GP - what does it gain?

January 24, 2013 by helenhamill | 7 Comments

I have to start by saying that my GP is a lovely woman. She is incredibly kind and would have fitted in perfectly to the type of and role of the GP 40 years ago.

The main problem is she works in a fundholding practice and manager is restricting to 10 min slots – which is fine for some appointments, but not for people with complex health! And bear in mind that’s 10 mins to listen, talk, prescribe and write notes!!

But her personal downfall is that her paperwork and her referrals are so unrelated to her actual sit downs and chat you that she forgets how bad your back is, how much pain you are in. She doesn’t seem to relate the drugs on your chart and the pain clinic procedures that you have as an ongoing sign of how things are for you.

Today the aim is:
to fill her in about the update on what tests cardiology want to do now,
to let her know how I got on with the neurologist, and to let her see WHY I have doubts about that relationship and any future value of seeing that man
to ask her how could SHE locate a neurologist who has verified experience with arachnoid cyst AND chiari malformation
to tell her the LEVEL of pain that I am in – and that if this faffing about with neurology is going to continue indefinately that I need someone to help with pain control- a pillow, a cane, a brace. ANYTHING.
To ask her in situations when am in acute pain, as I was yesterday, what can I do? She has already told me she has no experience of chiari malformation- but she is very human – surely that will make impact?

Well am HOME now.
I think appointment went well?

I got to tell her about cardiology tests next week

I told her about neurology, and she said that neurosurgeon should be recalling me soon, and that we may have to have a multi disciplinary appointment. But advised wait to see when Mr Awful Appointment has read scans what he proposes, before moving on…

She upped my pain daily cocktail for my “car accident” lumbar back as my long term pain procedures lasted 3 months this time!!

She verified that sadly this happens. You become tolerant to procedure – so the pain of having both sides of my Lower back catheterised and ablated under Gas and Air only allowed me to lower pain meds for 3 months.

So back indefinately onto Cocodamol- the big ones with my current mix.

She also did decide FINALLY that accident or not, we should independently see an orthopaedic- as she fEELs that chiari could not be related to or exacerbating lower back pain.

She says physio will send for me – so I pointed out that she’d need to put in the Chiari malformation on form as it may have a relevance to who will do what.

She said this lady would probably refer me to OT who may suggest pain management aids…YAHOO!!!

We also decided that given fact that there are massive pain spasms, I could at these times go to A+E and possibly get morphine injection – as nothing else can be added into the regime.

Am genuinely maxed! :
Robaxin
Co-codamol
Tramadol
Voltarol.
All for back and the later two for headaches! And all at the maximum prescriptive levels!!

We then decided to be make repeat appointments fortnightly as there are so many issues we need to update on

PROGRESS!
She saw ME!
GETTING somewhere!

Hx