Maintained - just...

[libbydaniels88]

So no prizes for guessing Libby Daniels is bottom of the class again this week for weight loss.

Amazed that I have maintained actually

So now, settle down friends, for a good old moan. Or tune out - I don't mind, at least I will feel better after it.

So, as you will have read from my earlier posts, im having trouble with leg pain, and since June 21st when it began, ive been firstly to the doctor, who said, fine, just take more cocodamols and ill refer you to musculoskelletal ( spelling?) department. Saw a pleasant man, examined, " you need physiotherapy" so duly got an appointment and for 3 weeks saw a pleasant girl who massaged, and sympathised and said "'cant do any more for you, ill refer you to musculoskelletal dept. I think you should have an MRI.

Meanwhile, on my own account ( and that includes BANK account £££'s!) I've seen an osteopath 3 times and continuing, but she says " you need an MRI" So, on Friday I went back to the doctor who said " yes you've been referred but ill give you a phone number, ring them to chase up your appt" .... Rang the number, " oh sorry but we've no record of any referral for you, go back to your doctor " ... Contacted doctor - " yes, " says jolly receptionist " doctor will call you back when he is free"

That was Thursday...hopefully someone has checked that dr is alive and not sprawled dead in his chair, as no one has contacted me...

Oh dear - Im sorry if I sound flippant - Inside Im slowly losing it. I googled my symptons( bad I know) - I totally fit the frame for bone cancer. Ok except losing weight, but even a bottle with a hole in it stays full if you keep constantly filling it, and this week I've constantly filled my "bottle" and maintained...

Im am SO FED UP!!!

Back to dr on Monday ... Im also tired, and scared, and worried.

And - sorry to have inflicted myself on all you lovely people. But it made me feel better.

I am starting the week trying to think and eat positively.

Good Luck for this week to us all

Xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Libby,

It sounds like an awful few weeks you did a good job to maintain, recognise that and a big {{{{hug}}}} for doing that.

Health issues are always a worry and the run around we get when trying to sort it does not help. I hope your GP is alive and ready to sort it tomorrow for you. You may need to make some noise, to get past reception, mention making a formal complaint and it seems to get things up and running. As a former senior nurse in the NHS any service hates complaints and bearing your time already served in trying to get a more formal diagnosis you are well within your rights.

I do hope you have a better day, you will feel scared and worried but hopefully tomorrow will get the ball rolling. If you can do something nice for yourself that might distract you for a short time.

And never worry about moaning, it is not. It does us all good to ventilate on this forum in a way that hurts no one.

Have a peaceful day and night.

😇

[libbydaniels88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions which are very helpful and supportive. I will be much more forceful at my next appointment. Its not good enough and its not as if im even a regular visitor to the doctor . Unfortunately, I think I have comitted the sin of turning 60- I was told when I was 50, its all downhill from here on in ...

but ! im not prepared to roll over and submit just yet - I just want a diagnosis which is more than...well...at your age ...etc

Thanks again. And thanks also for listening x

[Hidden in reply to libbydaniels88]

Hi Libby,

Go for it and may be do a timeline of when this all started and take it with you, bullet points will do.You need to record times have visited GP what happened, what other professionals you've seen and what they have suggested for further investigations.

Forwarded is forearmed, whatever our age we deserve the best service the NHS can offer even if we have to be a bit assertive to get it.

Good luck

😇

[libbydaniels88 in reply to Hidden]

Yes that makes sense. I will get this all written up, it'll be easy to do because I write a daily diary, so have a perfect record of when and where. If I can't get a word in edgeways,I can just push it across the desk to him. In fact, I think Ill do a couple of copies, could be useful and easier if I see someone else.

Thanks for the good advice x

[NiCherry]

Hi libbydaniels 88!

Sounds like you have been having a bit of a rough time! Do you have any indication of the cause of your pain? I note you have attempted a Google diagnosis.....not generally considered the best doctor in town!!! I understand that if you gp has any reason to suspect cancer of any kind, he/she is obliged to put you on a 2 week fast track for tests. As yours has not done so, I'd say Dr Google may be wrong!

Does the co-codamol work for you, at all? If you do not get adequate relief from them, there may be no point in taking more!

Go back to your gp and try to discuss your meds, and your referral. There are obviously other meds he can try you on. Ask that the referal is faxed to the hospital, and ask for the phone number of the department. That way you can chase then! Hopefully you will have answers following your musculo-skeletal appointment. However, *if* you don't, there are other route you can try, so don't give up!!!

As for weight, well - you know add well as I do that it's not easy when you are in pain. So don't beat yourself up, right now. Concentrate on getting well, and just try to eat healthily...!

Good luck!

[libbydaniels88 in reply to NiCherry]

Thank you - I havnt yet had any diagnosis- possibly thigh muscle strain has been suggested. I will see dr asap - its incredibly difficult to ask our doctors anything tho. They want you in and out in the shortest time and as for pain relief, all they say is " just take more .."

Its all very unsatisfactory, and im really cheesed now.

I will be being more forceful on my next appt.

X

[NiCherry in reply to libbydaniels88]

Try to make an appointment early in the morning.

Make a list of what you need/want and take it with you, and don't be afraid to ask!!!

If you feel that you are being fobbed off, ask for a second opinion, or ask to see the practice manager. As flossie358 had already stated, no nhs department wants a complaint!

Remember though, you have rights as a patient, but the nhs is under pressure - you may need to wait to see specialists and they can't always perform miracles!!!

X

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi Libby,

The NHS at it's wonderful best! It seems to be, unfortunately, that those who shout the loudest and the longest, get the most. Time to stop being polite and patient (excuse the pun)

On the self diagnosis, before I was diagnosed with cholecystitis and gall stones, I had myself at death's door with liver cancer! Be warned, if we don't have MD after our name, we're probably pretty naff at diagnosing

Good luck getting your leg sorted and well done with managing to maintain

[Portlandprincess]

Hi Libby, so you've been a patient patient.....time to be impatient...time to go back ....with a friend if possible...as for worrying about the possibilities....let's just say that action is the way forward, not growing grey hair!...let us know how the next appointment goes...