surely not the exeption that proves the rule.........

[alangardner]

sorry for the long blog , but , it may go some way to explain ---- at the beginning of last year [ feb ] my lady was feeling unwell and lost 3.5 stone out of 11.5 within 5 weeks ,we went to see our gp [ excellent man ] , she was duly admitted to hospital via gp's surgery for three days also suffering with severe constipation the 'treatment '----ha ha ha ---started after two days !!! on the third day we were told that 'there is nothing more we can do ' and they duly discharged her tablets for constipation --no blood tests were done at any time -- within 6 days she had to go back to the gp as she was constantly hot --I had to aim a fan on to her 24/7 [ this while there was 7 inches of snow outside -- she also had breathing problems , I called the gp out and after examination he arrainged for an ambulance to take us to the other hospital in the trust , where she was found to have a plural effusion -- 5 litres of fluid was drained in two days -- we was then referred to barts and she was admitted and operated on within 10 days for this and them referred back to our own hospital for follow up treatment --- her thyroid problem had been diagnosed by this time and was being treated ---- she was then admitted again to hospital and treated for 5 days ,but , on discharge was not given or prescribed all of the medications she should have [ ongoing complaint ] we then received a call from our gp saying that he had received a cqll from the endo at the hospital asking for the patient to stop ALL medications - which I flatly refused to do [ our gp agreed ] ,after a meeting at the hosp with the endo ,pals manager and the clinical manager I instisted on a second choice referral to barts , this appointment was completed within 2 weeks. the SPECILIST we saw [ dr w --contact me directly if you want full info ] was excellent went through all of previous history/treatment/as well as everything else then arrainged for a weekly blood test for EVERYTHING [ including t3/vitd /vit b12 etc ] via our gp for 6 weeks , our gp then gets the results within 48hrs , he has been in constant contact with her with the results and meds have been adjusted twice during this time . on Monday we had our second visit to dr w at barts and although they we very busy --- seemed like Piccadilly circus in the rush hour --- she gave plenty of time was not rushing us fully explained what was happening fully examined her as well as dicussed all other symptoms then stated that the treatment would have to virtually start from scratch as the endo that had 'treated '!!!!!!! last year was not an endo - but a diabetic specialist --- and the ongoing treatment will be checked via our gp and herself - to adjust any meds for a further 6 weeks after which she would be able to make an accurate assessment . I then asked if at that time what would be considered for treat i.e. ndt/armour or others that are not usually given through the nhs . she then STATED that ALL options would be open and if she recommends ANY treatment IT WILL BE GIVEN . needless to say we came away knowing that we now have a specialist [ as well as a gp ] who know the meaning of the 'CARING PROFFESION ' . I would have no hesitation in recommending dr w to anybody -- I have already contacted louise at admin -- if this can happen why oh why do so many people throughout the country have to suffer from incompetent / ignorant / uncaring so called proffesionals that only go on to compound their symptoms and conditions because if some can do it correctly there should be no reason why this cannot be the 'NORM' rather than the exception .....I think a few brownie points AND a BLUE PETER BADGE for these PROFFESIONALS is well within order .......from a very happy bunny .....alan

[Hidden]

Alan, It's so good to hear a good news story so thank you for sharing this. Your perseverance is it seems paying off and your wife is lucky to have you. That is what has to happen so often - we must keep on searching for answers.

I wish you both continued good luck.

Jane x

[alangardner]

thank you , as a pessimistic optimist I fell that surely for every bad experience there are another ten good ones and all should be shared ---- the good will always prevail ----

[Hidden]

What a horrible experience for your partner and to be failed so badly. I'm pleased that better treatment was received and do hope that she's on the mend.

Agree with Jane, we do need to hear these good stories to realise that there is hope of getting good treatment.

[alangardner]

thank you for your comments , but , the experience is helped when friends/family etc. support ,not only the person concerned but also those of US that suffer on the sidelines ----- that way WE can all be strong in the right areas that we need to be !!!!!!! always remember WE WILL ALWAYS GET THERE IF WE PERSEVERE WITH THE CORRECT INFO AND USING THE CORRECT PROTOCOL AND RULES .....I only hope that through our experience we may be able to help others in similar situations -------its called karma----LoL alan xxx

[LouiseRoberts in reply to alangardner]

*like*

xx

[Hidden]

Alangardner...am stunned..wishing you the strength to stay vigilant your good instincts keep you strong and your lady gets her health and life back soon.

I hope the diabetic specialist gets a severe wake up call. All the best with that.

Thanks for the update take good care of yourself too. wyn

[Moggie]

Well done and good luck to both you and your lovely partner for sticking with it and not being afraid to ask for a second opinion when you felt it was necessary. Gut instinct can be a wonderful thing as can perseverance.

Wishing you BOTH well.

Moggie x

[Confused77]

Alan, Jane is right your wife is lucky to have you. I'm so glad you have found a good specialist after all that truama and that your GP is supportive. Have you made an official complaint about the other Endo? If so, good luck. Best wishes to both of you.Lynne

[alangardner in reply to Confused77]

yes I have and it is still ongoing.....but as I am known as the haemaroid [ I have introduced myself at various council meetings -- when I was the chair of the local residents ass. ---- sounds slightly better -- !!! think about it ......else a bulldog chewing a wasp ] ====== one problem with your reply please please please do not ever call the idiot that we saw as an 'endo' the --instructions he gave our gp was at a time when he had NEVER even seen / examined or even met the patient [ my lady ] -----defies belief in my estimation..... I can therefor empathise with so many others that suffer from these so called professionals ..... we hope you are getting the same level of help that we are .....take care YOU WILL GET THERE ....LoL alan xxx

[Hidden]

You have to have an Endo that specialists in thyroid. My first Endo was a "Professor" but of Diabetes. A lovely chap who knew all about diabetes but not thyroid. When I raised concerns with anyone they kept saying "but your with the Professor!". He missed Hashimo's and possible pituitary tumour. I was with him one year .

Referred myself to new Endos at a teaching hopital. Totally different experience. Know what they are talking about, I do feel they genuinely want to get things under control for me.

Made me feel good about the NHS. Shall have full diagnosis 28 August.

Good luck hope you get the right treatment

[tigger in reply to Hidden]

Chickens 12, do you have any info on your endo to share? I am looking for an endo, am being refferred to one locally, which my daughter was seeing and he seems ok, but maybe not thorough enough and will go anywhere, especially as its not just for me, but my husband and 2 kids too, but my daughter is going to Uni in September to Bangor in Wales! Thankyou!

best wishes sharon

[alangardner]

as in all things you can be a rocket scientist but, you will never be able to sweep the streets properly..... why have you got to wait until august ??? and what hospital are you going to ...... in my and also everyone that I have spoken to [ in and outside of ] barts has nothing but praise .....and lastly the answer is that professor d does specialise in thyroid problems [ only ]....if your going there you wont have any major further problems ----my opinion LoL alan

[tilly83]

Might be worth contacting your regional journalist and talk about difficulties you had and how they have been resolved and then how important it is for people to find out about thyroid symptoms - name this site.....

[alangardner in reply to tilly83]

maybe a good idea for the future , but as my local hospital trust is the one in the nation news over the past few days as the one that firstly discharged a pregnant lady suffering from appendicitis and then when she was admitted some days later she was operated on by 2 [two ] trainee surgeons who removed her ovary instead of her appendix ------ she subsequently passed away ...unfortunately --- I think that our problems would take a back seat at this time ......but I will muse over this for the future it is a good idea....alan

[tilly83]

Terrible story..... but worth keeping notes on what has happened and take them while you are with endo - I always do this, so I don;t forget what is being said and then I write them up... was journalist for 20 years. It works very well.

[alangardner]

the good thing is it is my lady that suffers from the ' brain fog ' and I am always with her at all appointments and I am [ if I say so myself ] a damb site better on the ball and ---at times-- lucid and I NEVER allow myself to be bu##s##t#d by anyone ---I call it setting my feet into concrete ----- I have in the past insisted on my own consultant [ other probs ] finishing with ME first completely before seeing the next in the line ----- and did not leave until I was happy [ I abhore specific times per appointment ---- that's like you asking how long the piece of string is in my hand -----as all will and are different and therefor will take varying amounts of time .....

[tigger]

Alan, what a man!!! I wish I had a husband that was as caring as you, its the other way round in our house and myself, my husband and both grown kids have hypo!

I would very much appreciate it if you could send me the details of your endo, my family have gone through about 10 or more so far, well if you can call them endo's!!! Thanks Alan.

best wishes sharon