Bronchiectasis - back/sciatica woes

[birdy53]

Today I saw my gp as both an A&E and the practice physio stated I need an MRI as disc/sciatica problems - my gp says I can manage with my pain killers which he would against other advice like me to stop soon .

I also mentioned my Bronchiectasis was building up again and causing problems - answer script for antibiotics to keep ready when needed / no sputum check ....

[Ergendl]

Is there another GP you can see in the practice? If the practice physio is saying you need a scan, the GP should take notice.

[Izb1]

When I asked my gp about physio for sciatica she told me it's a 10-12 month waiting list and gave me Codeine . My rheumy doc has recently put me in for physio for the pain in my arm and has included sciatica when i told her about the waiting times. I do suffer this occasionally but an mri has never been suggested. I wonder if your physio suspects other damage, if so ask her to speak with your gp . I do sympathise as the pain is terrible x

[birdy53 in reply to Izb1]

The a&e doctor said he couldn't see the disc in my lower back so need an mri the physio said I need an mri the gp said to try to cut my pain killers down in the new year and keep doing the exercises Hosp said 3 pain killers gp said 2 a day unless I could do without them... I say give me an mri and my life back

[Izb1 in reply to birdy53]

So frustrating, is there another doctor you can see in your practice and explain what the hospital doctors have said about an mri scan x

[Alberta56]

It sounds to me as if your GP is falling down on the job. Is there a different GP in the practice you can see? At the very least you should have been supplied with sputum pots, ready for the next flare up. I hope someone will be along soon who can tell you who to complain to. I can only suggest you try 111 if things get intolerable.

[birdy53 in reply to Alberta56]

Doesn't seem over bothered he was ready with his answers and just said you should have antibiotics at home ready for when you need them ( they stopped that years ago) Was offering me Amoxcillin but I told him doesn't work). So gave me doxicillun(?).

[birdy53 in reply to Alberta56]

Think I have something for that, he however just gave me the antibiotics and wasn't really intetested

[Alberta56 in reply to birdy53]

Not at all satisfactory.

[Mooka]

I think you need to get your elbows out. I had back surgery this year eight years since my first MRI. You need a referral to pain management and they can give you injections for the sciatica. These didn’t stop my back pain but they did stop the sciatica. Physios usually suggest Pilates or yoga. I think they may say not yoga though. Look for one that specialises on building up your core and does gentle exercises. You could do this at home. It’s a long drawn out process but the first step is the MRI. Good luck the pain affects everything in your life and so is miserable.

[birdy53 in reply to Mooka]

Thankyou