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[kerrieann]

hi all ive rang this morning to find out what happened to my second consultant appointment for lower back and hips and hips and i am almost speechless and so frustrated i gave them the choose and book no and everything they needed and they say iam not on there system and have not booked an appointment through them for anyone  i went on to explain that i have already seen the one consultant for my shoulder so how did i get there ? cutting a long story short they said there was nothing they could do,
i have just rung my gp and asked them nicely if they wouldnt mind sorting this damn mess out
sorry for the rant but iam fuming iam the sitting here in pain waiting for appointments that are not going to happen.   kerrie

[CLKD]

Let's hope that the referral hadn't reached them and that the GP can liaise so that you don't have to wait too long!  It seems a strange systme that the patient self-refers .......... OK if you have seen the Consulant previously but even so   

[kerrieann]

still no news from the gp who is meant to be sorting out this mess    apparently when i rang them today they are still trying to sort it out and asked me to call back on wednesday seems ridiculous to me.

[catdude]

Hi Kerrieann - just to say I had hip pain which was caused by my lower back problems so that could be what is happening with you. Mine was eventually traced (after several years) to arthritis and degenerative disc disease which in turn was causing sciatica, one part of which was a really painful hip.

[kerrieann]

catdude  they seem to have established that i have degeneration in lower back but blood tests show no arthritis but it certainly feels like sciatica that awful throbbing type pain in my hips so this is what i am thinking that a nerve is trapped just hope they get to the bottom of it getting sick of it now cant walk far at all and it sets it off  kerrie

[Rowan]

Kerrie still waiting for an appointment to see Consultant, its been over a month now since my Physio said she would refer me, nothing through the post yet, will give it another day and the ring surgery and see what they can suggest.

When the weather is hot and humid as it is now, it cause body swelling for me including feet and hands and it has made my lower left back hip and leg seem to ache more especially in the evening and when I go to bed. The swelling has gone by the morning and once I get up and have a bath it feels OK. I have been using freeze gel and its good for lower back and hot feet and ankles.

Walking in very hot and humid weather can cause problems even for some who don't have mechanical problems.

Do hope you hear something soon.

[CLKD]

I don't think there is a blood test to check for osteo arthritis, what they are probably saying is that you don't have rheumatoid arthritis.

DH is supposed to be referring himeself to physio - why not give the Dept a ring Silverlady - could you take a cancellation appt.?

[kerrieann]

yes i think the blood tests were for r. arthritis, so how do they test for another type ?
i have also been using a freeze gel and found it good but its so expensive and i have been using it 4 times a day, i bought mine from the chiropractor and i wonder if cheaper ones work the same ?

[CLKD]

Bag of frozen peas is just as good!

X-rays will tell how badly any joint has deteriorated during natural wear and tear.  Also the way a joint moves or whether there is crepitus (noise) on movement ........ your GP/Consultant should have moved all your joints/muscle groups ........ to find out exactly which bits hurt the most and where there is any lack of movement.  Physio ought to be able to teach you to move correctly, we all get into bad habits 

[kerrieann]

clkd, after reading your post it has dawned on me that my gp has never examined me at all ? i remember years ago being examined all the time maybe they are not soo hands on now i dont know
I did have all the xrays on my back but as you know iam still waiting to see a consultant and maybe he will examine me.  kerrie

[CLKD]

There are certain limb movements that can show how much stiffness a patient has developed.  Within those movements can determine the next 'step' in treatment.  Let us know how you get on! Could you take a cancellation appt. if offered?  If so ring the Consultant's secretary and make the suggestion.

[kerrieann]

the surgery are trying to sort out the original referral so they tell me    rather than re. refer, but the referral letter which asked for me to been seen re. shoulder, hips and back and i saw the consultant for my shoulder 2 weeks ago so i don't know why the 'just start again, i will give it this week to see if i get any joy.  kerrie

[CLKD]

How's the pain in the meantime?

[Rowan]

Have chased up my referral, it is in the system, but I won't be seeing an orthopaedic Consultant as apparently there is a shake up in the system and Consultants don't want to see patients unless its for surgery. This seems an odd situation as how would they know unless they actually see a patient and access what is wrong with them

I was told in phone call that it would be classed as pain management now and as yet they don't know who I will be seeing. I still have not had a diagnosis of what is causing the problem and Xray showed no degeneration in lumber region. I am sure if they suggest an injection, a consultant would have to authorise a MRI to see where the area is that is causing the symptoms.

This all seems a mess I have been trying to sort this back pain out for over six months now and to find out what is causing it, its all very depressing.

[CLKD]

WHAT!    ..... general practitioners went into Surgery to provide a service for patients at root level, referring to the various Specialisities as and when necessary.  Years ago injections were given, long before MRI was available.  If into the hip under general anaesthetic.