Pain

Paddyanne, so sorry to read about your daughter. I’m sure you’ve all tried everything but - has she been assessed by a consultant rheumatologist? I started with pain, exhaustion, stiffness, swollen joints etc at 25. Was finally referred almost 20 years later. Got a proper diagnosis and treatment. You’ve probably done all this x

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I was referred to our NHS Pain Clinic by my GP because I didn't want to follow his suggestion of patches because they are addictive and similar to Morphine.
There was a 12 week waiting list.
Then I had to have another xray, although I'd only just had one, which involved more waiting for the results. Then I was offered patches and a top-up bottle of liquid morphine. I was refused an MRI scan and discharged.
I am in my 80s so assume it doesn't matter if I get addicted as I won't be taking the medication for long.
I told my GP he obviously thought I was 'too old to save' and was sent a very strong letter from the surgery manager rebuking me for aggressive behaviour.

I was horrified when the GP made the comment that old people should expect to be in pain! I was about 65 at the time and told her that surely it was important to help people to keep active and make the most of their retirement years! Went down like a lead balloon ?. Up until then I liked and respected her.

She later insisted that a recurrence of the skin cancer I’ve been plagued with for twenty years was inflammation! I had to argue with her for a referral back to my oncology dermatologist. Unfortunately I was right!

Unfortunately changing surgeries is not so easy as three of the larger surgeries locally went into total lockdown and mine is only partly out now. The receptionists now practice triage, after a two week course, and an email was sent out saying we have to accept their decision.

So many people are trying to change surgeries that it’s quite chaotic. Ours went rapidly downhill when they employed a ruthless finance manager unfortunately.

I go in tomorrow to have my gall bladder removed with keyhole surgery, as a day case. Hopefully once I’ve recovered I’ll get my oomph back and will look into changing GPS.

Shame as initially it was in a converted rather ramshackle detached house, and seemed to function ok. It’s all gone downhill since they moved into a purpose built surgery with all the bells and whistles.

I think pessimistically I suppose, that changing GPs is fruitless. There are moves afoot in my area, and I suspect many, for surgeries to join together in big hubs, which are run by private companies. No such thing as a “family doctor” of old.
The epidemic has hastened a change that was coming anyway, where traditional GP roles are changing and HCAs, nurse practitioners, and para medics are now carrying out tasks previously done by a doctor. I bet nobody’s had a GP home visit lately?