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AIBU?

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Original poster

To tell my Gp and physio they are wrong?

118 replies

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:14

I started suffering with plantar fasciitis early in the year, and as unpleasant as it was, it was generally bearable after the first few minutes in the morning, or after being sat down. I come to know that horrible pain, very very well.

However, the past 6 months, the pain changed to mostly affect the nerves in the bottom of my foot and the nerves that travel up the inside of my ankle. The pain comes on suddenly throughout the day, regardless of what I’m doing (I can be asleep) and it shoots about like I’ve had acid injected, and burns the inside of my foot and ankle. The pain is excruciating.

After doing my own research (yes I know) I have come to the conclusion that I am dealing with ‘Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment’.

However, three GPs and a physio seem to absolute DENY the existence of this condition, and keep telling me it’s PF. One even said ‘I don’t think it’s Bolshers’.

Am I being unreasonable to demand (politely) they look Baxter’s up. Or perhaps take a print off for them? I can’t afford to go private and no one is taking my concern seriously.

Is Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment not a thing in the UK?

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 10/12/2022 09:53

Dr google?

Marigoldandivy · 10/12/2022 09:51

I don’t have the condition you are talking about, but I did have crippling pain in one foot and the doctor, whose consultation was over the phone (!) said it was ‘a matter of pain relief’. I went privately and got a proper diagnosis and treatment. I know you say you can’t afford it, but if there is any way you could manage that, you might at least get someone who can be bothered to listen to you. I sympathise. Good luck.

Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:49

Thank you all. I’ve just emailed a private clinic with my suspicions about Baxter’s and a request for a consultation. Fingers crossed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:47

JackTorrance · 10/12/2022 09:44

Oh, another bit of advice. If you do go private, contact them beforehand (I emailed) to make sure they're indeed aware of the condition so that you don't waste your time and money.

Will do, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:47

JackTorrance · 10/12/2022 09:41

I saw a neurologist privately and he took me straight on as NHS after the initial consultation so I didn't have to self-fund my MRI.

That’s amazing. I’m clearly going to have to self fund initially.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:45

NoseyNellie · 10/12/2022 09:39

You may be right but a quick Google shows that the treatments are the same for both - are you strapping your foot everyday? Doing calf stretches/exercises? Taking NSAIDs?

Fighting for a diagnosis might be useful if the treatment isn’t working after a reasonable amount of time but until you can show you’ve been doing all of the above I would save my breath

Yes I am doing everything. I am strapping; stretching, icing, taking NSAIDs what I can’t do is roll or massage as it sets off the nerve pain. I feel if they could give me the injection of the anaesthetic, I could (a) walk property again and (b) doing the massage that is needed.

I’ve been doing all this for 6 months and the nerve pain is still unbearable. It also makes me feel unsteady as sometimes I can’t feel my foot at all for a second.

OP posts:
JackTorrance · 10/12/2022 09:44

Oh, another bit of advice. If you do go private, contact them beforehand (I emailed) to make sure they're indeed aware of the condition so that you don't waste your time and money.

Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:42

humpty74 · 10/12/2022 09:35

I would, I've had to fight for treatment when I knew what was wrong and gp and specialist dismissed me. I was right and the treatment was life changing.

I just want someone to actually consider that this might not be PF. I feel I’m being written off and so I have no hope left in the minimal treatment I have had.

Every time I go to physio and he asks ‘any improvement?’ I want to scream ‘no! Obviously not, because you’re treating the wrong damn thing!’

OP posts:
JackTorrance · 10/12/2022 09:41

I saw a neurologist privately and he took me straight on as NHS after the initial consultation so I didn't have to self-fund my MRI.

JackTorrance · 10/12/2022 09:40

Well I've just googled it and it's definitely a real thing so you're not being unreasonable for that alone.
I think you might need to pay to see a private specialist. My trust in GPs is rock bottom after they blatantly denied damaging me with a medication - since vindicated by a consultant so they have to believe me now, but it took a fight.

Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:39

ScarlettSunset · 10/12/2022 09:34

I think you should ask to be referred to a podiatrist. Would you be able to afford a single visit to a private one? Where I live it's about £40 - £60 for an initial visit which I appreciate may be out of reach for many people but if this is just about within your reach it may be worth considering.
I went to one on this basis and they referred me on to the NHS specialist at my nearest hospital, so it was the cost of the initial visit well spent.
If you can't go this route then do keep asking your GP or physio to refer you on.

I think I could manage that, especially if it was just an initial appointment. I thought that if you went private, you had to stay private for the whole treatment, so that would be worth looking into. I’ll do that now. Thank you for posting.

OP posts:
NoseyNellie · 10/12/2022 09:39

You may be right but a quick Google shows that the treatments are the same for both - are you strapping your foot everyday? Doing calf stretches/exercises? Taking NSAIDs?

Fighting for a diagnosis might be useful if the treatment isn’t working after a reasonable amount of time but until you can show you’ve been doing all of the above I would save my breath

humpty74 · 10/12/2022 09:35

I would, I've had to fight for treatment when I knew what was wrong and gp and specialist dismissed me. I was right and the treatment was life changing.

ScarlettSunset · 10/12/2022 09:34

I think you should ask to be referred to a podiatrist. Would you be able to afford a single visit to a private one? Where I live it's about £40 - £60 for an initial visit which I appreciate may be out of reach for many people but if this is just about within your reach it may be worth considering.
I went to one on this basis and they referred me on to the NHS specialist at my nearest hospital, so it was the cost of the initial visit well spent.
If you can't go this route then do keep asking your GP or physio to refer you on.

Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:30

CalmDownKaren · 10/12/2022 09:26

You are not a doctor! I know you’ve researched and come to your own conclusions but self diagnosis isn’t the best thing to do.

I do understand I’m not a doctor, but when I type my symptoms into Google, Baxter’s Nerve Entrapment comes up…and it’s the only thing that I read that resonates with me.
Its then frustrating when professionals Pooh-Pooh what I am trying to tell them. I just want them to consider it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 10/12/2022 09:28

DrFoxtrot · 10/12/2022 09:25

I've never heard of it. Maybe ask them to refer you to podiatry/ a foot surgeon for assessment.

Sorry, I’m not saying this in a rude way, I just wondered if you are a doctor (name suggests) and if Baxter’s nerve entrapment is not a known issue with most doctors?

Good idea to ask for referral. I will do that thank you.

OP posts:
CalmDownKaren · 10/12/2022 09:26

You are not a doctor! I know you’ve researched and come to your own conclusions but self diagnosis isn’t the best thing to do.

DrFoxtrot · 10/12/2022 09:25

I've never heard of it. Maybe ask them to refer you to podiatry/ a foot surgeon for assessment.

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