h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I nodded knowingly at a news story today about the aforementioned long wait. Clicking on the story though made me laugh http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6457781.stm says the wait for a MRI scan is 14 weeks. That was how long I had to wait, however what about the wait to see the consultant again to discuss the scan? Thats just over a year. They soften the blow by telling you that they have a quick look and bump you up if it shows something serious. They also tell you that you can ask your doctor to get the interpretation sent to them, to be able to discuss it much sooner.

So I mentioned to my doctor that I had been told this and he said that was fine, just to let him know after the scan. So I did, I wrote a letter and got one back refusing to help and that I would have to see the referring consultant to get the rsults. So that was nice.

I do remember though at the scan confirming that they were doing my hips, oh no they said they were just scanning my pelvis. So the area with the pain wasn't scanned anyway.

So at my appointment, at the end of May, do I ask for my hips to scanned as originally planned? Do I fancy another 14 week wait for a scan at a different hospital miles away which requires Moonglum to take a day off to help me to get to - and thats before I was using a walking stick? Then wait another year for my appointment to discuss it?

Not sure I can be bothered! I think thats their technique though, to make us give up. To think everyone is talking about the 14 week wait, when no-one mentions that some of us then have a 52 week wait on top of that as well.

I don't know what to say, my next clinic appointment is for June, to discuss my test results. I can't even get to see my own GP, because when you ring the surgery they tell you the next available appointment and it'll be with a French or Spanish doctor, locums. If I want an emergency appointment I can see the triage nurse (and they are *much* better at taking blood than hospital doctors)

But at least we have the National Health service, it's a pain but better than nothing, or having to pay for everything

Kaz

I guess its better than nothing. I tried to tell our practise manager that the doctor I saw did not understand a lot of what I said, because of his lack of English. She suggested I move practices. He promised referals and none of them happened, but then I think I am better off without him. He never listens properly and even if he did, he misunderstands so much. Hes a partner at the practice as well, no hope there than.

Well I guess I have no option of keeping on trying to get treatment for something which started 21 years ago, might even get some treatment before I die if I am very very lucky - but I doubt it!

Sorry I am not more positive GB, but when treatment/diagnosis etc is something you have to fight for, you just get very tired of it at times.

You don't have to wait for him to refer you to a new doctor. You can just go to a different practice in whose catchment area you are, and ask if they're taking on new patients, and join them if so. They'll send to your old doctor for your notes, but beware - they don't always get passed on!

There are no other doctors in my area, changed practise once, after I was expected to have a smear with the door open and people coming in for a chat with the doctor doing it. So I am stuck with this one. All I want is for my doctor to refer me to the appropriate consultants, they tend to say they have when they havn't, its very tiresome. I can't face going to see my doctor anyway, for too phobic now.

I do hope you get some relief from your pain, Kaz

The pain is getting better, I shall be making some changes to my life in the hopes they will stop it happening again. After a while I can't though, just because I can't, the pain gets worse yes, but also I just can't. Like I can't get the messages to be listened to by my leg - thats the neurological element - its most strange. I shall explain all this when I finally get that appointment at the end of May and we shall see what happens.

Good luck for your appointment too, I shall look out for a journal around then from you. I think you had to wait too long as well. Oh you should have seen the physio's face when I told her it takes over a year to get the appointment to discuss your scan, somewhat shocked!

Keep us posted.