My “ urgent” gastro appointment that was stuck in system for three weeks , has now been sat on a desk waiting for triage for 2 weeks!!! Been told there is a back log!!!
Can’t get blood results as GP not seen them!
Prescription for steroids not sent to pharmacy this week!
GP appointments now reverted back to text/ emails!
Decided not to chase and phone anymore, will just keep popping pills, so fed up.
Sorry to rant!
Do not give up, contact the Practice Manager by email or phone and make a complaint about your treatment.
If necessary put this in your search engine and read up on the CCG.
NHS England » The CCG practice agreement
Alternatively, drive and park in the surgery car park with a big notice - saying I want to actually want to see a GP.
Are you getting coated tablets? Over the years Prednisalone have created havoc with my digestive system. If you already have issues you need to protect your gastric issues with Lansoprazole or Omeprazole, even with coated Pred.My diet is getting limited, all kinds of things trigger pain even though my colonoscopy was ok.My GP has gone to pieces too, everything has to be progress chased.
I had oesophageal spasms, painful and frightening after 6 + years of steroid treatment. I also have lower right abdominal pain most of the time. It is not necessarily cancer. Sips of cool water help during an attack and liquid Gaviscon for the oesophageal pain, that used to travel around my jaw as well. Good luck with your tests. It could even be an ulcer or simply inflamed mucus membranes.
Thank you! Yes on Lansoprazole, liquid Gaviscon and been on Omeprazole. Also have coated Prednisolone ( except the 1mg) on 7mg... had a history of ulcers and meds didn't help, stopped them all, cut out food irritants and was ok! Told GP ( 1st one out of 5!) Was put on steroids and Aledronic Acid and pain was back within weeks. 5th GP stopped AA about 2mths ago but have been on it since September!!
Hi
Have you tried a pro- biotic yoghurt with teaspoonful of Manuka Honey just before taking your pred?
Not the Manuka but I do have plain Greek yoghurt.
Plain yoghurt not the same.........Yeo Valley do a good one. Manuka honey. It is expensive but H&B often have offers on but 1 jar and get a 2nd one for a Penny.
I will try this!
Me, GCA and high doses, 'the proles' did not help at all, in fact the omna one of the side effects is aches and pains just like PMR.
Another patient, under an excellent rheumy told us about it.
No, but going to get some! Thank you!!! Xx
Check Holland & Barrett they often have offers on. It is expensive but buy the highest UMF if you can and a teaspoonful at a time no more.
Thank you!
Today on offer at H&B -buy one get one half price —-
Thank you!Looking now but so many!
Yes there are, but go for the highest UMF you can afford -as jinasc says you only need a little at a time.
UMF is a quality certification but higher concentration of MGO is beneficial, am I right?? Can't see UMF on anything????
Sorry...me again, looked at Manuka honey on H& B there are lots to choose? Hubby very keen for me to try some and supporting me. X
It really is a hell of a trap. I am in it too. Milk seems to give me some relief. The worry that it is sinister never goes away. I think the coated Prednisalone explains why my pain is in the appendix region. This is where it dissolves, my theory anyway. The oesophageal spasms have all but gone. My throat is narrow though.
I do drink a lot of milk, can't beat it...lovely! Thank you for reply, look after yourself xxx
You too! 🌼🍀
If it's any consolation, our surgery is just as bad. OH was recently texted to make a GP appointment following receipt of a hospital letter. It took him a week of phoning. On arrival (his 1st F2F appointment in 2 years) the GP didn't know anything about it, said there was no letter on his records. It turns out the letter had been received in April. A receptionist found it and actioned it. But now they have lost it. OH didn't get a copy. He's been trying to get a diagnosis for 2 years and it's been like this all the way.
It's terrible and getting worse, people are suffering!
When I had blood test and a vaccine Monday morning I asked the nurse how near to normal things were....we are back to normal, to which I repl ied, normal before covid was a full waiting room....today I'm the only one in it!!
Normal before Covid meant you could actually MEET with a GP
That’s a novel concept 😳.. but will it ever catch on! No, don’t answer that….
Still happens here - she insists ...
…not in UK though is she?
No! But it does show it isn't actually covid that is the problem. She caught it - as did my rheumy - but neither of them got it from a patient!!!! They had to blame the family
Our surgery must be unique all appointments are back to f/f….
Lucky you.., seeing a nurse or HCA is fine -but not so sure about GP!
We are lucky when I hear what’s going off elsewhere. I’ve even had all my covid vaccines at home (when they came to do housebound hubby’s). Must admit was most surprised at that.
You do wonder why some can do it, and others can’t! I haven’t actually needed a F2F GP appointment since covid - but I know I’m lucky… but as said bloods/vaccine appointments fine.
It's such a joke that after they text me with blood test appointments etc ...... "How did we do?"....and boy do I tell them.....but I doubt it even gets read. ....
Walking the dog yesterday, I was amazed to see my GP strolling through the village in his scrubs. Everybody was studiously ignoring him and I had to pretend to be very interested in my dog - couldn't be responsible for what I might say to him if I actually acknowledged him. He looked very well ...................
The magic word would have been EMERGENCY. Urgent is just "sooner than routine" so they have plenty of time with most waiting times at present - and your urgent will be looked at before the routine requests
Still on Pred after 11 yrs 
Still holding
Getting worried 
Still difficulty in tapering 
Worried
