Well since my last post things have not improved, they have continued to get worse to the point that the GP under the advice of the Rheumy nurse that I spoke to have changed my pain meds three different times, now I am on Tramadol and Paracetamol so I spend quite a lot of my time asleep as I feel so drugged and out of it all the time. My legs hurt like hell, does anyone know where I can get spare parts as would gladly rip off legs for a new set. The swelling is expanding and the hospital got so pissed at the GP because even after I came out of lockdown and actually got an appointment at my GP practice, they refused to measure my legs for the stockings, saying they don't know how, even the practice nurse didn't know.
The Rheumy lot complained to the GP and the GP blamed the pharmacy saying they should measure my legs and send the measurements to them and then they will put the prescription through. From February they were asked to get these done to ease the pain/swelling in legs and the could not organise a piss up in a brewery. Eventually a district nurse was sent who then made me feel even more anxious as she just kept saying oh my they are so big and the right is a whole 5cm bigger than the left, how do you get around? I just had to explain I have been living in flip flops but the weather is changing and I can't walk around in flip flops forever, plus the indentations are sore and look unpleasant. That was the beginning of October, no stockings and now the GP has just sent me a text out of the blue saying they are not going to do what the Vasular and Rheumy team have asked they have referred me to the Lymphoedema team in a hospital miles away from my home and I can't drive at the moment because the of the swelling. Why this has been decided, no explanation.
So will call them tomorrow. Tired of being on steriods, although it has helped a lot and has reduced the swelling by half, just hope this ends soon as so fed up with the ifs, buts and maybes.
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Paisley58
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If you possibly can try to get to the Lymphodaema appointment...I was lucky enough to see a lymphodaema nurse after having problems in my arm after breast cancer surgery.I don’t know if they could help but maybe contact somebody like MacMillan nurses ....to see if they have any means of finding transport for you...or there are services in most areas where volunteers will drive you to vital medical appointments..usually for a nominal fee.
At least the MacMillan nurses will know how to measure you for the stockings
Hello Paisley, my late dad was referred to a Lymphodaema team which was in a hospital but on contacting them as he couldn't travel there we found out they held a clinic at his local community clinic some few hundreds of yards away from where he lived which was great and he found the service and team to be good. So wonder if this team do other clinics in the community and if so would there be one near to you. He too had different measurements for each leg and I understand that these stockings were individually made and came from Germany. He got his pretty quickly. So hope things work out for you and send my best wishes.
What a comedy of errors, except it's really not funny at all.
May I suggest that you request the hospital organises Patient Transport to take you to them for the appointment as you can't drive and if you can't be seen in a clinic nearer to where you live? Or as AC suggests, perhaps your local Coronavirus Network of helpers or Age UK have someone who would be willing to drive you for just the cost of the petrol. 🤞
Oh Paisley! What a run around and when you are so unwell. I have a pair of sexy hospital stocking that.i ordered on line and every time I TRY to put them on, I catch myself humming....HES GOT SUCH A JOB TO PULL THEM UP THAT HE CALLS THEM DAUSY ROOTS. All the best.
Paisley, sounds to me that you need to get an appointment asap with a Lymphodaema Clinic. From my personal experience black support stockings with inside leg zips 'concertinaed' and cramped my legs so were quickly replaced by JOBST FarrowWrap Classic plus Farrow Silver Liners. Although a bit cumbersome initially, they did the trick and returned my legs to as near normal for my age. The clinic supplied my GP with the necessary measurements and paperwork to enable the prescriptions to be lodged with the local pharmacy.
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as would gladly rip off legs for a new set. The swelling is expanding and the hospital got so pissed at the GP because even after I came out of lockdown and actually got an appointment at my GP practice, they refused to measure my legs for the stockings, saying they don't know how, even the practice nurse didn't know.
Update
update
Update
Update, update post surgery...
