Appointment at hospital re rotator cuff - when !!

[CW1]

Hi,

Re
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Question1188103.html
saw the doc again last week. She's take me off anti infammatories ('cos they didn't work), she's not doing a 2nd injection ('cos 1st one didn't work), put me on stronger painkillers (which don't work), and said she was referring me to hospital as "urgent".

Had a letter from the surgery Friday which said I had to ring a clinic to make an appointment at the local hospital. The letter's headed "Appointment Request". 'Cos of the timing and they're only there between 10-12 & 2-4 I've had to wait 'til today to ring the clinic. They've now told me all that's going to happen is they're going to review the doc's notes and call me in a coupla days when they've decided (without seeing me, no mention of any scans to determine the actual injury !) if I need to go to physio, have another injection, or, god forbid - go in and see them ! So having waited yet another weekend, I'm no further forward.

Has anyone else had this ? I'm fast getting to my wit's end with this, I'm getting absolutely nowhere :(((

[icemaiden]

I truly Sympathise CW1.

Three weeks ago I woke up in serious pain in my left arm and shoulder blade. After being on strong painkillers and anti-inflammatories the pain now is bearable. My doctor reffered me for an urgent appointment for physio as they are the ones that will decide if I need an MRI or not.

It was marked as urgent. I was given an appointment 8th January 2013!.

Yesterday I went to London and paid for an MRI. I'm no orthapaedic surgeon but I can see I have a herniated disc. Possibly two. I could have waited months for the NHS to send me for an MRI. I just could not wait that long as I am in so much pain.

This will be the second time I have paid for an MRI because the waiting time was too long.

[CW1]

I'm seriously thinking I'm gonna have to go that route now, icemaiden. I've seen private MRIs are around £200, does that sound about right ? Mind you, the thought petrifies me ...

Never, at any point, has an MRI been mentioned by docs or this clinic. They sent me for an x-ray to see what is WASN'T, ie. arthritis, & only 1 doc has even asked me to move my arm - that was 5 weeks ago & it's got considerably worse since. The basis of the diagnosis seems to be my remark that the pain felt like someone had pulled my shoulder away from the socket & snapped it back ! Now it hurts when I'm not even moving & it's going down my arm, but no one's asked me since.

I'm assuming a scan hasn't been offered due to cost, but they'll be happy to do physio for who knows how long ? That's gotta cost surely ?! 'Specially as I found out today, this clinic "visit" the hospital from time to time to see patients, they're not based there. I just don't understand this mentality where they'll plough in feet 1st & "prescribe" a "treatment" that'll [probably] at best delay proper & relative treatment, & at worst, actually aggravate it.

I was in tears with it yesterday, partly exasperation maybe, so am now doubling the painkillers to the max (which I really don't like doing - if it's an injury & the pain's masked, how do I know I'm not doing more damage ?), & I'm gonna start taking sleeping tablets tonight. Am getting desperate. And NO end in sight ... :((

Best of luck with your appt next year - you have a glimmer of light at the end of *your* tunnel :o)

[icemaiden]

You are clearly suffering a great deal of pain CW1. And yes, the painkillers only mask what is causing it. If an MRI hasn't been mentioned at this point then I would take it in to my own hands to book a private one.

I can recommend a company directly opposite Waterloo station called Vista Diagnostics. Website is www.vistadiagnostics.co.uk. Cost was £275 for my neck region. You go home with a disc of your images and they send a detailed report to your chosen GP. You can book an MRI within days.

Had both my MRI's done there. Very quick excellent service. I needed to know what was causing such horrendous pain and it's better than waiting what could be months. It's well worth the money.

It will bring you peace of mind, (and a light at the end of your tunnel) and also, if anything does show up, at least you know what you are dealing with and can get the correct help.

xxx

[icemaiden]

P.s My X-ray only showed disc degeneration which I already knew about. It did not show my herniated disc. You need an MRI.