Last night I had an MRI after referral from physio led spine clinic. Went to GP this morning due to new symptoms and big increase of some existing ones over 2 week period, after 4/5 weeks been ok from last ones occurred. I had kept daily diary and wrote summary to take as I keep forgetting things. At my surgery we don’t have a regular GP and see different ones every time so had to explain all again ( 4th visit since nov 2013) GP: " I think we have 2 things going on, some neuropathic issues and a disc bulging in spine, you will probably have to have surgery so we will wait until after surgery to then see how you are" Me: (holding back shock)" can I explain that spinal clinic think it is unlikely to be disc related in this area and whatever problem surgery is very unlikely due to risks and very last resort. I am concerned re neurological nature of symptoms and think may need to speak with neurologist." GP: " I am worried that if I do a referral it will be bounced back. We will do more bloods, back in 10 days for MRI results then see if your still having same will do referral. ( further questions about symptoms and past history of) Are you worried what it may be?" Me: " yes, any sort of neurological problem/ neuropathic. Pain may be causing this, I am concerned about MS" GP: " yes I can see that with what you are describing, we’ll see what happen, here’s a sick note and prescription for more mind blowing meds for nerve pain" Im Sure everyone who uses this site is familiar with the frustrations. I know that CCG’s pay for referrals to acute and will often look at other management first before making them. I felt a bit cross, and a bit daft, but I know my body is not ok, so I’ll have to wait and see. Physio next week. Treatment but no answers! Aaarrgghhhh. Must be more patient.
I share your frustration. Think we have all been there at some stage. Who pays for what does hold everything up and ends up costing the NHS more in the long run. My rheumatologist at the hospital did MRI on ankle then told me I needed surgery but she would have to write to my GP and my GP would have to refer me to the same hospital, although orthopods instead of rheumy. So the delay 6 weeks for letter to arrive at GP, 1 week for GP to do referral, couple of weeks for orthopods to think about making an appointment and then 4 month wait to see someone when we already know what the problem is and what will solve it.
Deep breath, hang on in there. It’s a case of being patient on the bus from Limboland to heaven knows where, there are many stops along the way but a destination will be reached eventually.
Hopefully blood tests may show something.
Hi, I understand your frustration, but I think the best thing is to see if the MRI shows anything abnormal and take it from there.
pollx
In Dec I had a bout of Optic Neuritis. When I first went to the eye hospital the first doctor found things that were very suggestive of ON, but couldn’t complete all of the tests because I had driven. When I returned for the tests a week later the different doc I saw said she didn’t think it was, but I would be followed up in a couple of months and I would also be sent to the hospital optician and orthoptist to check for other reasons for the pain. I explained to her these weren’t the first neuro type symptoms I had had (I’d been googling in between appointments). So she reluctantly hand wrote a letter for me to take to the GP, stating it was probably eye strain, possibly migraines and as a last resort it might be ON. When I. Saw the GP I pushed very hard for a neuro referral which I got, and also got upset and made myself look a bit desperate/neurotic I think. So god knows what my referral letter says. I am telling you this, because I REALLY wish I hadn’t pushed for the referral. Lots of info has since come to light which would have been helpful in the referral. For instance, I have since been Dxed with def ON. I have had suspected L’Hermittes, I have had an osteopath say I have spasticity in my calf, etc. All things which I will now have to add verbally when I see the neuro. If I’d have waited just a little bit, then it would all have been sent through in letter which in my opinion gives it that bit more weight. If your MRI comes back with something suspicious of MS then that information will be on the referral and the neuro will be trying to prove/disprove MS from the get go, if your MRI is clear a bit of delay won’t make any difference to your final outcome. I felt just as frustrated and desperate for answers as you a month or two ago (and may still again next week 
) but I am coming to realise that this is going to be a long slow process even if it is indeed MS I am dealing with… I am not a very patient patient either, it’s soooo hard, Leah 