Not happy

[Poppylop]

I had a missed phone call from the hospital today, when I rang back it was a recorded message saying that Oxfordshire hospitals has tried to ring and will try again, I panicked because I had a mammogram yesterday, and they said they would ring if there was a problem, but my friend said why not ring rheumatology to see if it's them. It was them cancelling my appointment for 19th september and making another appointment for sometime in October, I said this was not good enough as I am supposed to be an urgent referral, she said the consultant had requested that they move me from the GCA clinic to the arthritis clinic. It's ridiculous, I havn't got arthritis. I explained that I'm supposed to be being checked for GCA, and that I have PMR, she just said she's not medical and is only doing what's on her screen, I asked if I could speak to someone medical, she said someone will be in touch. I feel like they are really messing me about, all the doctors i have seen since Monday are under the impression that I will be seen urgently. If no one rings me tomorrow i will speak to one of the doctors at the surgery to see if they can help.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Back to the surgery and make a fuss.

A fundamental problem - here where I live too - is that the appointments are not made by the doctors who understand the disorder being referred but by a clerk who only sees "rheumatology". And things are dictated - but not checked. So that similar sounding words that might make sense (or not) get mixed up.

[Thelmarina]

So frustrating. Hang in there and push for what you need. Mistakes are made and you don’t want to be one of them..🌺

[Brantuk]

Yup - I've been through this too with several doctors, ambulance people and admin staff over the last 4 yrs. "Arteritis" is often confused with "Artheritis" amongst all the less informed, admin, or non specialist doctors.

What I do the moment I sense a misunderstanding is refer to my GCA as "large vesel vasculitis". It soon focuses them when I explain that my immune system is attacking the large tubes attached to my heart and organs from the inside.

Once they realise it's a chest complaint it seems to suddenly elevate to a priority and proper doctors are soon on the scene. Hope that helps

[Daisy-daisy]

Oxfordshire is awful, awful, awful. I have been tortured this year with misdiagnosis and in competence. Your only option is to be a complete pest and cry over everyone. Well this is my experience. Recovering from a private hip replacement which I would still be waiting gor in inhuman agony if left to the NHS. I'm in the throes of putting together a complaint.