Long wait: Have recently fractured my... - Bone Health and O...

Bone Health and Osteoporosis UK

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Long wait

6 years ago•9 Replies

Have recently fractured my spine. Just had an extremely painful dexa scan. Told now I have to wait 9 weeks to get reports from gp. !! Do people usually see a consultant?

Feeling lost this has all happened so suddenly.

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Glasgow22

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9 Replies

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MCW226 years ago

I got my results within a couple of weeks and no I never got to see anyone about my fracture. It was just left. 7 months on and I'm still in pain and not able to do much and have to take painkillers every day even at bed time in order to get comfortable enough to sleep. Know what you mean about the scan being painful. I was in tears. Wouldn't you think they would have a softer bed for patients with back fractures.

lolly646 years ago

Hi no my results came from the hospital within a few weeks which also sent a copy to GP, they recommended the medication to him and that was it I had a follow up appointment by phone with the hospital six months after to see how the meds were going and if I needed to change anything!!! Nine weeks is a long while to wait I can only think your hospital must be rather behind in their paperwork I know I could never get through to that dept on the phone maybe you should ring them and query it good luck x

Kaarina6 years ago

Poor you. Nine weeks is a long time to wait. Too long. No wonder you are feeling lost. Why not give the ROS a call on Monday and have a chat with a nurse on the helpline. Call 0808 800 0035 - free from all UK landlines, mobiles. I have not called the helpline but have heard from those that have, they are really lovely, understanding and helpful and give you all the time you need. Gentle hugs to you.

veriterc6 years ago

I agree -phone the Royal Osteoporosis Society immediately.

You shouldn't have had a painful DEXa scn, but I understand from the makers that the NHS won't pay for the special pillows that every other country does - trying to save money! Every time I have to have any scan I always phone dept. beforehand and explain that I must have pillows to cushion my back, and also take a pain killer.

And yes, if you can afford it, go to a private consultant. Worth every penny when I have done this.

LynneH-196 years ago

That’s dreadful!

I was refused a DEXA scan after falling in doors and damaging my coccyx, resulting in a long period of back pain. I later fell in doors in 2010, breaking both wrists and knocking my pelvis, which restarted the back pain. I finally got my scan and diagnosis.

I waited above a month before my GP got the results.

I was supposed to be referred back to the hospital to see a consultant for OP treatment, but my GP made me have Alendronic acid, even though I had had a bleeding gut ulcer in the past.

I stopped taking the AA after 10 weeks and in desperation was relying on supplements.

Because we had reached stalemate over treatment she eventually agreed to refer me to see a Consultant, about 6 months later.

In hindsight, I would have been better paying to see a consultant initially, but I don’t have medical insurance and was in shock / panic, after having both wrists in plaster at the same time, that I stupidly allowed my GP to bully me.

Try contacting both the hospital and the GP to speed your results up. Did you get blood tests taken? Are you taking supplements? If not make sure you get a vit D blood test. Read all you can on the subject of OP and treatment/diet especially protein. See

blogs.creighton.edu/heaney/...

Also read ‘Vitamin K2 and the Ca Paradox’ by Kate Rheaume Bleue.

Good luck

Cally556 years ago

This is familiar. I fractured my spine in 2 places last year. Diagnosed by x-ray. I had to push for dexa scan. Results came back in a few days. Referred to different rheumatologist from the one i was seeing for GCA , three months wait. Bounced back to the first one who said that they didn't really do anything about the fractures, might get me a zolendronic acid infusion instead of the oral bisphonate, but tooth problem intervened with 4 month wait for dental hospital! The most helpful has been the NHS physiotherapist who says she might be able to refer me to pain clinic, but not yet!

Meanwhile GP prescribes codeine and paracetamol and worries about me becoming adicted, the least of my worries I feel, and it definitely helps.

These fractures are excruciatingly painful but do get slightly better with time and a massive adjustment to life style. I am retired so pacing and resting and doing things in short bursts is possible. It has taken me a while to train myself not to lift anything or twist etc.

I agree with the others ring the NOS now ROS helpline they are sympathetic and practical and take as long as it takes.

Walkingdogs6 years ago

Mine were through in a couple of weeks to the GP. I eventually made an appointment for an mri scan as my physio said he thought it was a fracture. The mri showed spinal fractures and the consultant I saw advised which meds I needed. I had to go privately as the waiting list for mri was 2 yrs.

Posy-White6 years ago

Very sorry to hear you news. I hope you have been able to talk with one of the lovely team from the ROS helpline.

Having had spinal fractures, it isn't very nice! You don't say if your GP has been able to help with pain relief, I found once the pain was under better control I was able to 'think, plan and question' i.e. able to feel in control of this difficult situation.

lolly64 idea of phoning sounds good, I found being polite but persistent and explaining why I was asking often got a good outcome.

I was referred to a spinal team as well as seeing the Osteoporosis specialist.

Good Luck

Posy White

Glasgow226 years ago

I have had ms for many years. The locum I saw on Monday,can never see my own gp !was a pain specialist. She said all pain relief has side effect that I don’t need with ms. She advised a tens machine, co codamol . Hoping to get referred to the pain clinic, and trying cbd oil. She has certainly got things moving for me anyway.

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