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ENT question

Posted , 8 users are following.

MackH
MackH

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help me shed some light on what actually happens in an ENT appointment regarding Ménière's? My doctor thinks I have Ménière's and I was referred on 4th October 2016. I contacted the hospital to see how long the NHS wait time was for an ENT appointment and was so shocked to find that it is 18 months. I am considering paying private for it, the initial appointment is £160 and I was wondering what tests will the ENT consultant send me for as I am worried about the cost.

I have already had a brain ct scan done and it was all clear. I am taking serc 16 three times a day and so far it is helping greatly with symptoms.

Should I wait the 18 months and remain on these meds or continue with a private appointment?

I also have tinnitus and at present have a bad cold so my ears are very bunged up and humming is loud.. I difinately understand the phrase 'silence is deafening' now... as it drives me nuts. Plus I am worried about my hearing. I am 39.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • pat99554
    pat99554 MackH

    Posted

    Hi  I was not prescribed anything until I saw the consultant who then prescribed serc 16 three times a day.  So you are doing better than I did, you are already on the recommended med for menieres prior to seeing the specialist.  I guess things have moved on.  I am coping well with the med plus the balance retraining exercises.  I had to have my ears checked when I had the bunged up feeling and now put olive oil drops in my ear and use nasal spray when its really bad.  However... I guess you need to be sure if its menieres. 
    • MackH
      MackH pat99554

      Posted

      Thanks for the very interesting reply. Serc 16 was the first medicine prescribed on me at emergency care as my initial attacks were so severe. I just wish I knew if it was Ménière's or not. I suppose as long as my symptoms are under control I can at go about daily life as best as I can. I will ask about ear drops and nasal spray. Thanks again.

    • suleiman_71117
      suleiman_71117 pat99554

      Posted

      Hi does serc really works and what kind of nasal spray I will try any thing ?
  • carol04816
    carol04816 MackH

    Posted

    Wow,

    We complain here in the states if we have to wait a month for a specialist. A person could get really sick in 18 months. And suffer. I hope you get in sooner than that.

    • MackH
      MackH carol04816

      Posted

      Thank you Carol. Yes there seems to be a huge back log nowadays in ENT waiting time. I phoned a private ENT surgery and was offered an appointment in two weeks. Still considering what to do.
  • mistibluey
    mistibluey MackH

    Posted

    Hi Sharn

    Are you sure they didn't say 18 weeks and not 18 months? Under the NHS constitution you are not supposed to wait longer than 18 weeks from referral to a consultant, to starting consultant led treatment.

    Please check with your GP.

    Regarding what happens at the ENT appointment, I am shortly going to start a new thread detailing what happened when a friend was referred. This may not be the same as your or other people's experience, but it should give you an idea of what to expect.

    If you can, try to get referred to a multi disciplinary balance clinic within a good hospital.

    Best of luch and best wishes to you.  Misti

    • MackH
      MackH mistibluey

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your reply. My GP said it would probably be about a years wait as he said 'ENT is like a third world country at the minute'... he told me to phone the hospital and see where I am on the waiting list. The ENT receptionist said I was at the bottom and it would be a 15-18 month wait. I re rang back to see if there was a cancellation list I could be put onto and they said they work from the top of the list down and seeing as I was at the bottom it was looking like I was more than a 18 month wait..

      An 18 week wait I could handle but 18 months is crazy. The NHS is in huge trouble at the minute and I think it effects all parts of the UK.

      My doctors said he had to fight for a 70 year old man to get fitted with a hearing aid and he had been waiting on ENT appointment for 8 months.

      I wish things were different for everyone and would much rather a seventy year old was seen before me.

    • MackH
      MackH mistibluey

      Posted

      Hi,

      I checked online and it stated that the wait time to see a consultant should not exceed 18 weeks as you already mentioned. I phoned my hospital today and said about the 18 week wait time and they said that hasn't applied in years.

      I asked out of curiosity where I was on the wait list. After a million security questions she stated that I was at the very bottom and it would be 20 months until I was seen. (I don't know how I have gone from 18 to 20 month wait)

      She said I was in the routine wait list and that the average wait time to see an ENT consultant was 2 years. If I was lucky I might get get seen by March next year (2018)... crazy!

    • suleiman_71117
      suleiman_71117 MackH

      Posted

      Hello

      If you don't mind me ask what country you are from

      Here in the USA the most a month and believe it in the third world country most the times same day !!

    • MackH
      MackH suleiman_71117

      Posted

      Yeah I thought it was a starange reply also from my doctor regarding the third world. I am in N Ireland. I contacted a private ENT and I could have an appointment within two weeks at £160 before any tests.

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