and I know I shouldn’t. There’s always someone worse off, and although that knowledge doesn’t make me feel any better it does usually help me keep it in perspective.
Todays grumble - this week it will be sixteen weeks since I saw the urologist who, to my enormous relief promised me Botox on my bladder, he also promised he’d list me as urgent. It’s thirteen weeks since I had my pre op assessment so that expired three weeks ago. I’ve heard nothing. At this rate I’m not going to get it done within the eighteen weeks the NHS states treatment should begin after seeing a consultant.
Now, I know the NHS is struggling and that there are many in greater need of a theatre slot and a hospital bed than me. But my bladder problems are massive and the impact on my life also massive.
I wonder just what he consultant meant by “urgent” maybe his definition and mine aren’t the same. Did he know when he said I’d be treated urgently that he was promising something he couldn’t deliver?
We have been invited to a big social event next month. I suspect the venue is going to be lacking in an accessible loo. In this day and age, and years after the disability discrimination act, there are still lots of premises without suitable facilities. This is going to be a massive problem if we go, but we really want to be there.
Aw Flower. That is annoying and disappointing. Have you tried phoning his secretary and asking/begging for an appointment? At the very least, ask to be put on a cancellation list. x
Yep, that`s what I would do…ring his sec and ask where you are on the list. I cancelled mine as my bladder…fingers crossed…is in a reasonably well behaved mood.
It would be a shame to miss that event you`re looking forward to.
What meds are you taking for your bladder? Mine`s betmiga…I didnt carry on with the oxy patches as they made me itch so.
Yes you should grumble Eve. It’s your life and your damn bladder is spoiling it for you.
In my area they’ve told me a premed lasts for 6 months, not 3. (I have no idea where this premed procedure ahead of the op came from, I suppose it’s about MRSA?)
I agree with Poppy and Poll (I never argue with either of them, sensible women both), try phoning the secretary of your urologist and find out what the delay’s all about. Be nice and tell him/her how bloody miserable it’s making you. If you have to, beg for an appointment.
(Btw, I’m having an SPC in a months time!)
I really hope you get an appointment as soon as possible.
It’s called being pro active and taking responsibility for your own health! Go to that phone now and be assertive. Tell the secretary you feel you “may have been overlooked”, as it is classed as an “Urgent” referral.
However, what you don’t realise is that Botox isn’t always an instant fix, it can sometimes take a couple of weeks to really do it’s job. So the sooner the better.
Try calling, see if there’s any chance of a cancellation. You can’t lose anything by asking.
Well, as it is sixteen weeks today I thought I’d have a go at ringing the urologists secretary.
i think there’s a conspiracy to stop patients even getting to speak to the monkey, much less the organ grinder!
So far I’ve been put through to an extension that just rang and rang and rang. I held for ten minutes just in case. Then the switchboard put me through to outpatient appointments, clearly they couldn’t help, I haven’t got and am not waiting for an outpatient appointment. The next attempt got me through to a ward. They were as mystified as me as to why. They suggested going back to the switchboard and asking for Dr *****'s secretary.
i thought that was what I’d already repeatedly asked for!
Strange. Why would they give someone a pre med if they’re not on the list for an operation?
I can’t believe what a run around you’re being given Eve.
Theres so little any of us can do except sympathise and encourage you to try again talking to the neurologists secretary. I know it’s flipping hard to keep on and on trying.
I know it’s not going to be an instant fix, but I’d initially hoped it’d be done before I went away at Christmas, then I hooked it would be done in time to be working by the time of the wedding on 20th this month. Now I’m thinking it’s not going to have been done by the time we go on holiday in May.
when/if it’s done and when/if it works and starts to wear off is it going to take this long to get it done again I wonder?
i first asked to be referred in March last year. My GP insisted on trying tweaking meds, which didn’t work and finally referred me in August, but I didn’t get an appointment until October.
i was so pleased when the urologist said I could have Botox urgently. I wonder if he knew it was a promise he couldn’t deliver.
Today I finally got to speak to one of the secretaries in urology. She confirmed I’m on the list as urgent, but as she doesn’t have the list she can’t tell me where I am on it! She said there was a letter dated 9th February from the anaesthetist confirming it’s ok to go ahead (previous problem) but she didn’t know if the urologist had seen it. She’s emailed him and has promised she’ll ring me and let me know what he says. I’ve told her about being away 20th for a wedding so I’m hoping asap after that. I can’t see it being before. Fingers crossed.
Well here I am again. I got a phone call from the secretary today. Botox currently scheduled for 21st March, almost 23 weeks of being told I was on the list as urgent. Also outside the NHS’s own time limit of treatment starting within 18 weeks of seeing the consultant. I’ve not been informed officially yet though, so I’m not holding my breath!
Assuming it’s going to work, will it take as long after it wears off to get it done again I wonder?
I’m just glad you have a date Eve. Fingers crossed it’s done on that day. Still seems lousy for an ‘urgent’ appointment. Perhaps ask the surgeon to book you in for another series as soon as the first is done?
