Fed up with medical things

I really sympathise.
My local hospital is Southampton too.
I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in 2019 and the only care l have had access to is the private care l have paid for myself, having given up waiting for an NHS appointment and feeling very worried as l know Afib can lead to strokes. And like you l am 'only' 65 it's all rather depressing and l live completely on my own which somehow makes it feel worse.
I suspect though it's not just Southampton health authority.

Gosh - how frustrated you must feel.
I wondered if there was an Ombudsman for NHS problems and Googled -- here is an extract from quite a lengthy answer ( and I haven't read most of it!)
Here's an extract
"
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman makes final decisions on unresolved complaints about the NHS in England. This organisation is independent of the NHS. For more information, call their helpline on 0345 015 4033 or visit the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman website."

It may or may not be helpful, but it's worth a try. If you decide to phone I suggest you prepare a written list of points that clearly explain you main problems beforehand.
Good luck!

Firstly could you request hospital transport for appointment
A random question are you able to get someone to rearrange things to downstairs for sleeping as a temporary measure get a commode or female urine bottle
Maybe request a good pain killers or injections
Do a social services referral for yourself to have a referral for an OT to visit they can speak to your to your GP to move things forward
Make a complaint to the medical body about becoming immobile because of lack of referrals
An OT maybe be able to get info for you or do a request for a stairlift dependant on your financial situation
You could speak to a chiropractor to come and see you at home and get an assessment for you at a cost
Finally I've had similar problems to yourself and have been taking a magnesium complex and have noticed a marked improvement in my pain and mobility levels
As a previous OT for social services it is sad that today it's he who shouts loudest gets heard but keep on fighting as you have and made progress wishing you luck xx

write a letter of complaint summarising it all and what medical solutions you expect and say at the beginning " i do not wish to make a formal complaint but will have no choice if progress is not made in dealing with my various problems itemised below.

And send it to the practice manager

Can your other half intercede for you? Make some changes in your house and attend appointments with you to explain how you are all of the time, not just at the appointment?

I had a blood clot in the lungs at the start of lockdown and was 5 days in hospital. Since then it has been walking, walking and more walking, if I try any other exercise and I used to love exercise classes, the last one being a Bellydance for Seniors, I can't do any now, but I can walk and that's the best exercise of the lot after a certain age. Now 80 and doing okay.

If you have any money, under £100 go to a private physio who can do laser treatment, ultra sound and even acupuncture, as well as hands on. My knee so improved. Locally NHS physio they don't even touch you just give you a leaflet! Good luck

Hi why not try a chiropractor sounds like your body is totally out of synch. Worth a try x

icanhandthemback

Are you hypermobile? It sounds a bit like the problems with your joints that my children have. If you are, you may need a rheumatologist rather than the musculoskeletal specialist. Similarly you might need a physio who truly understands hypermobility because you need different exercises to build gently up muscle tone gently. As hyper mobility is caused by a collagen problem (taking collagen doesn't help) your muscles would have found it hard not to decondition so it is a problem which just grows and grows. Less muscle strength equals more damage to joints and tissues so you need to rest. Resting causes more deconditioning so when you start to move again you get more issues. It is horrendous until you find someone who truly understands the problems. Gentle swimming or movement in the water can be helpful and it might be worth paying for hydrotherapy.

Not that I am aware of but I do seem to have quite a few joint problems and no arthritis. And what you say makes sense and yes it is a vicious circle.

Someone else suggested aquatherapy to me. I was quite hopeful about the physio when it started in Jan. Asked physio about aquatherapy and she just looked at me as if I'd suggested something weird and said - well can you get in and out of a swimming pool? I said no. And that was that.

I have enquired in our area and there isn't anything like aquatherapy .........

I've been in a state of shock over it really for the past year

Not at all acceptable. Please try to get support, there simply must be something , even if you have to pay for it. It's very hard to be assertive when you are worn down and in pain.

Mollyb

If you have any money, under £100 go to a private physio who can do laser treatment, ultra sound and even acupuncture, as well as hands on. My knee so improved. Locally NHS physio they don't even touch you just give you a leaflet! Good luck

YES

Does your gp give a reason for not referring you?

Nannyof4mummyof2

Firstly could you request hospital transport for appointment
A random question are you able to get someone to rearrange things to downstairs for sleeping as a temporary measure get a commode or female urine bottle
Maybe request a good pain killers or injections
Do a social services referral for yourself to have a referral for an OT to visit they can speak to your to your GP to move things forward
Make a complaint to the medical body about becoming immobile because of lack of referrals
An OT maybe be able to get info for you or do a request for a stairlift dependant on your financial situation
You could speak to a chiropractor to come and see you at home and get an assessment for you at a cost
Finally I've had similar problems to yourself and have been taking a magnesium complex and have noticed a marked improvement in my pain and mobility levels
As a previous OT for social services it is sad that today it's he who shouts loudest gets heard but keep on fighting as you have and made progress wishing you luck xx

I suppose I'm a bit nervous about complaining to the surgery in case I get treated worse! I already have a stairlift. Normally I can use it to go downstairs and sit in a chair but at the moment can't walk as far as the stairlift due to the foot. I could use a moonboot if it was just one foot but already use one for the other foot (long standing old injury there) so it wouldn;t be safe to walk with two on - very unstable. Just need to keep off it really for a while. I have to be careful about taking supplements due to being on blood thinners. Some can interact. I self referred to podiatry last year about my left foot hoping they could make some kind of special shoe - never even got a response!

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.

I agree, especially if you are in your mid-sixties.

Are you hypermobile? I wondered that too, as I've wondered whether I am as well. Years ago an orthopaedic surgeon told me I had 'long ligaments' and there was nothing he could do with my feet. It is a struggle getting any joined up thinking from the NHS, I think, and waiting lists here are very long but your situation sounds completely unacceptable, gentleshores and you shouldn't have to be struggling like this to get answers.
Your GP sounds negligent. Can you see someone else?

At a hydrotherapy pool or even the local swimming pool, they often have equipment to help people in and out of the water. Nowadays it is quite normal to wear a bathing suit under a towel coat from home to pool and then just keep the same things on to go home which saves all the dressing and undressing if you are disabled.

You could threaten to report your gp to the medical society if he/she has no justification for not helping you.

janipans

Does your gp give a reason for not referring you?

Just surgery policy I think. They even have a notice in the surgery saying, don't see the GP about anything musculoskeletal - self refer to physio. It was only when things got a lot worse last year I really pushed and they sent me for an MRI scan of both knees. But then still wouldn't refer me! So nobody's even seen the MRI scans!

I think we X posts there!

I self referred to podiatry last year about my left foot hoping they could make some kind of special shoe - never even got a response!
Again totally unacceptable! Podiatry services here are a bit odd in the way they are run in that, if you don't phone up for another appointment within six months, they will cross you off their list and you have to go back to the GP for a re-referral.

But even orthotic insoles and advice about what shoes are most supportive would help. Try phoning again.

gentleshores

janipans

Does your gp give a reason for not referring you?

Just surgery policy I think. They even have a notice in the surgery saying, don't see the GP about anything musculoskeletal - self refer to physio. It was only when things got a lot worse last year I really pushed and they sent me for an MRI scan of both knees. But then still wouldn't refer me! So nobody's even seen the MRI scans!

We can self-refer to physio here but the GP will also see you and send you for a scan or X-ray (even if the orthopaedic surgeons won't!).

Oh my goodness this is like a deck of cards falling isn’t it! Do you have family or a really really close friend who could advocate for you because I think you’ve gotten into such a state that you can’t advocate for yourself.

Health is both mental and physical -depression causes many diseases and many problems with our aging bones and muscles.

I’m really glad you’re talking about this because not saying your story will affect your health negatively as well.

Personally I believe it’s all about a good diagnosis which is why I do use my savings to go to London Cleveland Clinic for the auto immune disease that I contracted through years ago and I have been overjoyed with the care and I’m doing really well thanks to a fantastic specialist.

An advocate and if you have it spend it if you don’t then you certainly do need an advocate to speak on your behalf someone you trust that you can get the right to speak for you .

Do you have family or a really really close friend who could advocate for you because I think you’ve gotten into such a state that you can’t advocate for yourself.

Try contacting PALS, gentleshores
]]https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/]]

Sorry
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

Gentleshores, I do feel for you. You say in an earlier post in this thread that you feel you need someone to look at all of your symptoms together, not in isolation. There has been a huge amount of really helpful suggestions made here also, all good advice.

Last August I strained a tendon in my groin. I rested it too much and filled my time knitting. So I strained my shoulders and neck. So I decided to take up short walks - and my legs threw up phlebitis and varicose vein inflammation and the groin strain returned. So I got depressed and nervous indigestion flared up. GP diagnosis when I finally got an appointment (and she didn't even bother to see me just sent message via paramedic who did) was 'bad veins, bad luck'.

Two months ago, I consulted a classical homeopath. She listened and took notes of all symptoms. First to cure was the depression and the legs - no more problems. Then the shoulders and neck issues. Nearly all gone but treatment continues. Nightmares started and also being addressed. Itchy skin started and was dealt with and went.

Homeopathy might not be something you have considered in the past - but it does work. And it is holistic. And it does help the body heal itself of tears and stress fractures.

Whether you decide to do this route or not, I do hope you find the best way forward for you. All good wishes for your recovery.

Who would I go to to find out if I'm hypermobile? And what do they do about it?