Worried about appointment.

[Debra1967]

Hi all,

Long time since I posted on here.

Just wanted a bit of reassurance I guess.

Late last Friday afternoon I had a phone call from the hospital that treated my SAH, to say my consultant would like to see me this Wednesday morning.

I had an MRI in January so I'm thinking it's probably to discuss that. I've had a little seed planted though, because if all was all clear wouldn't I just have a had a letter stating that? That's been the case in the past with any sort of test.

I also have an appointment with neuro nurse in March so imagine they could also have told me if scan was clear at that appointment.

I just hate not knowing. It stresses me out and leads me to overthink!

Take care all.

Deb. x

I'm probably stressing unnecessarily, (I do that a lot more these days)

[cat3]

I understand your logic Debra, but why would they wait so long before calling you in if there was a problem ; the radiographer sees the scan as it's happening, and it's practice to fast-track it if they see something irregular.

I'm sorry you're spooked by the call ; I was in bits when I had a similar call from my GP's surgery telling me I needed to see the doctor.............. the receptionist wouldn't tell me what it was about. (turned out to be a medication issue). I wish they understood how unnerving it is being kept in the dark.

I hope, whatever the appointment is about, there's a simple outcome. Please let us know how you get on, on Wed. I'll be thinking of you. Cat x

[Hidden]

Hi Deb

I totally understand how you feel, your going to drive yourself mad trying to think is it bad news or good. I know its hard I've done the same, but just think if it is bad then your in the right hands, if its just run of the mill ( which alot of the time it is) your going to feel such relief. I hope I make sense, and I hope your appointments reassure you

Angie x

[razyheath43 in reply to Hidden]

Tip,make friends (professianlly) with the nurse practioner of your nuro dept at the hospital,thats what we have done,and two days afer a scan we ring her and she tells us the results.

[Debra1967 in reply to razyheath43]

I have a neuro nurse I can contact but in all honesty it's a waste of time. I contacted her recently about medication the GP had prescribed for me, when I read the 'do's and don'ts' it said not to take if you've had a recent brain injury, not knowing what they class as 'recent' I thought I would check before taking it. I emailed her asking her to ring me, didn't happen. So I rang her and left a message as there was no answer, still hasn't phoned me. That was 3 weeks ago. Needless to say I haven't taken the meds.

[cat3 in reply to Debra1967]

Debra, I've always found the secretary of the consultant to be the most reliable & helpful where these type of queries are concerned. Their number is available from reception. (Pretty disgraceful that the nurse didn't respond to your calls).

Maybe you can find out tomorrow about the meds ? ............be thinking of you. xx

[razyheath43 in reply to Debra1967]

Its a shame,and clearly varies from trust to trust,the only other thing i can sugest is to get to know your team at the hospital. Or be polite but firm when you leavea phone meaasge,All the best

[Hidden]

Thats a good tip

[daveeb]

I knew it would have to be mentioned . On the 17th I had my MRI , and had an appointment with GP for this Friday . To top it all though , I had a call to go tonight . So good luck Deb . x

[Silmarillion]

Hey Deb

It's only natural to worry about things related to scans and hospital appointments....given what you've been through in the past. As you say...and I do the same thing....I always think of the worst case scenario....it's never as bad as you think it's going to be.....it's probobly nothing to worry about.

Big hug to you and I hope everything goes well for you x

[Debra1967]

Thank you all. I know I'm probably worrying for nothing. It's really hard not to.

I'll come back on here on Wednesday and let you know how it went.

Thanks again.

Deb.x

[daveeb in reply to Debra1967]

Morning Deb . He only wants me to have another 'fasting ' blood test . The Lamotrigine that had been increased may now be too much . However , I've felt the best that I've felt in a long time . Dave

[Dmparsons9]

Hi Deb. I find the hospital never tells me much anyway so hopefully you will be fine. I wish you lots of luck and try not to stress as it wont be good for you. Take care. Deb xx

[sca2013]

Yes, a few weeks after my event I got a call that I needed to come in and see my GP right away. So like the, at the time, obedient patient I was I setup the appointment. I went in and had all the blood drawn before the appointment. Then when I went in for the appointment the doctor asked me why it was that I came in for an appointment. I thought what the hell, you requested that I come in and then I said I came in because you requested I come in. She then proceeded with an intense 90 minute appointment of interrogation and examination. She knew I had a brain injury, but apparently knew nothing about brain injuries other than the diagnosis code. I was exhausted after about 30 minutes, but she kept on. She asked my wife if I normally get this stressed at a doctors appointment. I should stop now, I'm stressing myself out now just talking about it. After a couple more appointments with her I requested a new GP as she and I were just not a good fit. Now why was I telling you this? Oh, yes I definitely relate to the worry about pretty much any medical appointment, but especially ones they request, even though they mostly amount to nothing more than an annoyance, at least for me. To say I have a bad attitude about most anything medical is an understatement. Sorry for the rant, for whatever reason this topic really got me going. Wishing you peace and comfort as you wait it out.

[Debra1967]

Well..... What a complete and utter waste of my time, and my sisters (she had the day off work to take me)

First of all I didn't even see my consultant, I have no idea who he was, he didn't introduce himself. Secondly, I'm sorry, I really don't want to sound like I'm racist, because I assure you I am not but I could barely understand a word he said, (Not that there were many words spoken). He showed me my MRI scan images, asked 'How are you?' When I told him I'm still having headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, exhaustion, poor short term memory., peripheral vision problems. He told me that my memory would improve and none of the other things were related to my SAH!

What is the point in these appointments?!

I got the impression if I had told him how I really feel on a daily basis he wouldn't have cared anyway. Completely expressionless and emotionless.

I give up!

[cat3 in reply to Debra1967]

What a rotten wind up for you Debra after the anxiety of the call and what it might mean. I must say I'm relieved for you (just looked in to see if you'd posted after the appointment today) but I can see how this must have added insult to injury.

I do understand how frustrating it can be when there's a language barrier between patient and doctor. You might actually get more sense from the neuro nurse at your forthcoming appointment.

To suggest those symptoms aren't connected to the SAH is preposterous coming from a consultant, and I suggest you phone your own consultant's secretary and ask to go back on the list for an appointment with him for a realistic consultation.

I think the other chap actually needs to be taken to task over his unprofessional manner and mis-information.

Good to hear there isn't an extra health issue though m'dear and hope you can sleep a little easier. Cat x