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Not getting any help

Posted , 5 users are following.

delvon
delvon

I moved house in December last year I was already being treated at the hospital where I lived for osteoarthritis of back, knees and feet I also have metatarsal problem in my left foot and had some injections ino it to ease the pain. As I'm in another area quite away from where I livd before I had to cancel any appointments I had at the hospital and also change my doctor. I have not been lucky here and have not been able to continue any treatment as the new doctor just gives me pain killer which some I have had to stop as made me quite ill asked to see specialist as new hospital and again no luck even ask to be sent to podetorist for advise on foot supports ect as my feet have changed quite drastically. I'm in pain at night with my back and lose a lot of sleep, can hardly walk at all by mid afternoon, getting out of bed and to the bathroom is agony and I often lose my balance. Does anyone else have this problem with their doctor are they trying to save money I wonder? I'm 67 yrs and like to be active I feel like giving up the ghost, can anyone advise me please?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • sandra1952
    sandra1952 delvon

    Posted

    Hi so sorry to hear of your pain when you go to the Dr again insist you get help like you did before, failing that see another Dr at the practice sometimes another Dr maybe more reasonable  hope you get sorted out   Best Wishes Sandra

     

  • joy47826
    joy47826 delvon

    Posted

    I deal with bodywide OA and I'm 76 and I'm not giving up.

    I've had MRI's and want no back surgery, one hip replacement was enough, too much as I'm left with complications.

    My knee is worse, feet and ankles too but I wear supports and use topicals that help a lot and use MANY supplements for OA.

    Magnesium is vital, Vit D3 and some quality calcium....

    I've worked out a good system for my issues and know I'll never be what I was less than even 10 yrs ago.....

    Nutrition is important, docs won't talk about that one.....Some stretching is critical and light exercise.....

    There is SO MUCH we need to do and not wait for the docs and the drugs, not my cup of tea for sure.

    There is a lot of info for OA help.J

    • delvon
      delvon joy47826

      Posted

      Hi Joy, could I ask you where you got your supports and are they for your feet? I have had inserts but they no longer help. I have used topicals but they do not seems to help at all. Once I get going in the morning I take my dog for a walk around the block to try and finish getting mobile and have a short while where I can get about but alas it's down hill as the day goes on. Wouldn't it be great if they found some sort of cure! 
  • jessie51
    jessie51 delvon

    Posted

    Hello delvon,

    this is not good at all.  Could you firstly try speaking to another Dr at the practice you are now registered with, and ensure that  all your notes from the previous practice have been forwarded on to them, this can take a few week,  asking won't do any harm though.

    If all the notes are through and your new pactrice are still unwilling to continue the previous treatment,  how about ringing the hospital you had treatment from previously and having a chat with a secretary, see if they would forward you a copy of your notes to take into your new Dr, or / and have a word with your new Dr to tell him about your prior treatments, and ask why they were not being continued.  

    Lack of communication and information could be a reason this is happening but is no reason for you to suffer and your condition to deteriorate,  you must be able to keep taking exercise and keep mobile.  Losing your balance really does need to be looked into, this could as I am sure you are aware lead to fractures.

    If all fails,  a talk with Age Concern may help.  You could also approach social services for help at home,  aids to help you in and out of bed and using the bathroom,  remember all these things are to keep you safe and hospital admissions down.  Please don't give up,  there are other avenues to explore,  don't give up, speak up. 

    Regards

    Jessie.

     

  • debbie02705
    debbie02705 delvon

    Posted

    i agree with jessie , dont give up , you need to speak with the head doctor at the pratice your at now, and tell them that you want to  carry on with the treatment you were on ,you reallt dont want to go backwards , i dont think there saving money or they would pass you over to a consultant , more like they are doing things the way they think is better , but at the end of the day you have the choice , ask for what you want , your allowed , and the more fuss you make the better , good luck , 
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK delvon

    Posted

    Hi Delvon

    I've just come in from my Arthritis Care branch meeting and found this.

    Its absolutely ridiculous.

    I would say go and complain the the practice manager....say you are going to take the complaint further....see if that does any good.

    If you do go back to see the original doctor, ask for  a referral to the hospital {I know you say you have had}.....be polite but very very firm.....and just sit there....never mind her 10 minute {or 7 in some cases} slots....if she/he thinkds you arent moving they might be more likely to do something.

    As someone else said......Head doctor at the practice is another thing.....go and complain to him.

    The more fuss you make the more likely you aree to get  any joy out of this.

    What about {as someone said} ringing the secretary of your old consultant and talking to her.....they are usually good if you get them onside. Ask if she has any advice about what you should do.

    Citizens Advice bureau and see what they say

    Or PALS {patients liason} cant remember exactly.....but they take up complaints on behalf of patients.

    Those aren't necessarily the order I've just been typing as I've thought of things.

    Love

    Eileen.

     

    • debbie02705
      debbie02705 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      all too true ,eileen , its bad when you have to go down this road but people do , polite and possitive ,and take no rubbish , i had to do this with my son many years ago , after months of seeing people at the hospital , ihas had enough and put my foot down sharpish , told the "doctor to xray today and review today " he did just that , the result was my son had 6 week hospital stay and a 5 hour op , many many meds , and 50 % of his last year at school , as if that  wasnt enough ,we were told that if we hadnt put our feet down we would not have had a child within a week or so , the whole problem took from april to september  , no one should ever be fobbed off , 

       

    • delvon
      delvon eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Hi eileen64, thank you for your response I think I will complain as I am fed up with being given tablets that make me feel like a zombie and so sick too. At least with the injections I had a good deal of relief for quite a few months
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK debbie02705

      Posted

      Hi Debbie

      I'm glad someone else is like me biggrin  I re read that post and thought you sound like a real dragon Eileen......but you do have to stand up for yourself.....not treat doctors or consultants or whoever like little godsconfused

      They are human and are not going through our pain

      Love

      Eileen

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK delvon

      Posted

      Hi Delvon

      There are loads of different tablets that can be tried. I know I was tried on tramadol......that spaced me out, and dihydrocodeine......I was on the ceiling with that LOL  I didnt complain......just went back to the doc and told her the side effects and she tried something else.

      But if you aren't getting anywhere be positive and put your foot down.

      Love

      Eileen

    • debbie02705
      debbie02705 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      lol yea, you got to do what you have to ,im so lucky my gp thinks the same way, every time i go to open my mouth to say some thing , he smiles and says i know smile  , got to follow the rules set out lol.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK debbie02705

      Posted

      Hi Debbie

      Your lucky you have a good GP.....mine is quite abrupt.

      I've got a lovely consultant {although I dont see him much}

      He knows what I'm going to say and says it before me biggrin

      Doesnt give me time to sit down before he says "wheres your list of questions Eileencheesygrin}

      Love

      Eileen

    • debbie02705
      debbie02705 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      yes i am lucky with my gp , i saw another gp about 6 weeks before i had my first knee done ,he told me that i was a long long way away from surgery and the pain was all in my head , i saw the consultant 5 weeks later who said he was putting me on the list ,it really needs doing , and at my age they make you wait till there is no other choice ,my consultant is also very nice , the last time i saw him we had a good laugh about me getting back to work , i work in a gramma school , he found out it was the same one his girls go to , i was told to get back to work and look after his girls , 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK debbie02705

      Posted

      Hi Debbie

      Sounds a bit like my consultant......it makes a lot of difference doesnt it?

      I think its dreadful being told the pain is all in your head.

      I'm an arthritis care volunteer for our branch and I've heard that before.

      At least you got to see the consultant who was sensible.

      Love

      Eileen

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