Annoyed

[LouLamb]

Well annoyed is an understatement. I’m fuming at the moment.

I went to my gp last night as my consultant appointment isn’t until November. I am in pain everywhere. Over this last week I’ve been getting a stiff neck and shoulders over night.

So gp rang rheumatology nurse and Said could I be seen any sooner.

Nurse rang me up this morning and told me no sooner appointments. I could ring sectary if I wanted and speak to them. I then Said to her no I won’t ring secretary, just forget it I’ve been suffering for nearly 6 weeks with no meds. I then hanged up the phone before I said something I would regret.

This is my life it’s not a game. I am fed up with this.

[Foggyme]

Oh LouLamb...so sorry to hear this and I'm annoyed on your behalf too 🤬.

I know it doesn’t help but I'm in exactly the same situation...I did manage to get an emergency appointment...but with a different consultant who then said not aware of my case, not their patient...so couldn’t change treatment...wait until November (that was three months ago)! Strangely, this 'don't know you' consultant was quite happy to diagnose me with fibromyalgia (which I don’t have) based on no information and no examination! Now really struggling and it's been nine months since I last saw my 'regular' (pretty useless) rheumatologist. And from what I read here, that's about par for the course for many people. Quite disgraceful.

When you've stopped fuming and if you can summon the energy, might be a good idea to try ringing your consultant's secretary. No idea how accommodating yours is but they will be able to speak to your consultant and with their authority, may be able to slot you in by over-booking a clinic.

But how terrible that we have to resort to these measures when things are going badly and we feel so ill.

You're dead right...this is not a game. Oh how I wish 'they' could walk in our shoes for one single day.

Sending you hugs and understanding...and a big hope that you'll manage to get some attention PDQ. 🤔🤨🤞🤞

[LouLamb in reply to Foggyme]

I’ve just had enough now. Since being diagnosed 3 years ago my hospital has been absolutely crap.

I’m not going to nor do I have the energy to ring the secretary. My hospital isn’t accommodating at all.

I’m fed up and all the progress I’ve made mentally has just come crashing down today. I’ve retreated back to what’s the point???

[PMRpro]

To be fair Lou - the nurse probably just looked at the clinic timetable or spoke to Appointments (I don't know how your hospital works) and there were no spaces. If you were to speak to the secretary she may be able to arrange a non-routine clinic consultation, fitting you in between other things or even on the ward. Those are my instructions, if I need to be seen I call the secretary directly and they speak to His Holiness who says a time convenient for him outside clinic hours. I don't have routine clinic recalls as it is assumed I know what I'm doing and if I need to speak to him it will be for something urgent.

Call the secretary and explain how upset you were due to the pain and that's why you said no first time round. They can only say no if it is impossible - but if you sound really poorly they will go out of their way for you.

[LouLamb in reply to PMRpro]

Honestly my hospital wouldn’t care.

I’m luckily if I see a consultant once a year. They just forget about me.

I’ll go to my appointment in November and I think that will be my last there. What’s the point of being under somewhere if they aren’t monitoring or helping you anyway ??

[Kevin53 in reply to LouLamb]

It’s not easy but please ring the Secretary. You need to try that path. Best wishes Kevin

[LouLamb in reply to Kevin53]

I’ll think about it. I’m currently on half term holiday from work. I’m looking after my little cousin until Saturday now. I just want to try and enjoy that as much as possible.

[Kevin53 in reply to LouLamb]

That sounds more like my inspirational Lou....enjoy half term

[LouLamb in reply to Kevin53]

Thank you !