Fed up with medical things

Oh and I forgot to mention. The rib cage issue was caused by immobility in the knees. As I couldn't kneel or bend knees I had been bending and reaching too much with my right arm and it tore all the muscles. And it's just never got better - keeps going again. I'm sure my bottom ribs are just not attached! So I had been in the process of trying to get a referral about that too. It's never ending.

I have been in a state of disbelief for the past few years that no one would do anything. I was fairly fit 3 years ago, despite restricted walking. And it was predictable it would have knock on effects.

And when I went to A&E to get the foot x rayed, I was trying to explain to the nurse that it wasn't because of the foot that I was in the wheelchair, and I had knee problems and rib problems as well and she said - just go to your GP then. So I said I'd already done that and she doesn't know what the rib thing is. The nurse then said - I think you're overthinking things.

Overthinking things! That made me so angry - you try having two knackered knees and two bad feet and a knackered rib cage - that is not overthinking - it is too many medical things going on at once (and they're all interconnected but they will only look at one thing at a time!).

So I had to vent about that. I hate that 21st century phrase "overthinking" anyway. It always sounds like an insult. You're overthinking things. No I'm not - but nobody else is thinking at all about the connection between things!

Why do the GP and Physio not want to refer you to orthopedics? What is actually wrong with your knees if not arthritis?

I think them saying too old for a procedure when your mid sixties seems very harsh . I van see why you were annoyed.about that . I take turmeric with black pepper for arthritis- although mine is very minor - but I dont know if thatbwill give you a little relief ? Keep on at them for more treatment ! Thinking of you .

It really is a “ post code lottery “ with the NHS.
One of my friends saw the physio at our surgery for a painful hip within the last month. She was sent for xray and now this afternoon she has an appointment at a private hospital to see a Consultant, all paid for by the NHS.
The same thing happened with me, at the Consultant appointment I was told that I needed THR and given a date two months ahead, unfortunately Covid happened and I waited 8 months, not the years in some parts.
The same is happening here with cataracts.
The opticians make a referral to a private clinic and the first eye is done within weeks with the second one scheduled and carried out 6 weeks later.

I have nothing but immense sympathy with you, your life is on hold and seems likely to be so for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps your MP can help.

I would say it is absolutely unacceptable to leave a person in this condition. You have a right to decent health and years ahead of you.
Can anybody advocate for you? Do you have a decent GP? If not, can you change?
Do you have sufficient funds to go private? Sadly I pay a small fortune for private Physio. She left the NHS,couldn't take it anymore. Money well spent.

Goodness, gentleshores, you are in the wars.
Could your GP help you through this minefield- or is there a practice nurse who could give you some short term support?
I hope that things improve for you soon.

I'm just wondering why the OP is meeting with such consistent lack of support. Problems (unspecified) with knees, ribs and now feet. Wheelchair and mobility scooter all bought by her. Is there something else going on?

Aveline

I'm just wondering why the OP is meeting with such consistent lack of support. Problems (unspecified) with knees, ribs and now feet. Wheelchair and mobility scooter all bought by her. Is there something else going on?

Sorry, probably being being dim but what do you mean?

I dont think the medics are looking at the whole person. On a recent visit to the pain clinic, I had the temerity to suggest mind and body are linked, it didn't go down well.

Yes, perhaps thinking about changing gp??
Firstly could you sit in a chair in your bedroom,rather than being on the bed all the time and starting to do little movements.
Is there a gentle youtube exercise you could follow?
Could you have a stairlift fitted?.
It seems to me an OT assessment is called for.

That is so hard gentleshores and a pity that things have been allowed to go on like that. Some ‘specialists’ are better than others. Have you the option to seek another opinion on your issues? I am not sure that is possible with the NHS but if it is, I would definitely do that. Good luck with your ortho appointment , hope they have some solutions.

Overthinking thigs - heavens above! I would have been livid.

I too am sick of medical things - the litany of problems I am currently facing is endless, and currently I cannot drive for 4 weeks (new pacemaker) and have spent £130 this week on taxis to medical appointments.

Could you try contacting the local authority occupational therapists and requesting a home visit to sort out proper aids and adaptations to improve your life. Tell them you are stuck in bed and your health is deteriorating. This is absolutly not good enough.

I would be inclined to contact adult social services for your area. They can come and do a needs assessment and if necessary arrange carer visits to help you with daily tasks.

I saw my gp last year, the physio sent me for a knee xray which showed severe athritis, gp wanted me to have a knee replacement...his words were you are only 79, still young enough to have the op.

and just to add what others have said contact O,T they will come to your house and see what aids you need..like second banister for stairs and hand rails at doors...

Still wondering why services are taking such a hands off approach.

Your GP has possibly forgotten that he should be offering you a duty of care.

Is there a background we do not know about because neglect comes into the equation?

Soozikinzi

I think them saying too old for a procedure when your mid sixties seems very harsh . I van see why you were annoyed.about that . I take turmeric with black pepper for arthritis- although mine is very minor - but I dont know if thatbwill give you a little relief ? Keep on at them for more treatment ! Thinking of you .

It is very harsh. I had another thread about the knee issues a while back. Mine isn't arthritis. It's torn cartilage in both knees. If I was 40 I'd have been referred for arthroscopy repair ages ago. There seems to be this blanket view that in "older people" arthroscopy isn't done because of some medical paper saying arthroscopy makes arthritis worse. Well I didn't have any arthritis and would have taken that risk had I been given the choice. So the only option offered is "textbook" - physio helps meniscal tears. But that depends on where the tears are and how big they are (had to do my own research).

GP has consistently said they can't refer to a Consultant for anything musculoskeletal - they can only refer to physio. I did see a private consultant last year as I was desperate and that was an awful experience too - he just said he wasn't operating and cartilage tears are normal in older people and just do physio (ignoring the fact that mine were caused by injury, not age). I had thought of getting a second opinion but GP said she would refer me to the musculoskeletal clinic after that, so I waited. Turned out it was just a referral to physio! When I asked about that, she said she can't refer directly to musculoskeletal clinic, only to physio. So I've spent 10 weeks trying to push with the physio. Which is wearing. And no I'm not getting support from the GP. It's all just can't do. When my ribs went again before Christmas I just thought I really need help - she just said I don't think there's anything I can do. I said well I need help! She said - try social services.

So I had been hoping this physio would help. I do now have an appointment at orthopaedics at the end of the month, but I'm not in the best condition now ............stress fractures take about 6 weeks to get better.

Usedtobeblonde

It really is a “ post code lottery “ with the NHS.
One of my friends saw the physio at our surgery for a painful hip within the last month. She was sent for xray and now this afternoon she has an appointment at a private hospital to see a Consultant, all paid for by the NHS.
The same thing happened with me, at the Consultant appointment I was told that I needed THR and given a date two months ahead, unfortunately Covid happened and I waited 8 months, not the years in some parts.
The same is happening here with cataracts.
The opticians make a referral to a private clinic and the first eye is done within weeks with the second one scheduled and carried out 6 weeks later.

I have nothing but immense sympathy with you, your life is on hold and seems likely to be so for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps your MP can help.

Thank you.

lafergar

I would say it is absolutely unacceptable to leave a person in this condition. You have a right to decent health and years ahead of you.
Can anybody advocate for you? Do you have a decent GP? If not, can you change?
Do you have sufficient funds to go private? Sadly I pay a small fortune for private Physio. She left the NHS,couldn't take it anymore. Money well spent.

Thank you. That is what I think too. It's completely unacceptable and I've been in a state of shock over it really for the past year. I've had more success talking directly to the Consultant's secretary at the cartilage clinic who said - get a referral and we'll consider you. But she did say - it may depend on funding ........... ie whether my area will pay the funding to Southampton. The stem cell repair injections only seem to be available on the NHS in one hospital.

lafergar

Aveline

I'm just wondering why the OP is meeting with such consistent lack of support. Problems (unspecified) with knees, ribs and now feet. Wheelchair and mobility scooter all bought by her. Is there something else going on?

Sorry, probably being being dim but what do you mean?

I dont think the medics are looking at the whole person. On a recent visit to the pain clinic, I had the temerity to suggest mind and body are linked, it didn't go down well.

I agree. Even my GP doesn't look at the whole picture. It's a rural area so there isn't much chance of changing surgery. There are different GP's in the surgery. I might try a different one but there are only a couple I find helpful and they are part time and hardly ever there. Plus they keep changing every 6 months or so!

Aveline

I'm just wondering why the OP is meeting with such consistent lack of support. Problems (unspecified) with knees, ribs and now feet. Wheelchair and mobility scooter all bought by her. Is there something else going on?

Well most people have to buy their own .........if you need help quickly. I could ask for a referral for a wheelchair assessment where you get some funding but that could take a long time. Most people have to buy their own stairlifts as well.

If we are on the scrapheap in our 60's then heaven help us.
My mobility issues are due to a train accident and good old osteoarthritis so I really feel for you.
It seems like you can only have one thing wrong at a time and some medics seem to think you shouldn't ask questions. I was fobbed off for years asking the cardiac teams if there was a link between atrial fibrillation and digestion until the happy day when one agreed with me. They don't like you chipping in with your own opinion of what's going on.
Perhaps, like me, you cannot afford to go private so we have to soldier on and hope somewhere along the line somebody will do something about it.
I really hope you get some help very soon.

loopyloo

Yes, perhaps thinking about changing gp??
Firstly could you sit in a chair in your bedroom,rather than being on the bed all the time and starting to do little movements.
Is there a gentle youtube exercise you could follow?
Could you have a stairlift fitted?.
It seems to me an OT assessment is called for.

That is a good idea, an OT assessment, thank you. GP didn't suggest that! I did have a rail fitted in the bathroom but that's not much help. I have a stairlift. It's predictable that you get knock on effects with lack of mobility. I've always tried to keep moving a bit each day but not being able to stand up due to the foot pain is a worry. I already have a stairlift. Had to get that urgently three years ago when my right knee went suddenly and I couldn't get up and downstairs. The left knee had been bad for a while but I muddled on through the pandemic and was reasonably fit and active until the right knee went. Both were injured at the same time just before the start of the pandemic, after a bad fall that twisted both knees. the right one improved on it's own. Then just tore very suddenly. I thought it was urgent then! I thought - I need new knees! Went to GP to ask to get on the waiting list for knee replacements and was told you can't have them - they only do them for arthritis. Just do physio. The left one locked last year and got even worse and still no joy - just do physio. It was someone on here gave me a tip about the stem cell treatment for cartilage and I've been trying to get that since. GP hasn't even heard of it.