my spinal op, neck area, firstly explaining everything to me laid the cards on the table, so to speak) and it was with him that I discussed all my fears and so on, not my GP. It was my GP that referred me, surely that is the end of the GP's role with it.

It seems like you are being pushed around from pillar to post. Is that how you feel?

Elna x