First time posting on here. I currently have a very large (think the size of a babies head) very painful lump on my lower right leg. I was taken to A&E in august in crippling pain, they did bloods and an x-ray (see pic) and have found a growth in my leg. Back in to see the consultant, he said you'll get a letter from us, got the letter went to my appointment, they have given me a steroid injection which if anything has made things worse, since having my injection the lump has become heavier, spread lower and become more painful. They gave me crutches to use at the end of august, and I've been on them since. We are still no further forward, since august I've been struggling to do things for myself, like make dinner and put washing on and all the general stuff, however the people who I live with aside from my partner are now becoming "bored" as it were of having to help me because I'm not getting any better, does anyone have any tips for either getting on with it or just feeling like I'm not useless? I'm only 22 so having a really tough time at the moment especially as I cannot afford not to work (I'm an electrician) I have been put on light duties as it were. Just feel like crying all the time because I need help to do everything and the crutches come with me everywhere too but as I'm fit and well within myself and its just this huge painful lump, people seem to think it's a sympathy thing and that I'm putting it on.
Thank you for reading all of this if you got this far. Sorry it's so long. I hope everyone else is having a good, pain free as possible day
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InfamousSinon
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InfamousSinon have you had an appointment letter to be seen yet or chased for it? The key to NHS at the moment is keep persisting if the lump is still there and you need guidance make an appointment to see your local GP and get them on your side too. They might have contacts or ask your local GP to get you referred by them to emergency A&E (they will give you a letter from Doc surgery) . My husband has a neuro issue and this means family or friends think it has gone away or get 'bored' by the illness.
Have you got RA and is that why you are on this site because if you have RA then surely your clinic team will speak to you?
Yes had the appt letter and went to said appointment, which has only made things worse at this point. I phoned the hospital as I was told to today and am currently awaiting a call back to find out what the next steps are
Sounds very strange. I can imagine they have done all kinds of tests, ruled out cancer and other tumors. Is the tumor in the bone or soft tissue? What did the biopsy say?
Welcome InfamousSinon, how did they leave it after your appointment in August? Are you to be seen again? I hope they haven’t just given you crutches and sent you on your way. Have you been diagnosed with R.A. before this?
I had my last appointment on the 10/10/19. But between august and then, it was heres some crutches good luck basically, no amount of chasing got me anywhere untill I got the letter through
Hello Sinon, I am sorry you have to deal with this undiagnosed pain. Long term constant pain leads to fatigue, which drains you from all energy and makes you feel low.
Just remember, it is not YOU! YOU are not useless, you have an ILLNESS. YOU are probably a lot stronger than you think and will make it through this. Just don't be too hard on yourself.
Give yourself time for little breaks during the day. Just five minutes at the time make a big difference. Do tings that make you feel good with your partner. Set yourself a small goal, like "today I will be kind to myself and not get frustrated with my illness" and reward yourself when you have done it. Tell your partner and celebrate with her/him.
Deb is right. You have to be very persistent and insist on further investigations until you have a diagnosis and then appropriate treatment.
I hope you'll make progress. Stay in touch, people are here for you. All the best.
This is a lot for you to cope with so young. There should definitely be follow-up to your injection. Try ringing the consultant's secretary (ring the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through to Mr XYZ's secretary). Ask the secretary to tell the consultant how bad things are. Record a message if no-one answers. If you can't get through at all on the phone, write to the consultant giving your NHS or hospital number, which will be on your appointment letter. If you've no longer got that, your GP surgery will be able to tell you your NHS number.
As other people suggest, you could try getting your GP to help, but remember that a new referral will mean a longish wait. Better try to go back to the person who has already treated you.
I'm sorry if this sounds complicate and a lot of effort, but everyone on this site will tell you that the NHS is so overstretched that they can't spare the time to follow up people who are not complaining of anything. If they don't hear anything from you, they will assume you are OK. Remember, it's the creaking gate that gets the oil.
I guess the people you live with are also young. Of course, it's not nice that they are bored with helping you, but it's not something they expected to be doing so early in life. Could you try explaining to them how you feel? You have set it out very clearly in your post. They have probably not thought a great deal about it from your point of view.
Ultimately, you can't make people help you, but there are some positive things in your post. You have a job where you are allowed to do light work and you have a partner who is helping you. It might be an idea to talk to your employers about the steps you are taking to get more treatment for your leg. You really need to have them on your side.
You are absolutely NOT useless but it's no wonder you feel like crying a lot. That in itself is a good reason to go to your GP, but not to be fobbed off with anti-depressants. You have a real, not imaginary, problem with your leg and the sooner it is sorted out, the sooner you will feel happier.
Everyone on this site will wish you well. Do let us know how you get on.
I have phoned the consultant today, as requested and I'm currently waiting for a call back from them with regards to what's happened to my case and we go from there. Thank you for your kind words, the people I live with are my partners dad and his SO, they're in their 50s but I do understand it is a lot for them. I've been told that it's best to just keep bugging the hospital for the exact reason that another referal could take months. My GP wouldn't listen to me and fobbed me off with every excuse possible, which is why I ended up in A&E in the first place. I will post some updates as and when I get them
Great, you've taken a positive step there. I hope you will get the help you need. It's a shame your GP was no help. Some are wonderful and others not. Are there several GPs at your surgery? If so, perhaps you could see a different one in future. I look forward to hearing some better news from you soon.
Had a phone call today to say I've been given an appointment at the pain management clinic in November and basically to just try and cope with the pain until then. I hope everyone else is having a good day
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