Ankle swelling and pain

I'm sorry that you are in so much pain and discomfort with the swollen ankle. However, in your position I would certainly be pushing for a face to face appointment with my GP and a proper examination, perhaps even considering a second opinion.

Whilst age might account for many medical conditions, it is not right that treatment to ease pain and discomfort has not been offered.

I wish you well in getting a proper diagnosis and the right treatment.

You really need to see the GP and it is quite wrong to say it's your age. It may or may not be to do with the varicose veins. Have you tried compression stockings? They help with varicose veins and pharmacists can measure you for the correct size. Also when you are sitting try to keep your legs elevated as that may help the swelling.

It makes me so angry when doctors etc use age as a reason for things, especially when in this case he hasn't even examined the ankle! It's a cop-out in my opinion. You shouldn't have to suffer pain with no reason given for it. You could ask for a second opinion or ask to be referred to the hospital so someone can actually see said ankle and give you a correct diagnosis. Maybe given going to hospital yourself when it is particularly bad, not to A and E but to the minor injuries department and see if they can help.
Hope things get better for you.

Could you ask for a nurse to visit you? A nurse may well be able to then persuade the doctor to see you.

My sympathies. I've had a very painful knee for 8 months now and I have been referred from physio to physio, I'm having an injection next week but I'm not hopeful because that will only mask the pain not fix it. Years ago the first thing they did was take an xray , they are just trying to cut costs but basically they are guessing ?

Hi CBT ,

You have my every sympathy .

The other gransnetters are right - you need a doctor's appointment and examination then a diagnosis and treatment - not to be fobbed off with it's your age .

I injured my knee about three and a half years ago .
I got the what do you expect at your age lecture followed by a useless physiotherapy session on the phone .

Everytime , I see one of those - it might be cancer / consult your doctor ads on TV - I feel really angry .
Are they going to diagnose life threatening illnesses on the phone as well ?

Wishing you lots of luck and hopefully your problem will get proper treatment .

Thanks.
My gut feeling was that this ‘diagnosis’ is just a guess. I should ask for a second opinion but quite frankly I’m too much of a coward. I think the suggestion of going to the out of hours centre one day when it is really swollen is probably the way forward for me. I know I should change GP surgery as mine is awful- long story but totally inadequate for the community it serves. However a new village Gp surgery has just been approved so I am sticking where I am until I can move there.

If it's your age why isn't the other ankle swollen, they are the same age? I had the same problem and was referred by GP to physio dept. and scanned. Some exercises solved the problem. Don't be fobbed off!