NHS Rant

Cyanide

Cyanide

Cyanide

Soldato
Joined
5 Mar 2006
Posts
3,975
Location
Nottingham
This'll be my first proper internet rant so I'm quite looking forwards to putting my keyboard warrior skills to the test :D

Now this may start to sound like a medical thread but it isn't, I'm not looking for medical advice, I just want to vent my anger and maybe get some advice on what to do next (who to talk to rather than treatment)

About a year ago I injured my back. I did it at work but, I won't go in to detail here, there's no way of proving my employer was at fault. I had a month off and had physio paid for by my employer. Returned to work, whilst still receiving treatment, and was given a reduced load as I was still struggling.

Another month later I was back to full work, the physio had stopped and I was still in pain. Went to my GP who told me to take it easy and perscribed some painkillers.

A few months later and it's still bad and getting worse. GP referred me to the NHS physio but the waiting list is very long.

It gets to November and I can't work any more. My job involved a lot of manual labour and I just couldn't do it, so I left. Strictly speaking this wasn't of my own accord as I was going to be terminated on grounds of capability but they agreed to let me leave as it'd look better on my record.

Finally got to see the NHS physio just after this and he arranged an MRI scan for me. By this time I'm having days where the pain's so bad I can't even walk.

Had the MRI mid-December, got the results today.

And I've just been told there's nothing wrong with me. No disc damage, no muscle damage, no trapped nerves, no joint damage. I'm apparently fine.

So they've discharged me and offered no further treatments. I've been told that "Pain is subjective and you'll have to learn to live with it" and "it'd be best for you to get back in to work as soon as possible to help keep your mind off it"

I'm not being funny but if I can't walk because it's so bad then it's not something I can learn to live with. I've been looking for work but it's difficult at the moment as hardly anyone is employing and I need an office job yet have got a stack of qualifications in heating and plumbing.

I am seriously miffed at the moment and I just don't know what to do. Obivously I need a word with my GP but I can't see that he'll disagree with the hospital if they've said the MRI is clear.

Not having a good day :(
 
Sorry to hear that mate - sounds awful :( I guess all you can do is keep pestering your GP and maybe look into some alternative therapies like acupuncture.
 
scorza said:
Sorry to hear that mate - sounds awful :( I guess all you can do is keep pestering your GP and maybe look into some alternative therapies like acupuncture.
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The only problem with that is I haven't worked since November and savings are running out. Only allowed £50p/w jobseekers and, even though it's only just minimum wage, my wife works full time so we're allowed naff all extra help.

If I'd got the money I'd go private and probably have it sorted next week but due to the Government's age discrimination I just can't afford it.
 
PhillyDee said:
If its that bad surely some sort of temporary disability might be ok, especially if signed off by the doctor perhaps?
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Can't get any form of disability, already persued that avenue. My last chance for that was the scan showing something but as it doesn't I've not got a claim.
 
That's sad to hear.

I am currently in the same boat myself. Constant pain and can't do much but sit/lay all day for the last half a year but my doctor is just saying there is nothing wrong and therefore just go home and take some painkillers. Nice ey.

Hope you get it all sorted.
 
"Pain is subjective and you'll have to learn to live with it"

While true to a certain extent, if you are as bad as you say that would leave me seething.
 
Biohazard said:
"Pain is subjective and you'll have to learn to live with it"

While true to a certain extent, if you are as bad as you say that would leave me seething.
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The bloke I saw had a bad attitude. He seemed to think that I was just looking for an easy way to claim some benefits and that I'd been moping round the house all day not trying to do anything and that's why it's still hurting.

I'm out every day looking for work. I HATE being on jobseekers. I'm willing to take any work I can find but despite making 10-15 applications a day no one's offered me anything yet.

If I dose up on enough painkillers in the morning I can usually make it through the day still able to walk, albeit only just and it still causes serious pain. Some days I wake up and it's not too bad in which case I make the most of it and take a stroll around town simply because I know I need to keep active.

It just ****** me off that the bloke seemed to think "you're young and looking for disability for back pain, must be making it up. Back to your council house to drink your Stella"

:(
 
I have a similar thing with my foot, I was told I have an anatomical issue with my foot and I should wear bigger shoes. Despite me pointing out the fact that this lump on my foot came AFTER I kicked the bottom of someones foot in a football match.

Some days I can barely walk on my foot. :/

I know it's nowhere near the scale of your problem, but it really puzzles how I got the all clear when there is obviously something wrong as I have a massive lump on my foot.
 
Cyanide said:
It just ****** me off that the bloke seemed to think "you're young and looking for disability for back pain, must be making it up. Back to your council house to drink your Stella"
:(
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Which is probably a reflection on his day to day observations, more than on you.

However I'd consider

a) See another doctor
b) If that fails, consider writing to the practice manager
c) Contact your PCT

x) Find some money and go private
 
seek a second opinion on the MRI, or get one done privately if you're finances are that bad(it saves having to live off pennies for months)
 
Go back and ask for another scan...... They won't refuse you. Keep following it up.

I have terrible back pain sometimes, and I see a chiropractor for it, as there isn't actually any treatment for what I have, NHS or otherwise.
 
It's unfortunate to hear this, and I think you may have received some incorrect information.

I'm not an expert, but as far as a know a very high percentage of MRI scans don't highlight the cause of back pain or indicate where the pain is coming from. They should have made this clear, rather than stating "there's nothing wrong with you" which is insensitive.

The MRI scan hasn't shown anything, but that doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with you. Unfortunately, if they can't treat you for a specific diagnosable condition, all you can do is take decent pain killers and hope that you get better. There's just no effective treatment for the majority of back pain.
 
jamief said:
Which is probably a reflection on his day to day observations, more than on you.

However I'd consider

a) See another doctor
b) If that fails, consider writing to the practice manager
c) Contact your PCT

x) Find some money and go private
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Doctors at the same practice are usually partners and will stick together as such. Practice Managers are employed by the doctors directly so that's unlikely to help. PCT won't care either as long as procedures have been followed, they're made up of 80% office jockeys and 20% doctors and the doctors are usually tucked well away from the real world making 'medical policy decisions'.

Halfmad said:
Go to another GP and if you have to, transfer to another practice completely. It's amazing the difference this can make.
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This is your best bet. Try and get seen before your notes are transferred or make a slight error in your old practice information to delay the transfer. The reason for that is that doctors have to be quite wary of contradicting other doctors' previous findings/treatments and will quit often just go along with the previous doctor, which will obviously screw up your situation further.
 
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