District nurse

[Schmall]

Hey everyone.Quick question. Does anyone with MSA get regular health checks from the district nurse? If so, is this recommended with MSA and how do I set this up for my husband?

Ps. His GP is useless. Can't even arrange vaccines at home.

[Yanno]

Hello, I think it's an absolute postcode lottery what support one gets locally. Jax has an excellent doctor who is very responsive to requests (responsive rather than proactive). The district nurses again are excellent should any special need arise - for instance when I, as full time carer, caught Covid a couple of years ago. However, there is no regular health check or visit.

We constantly monitor Jackie's O2, blood pressure etc and we, through me, are well able to ask for the help Jax needs. I fear however, for anyone who doesn't have access to someone to take that proactive view.

Sorry, not much help but the bottom line is, monitor things yourself, make your own judgements, and shout long and loud for the help you need.

Take care, Ian

[FredaE]

yanno just about sums it up. some GPs are unaware but make a point of learning so they can be helpful and you are very fortunate to have such a GP

some are ignorant and frightened need their hands held - MSATrust forthat

and some,fortunately the minority, are just plain uselessand uncaring

then it is up to the patient to learn as much as they can and gain confidence in what they know to be right. andshout long and loud to get it. I t does no good to fight with a stroppy nurse..remember she was once young and idealistic untl the system ground her down. Get her and all the rest to join your team by charm and whatever it takes and be ruthless

[Whitefeather1]

At first my friends GP wasn't great at all. It took the hospice nurse and her MSA nurse to have a few stern conversations with them before they realised just how awful MSA is..

The district nurses were a bit hit and miss, we used to call them ourselves when needed. Towards the end of Maggie's life, she had pressure sores, they were more regular, but still didn't turn up as regular as they said they would.

Get their number so you can call them.

Caroline.

[Fatwallet]

Hi my husband Phil does not get regular health checks as such. He is under the District nurse as he has a catheter fitted so they have to replace this and when there are issues they are happy to call out At other times, if I have any concerns ( skin , possible start of sores) then I can call them and they will come out and check. We have changed GP as the previous one was hopeless . Current GP practice seems so much better and they have been out to see Phil when he has been poorly and needed antibiotics. Sadly, You just need to keep asking and fighting for what you need.Take care.

[Jud11]

Hi

My husband has indwelling catheter and he has District Nurses calling to help with those. Our GP has never seen my husband and has not come across MSA before. I got MSA nurse to send him an info pack after he prescribed wrong drugs to treat blood pressure issues. I have more confidence contacting MSA nurse when issues arise as do not feel confident in our GP.