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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be seriously considering A&E

66 replies

SourSweets · 10/01/2014 10:59

Despite it not being an accident or an emergency. I know you shouldn't go if you can avoid it, but I don't know what else to do.

I have an ongoing knee problem. First it was diagnosed as Anterior Knee, then Bursitis, in the last week the pain has got dramatically worse, to the point where I am limping and crying and can barely bend my legs. Went back to the doctor this morning who said it's inflamed, there's something going on with the soft tissue but she doesn't know what. It's also causing me a lot of ankle pain because I'm adapting how I walk to cope with the knee pain. She's given me a shed load of codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen

She has referred me for an MRI scan but I have to wait 4-6 weeks for it. A month and a half! In this much pain. I can't bear it. I'm also worried about taking codine for that long, that's strong stuff, it makes you drowsy and I have a 5 month old to look after.

I've called NHS Direct to see what my options are about speeding this along and she said I don't have any other options. I started crying on the phone and she just said "well I can continue with the assessment if you insist, but there's really no point as you've already had one done."

My husband can't get out of work early to help me with the baby so that I can rest my knees and ankles. I'm seriously considering going to A&E to get the MRI done there because I don't feel like I have another option. Although I can't take the baby to what is essentially a room full of virus, so Id have to go tomorrow wgen he's being looked after by his dad.

Fuck. I should just take the drugs and wait it out shouldn't i?

OP posts:
kali110 · 10/01/2014 12:23

Op ypu have my sympathies. I have same pains as you. Had same painkillers as you then put on tramadol.now have to put up with the pain as painkillers bring on my migraines. I have a cream prescribe now that numbs the pain for an hour atleast and also acts as an antiflammatory. Iv been having regular physio and starting water physio.

kali110 · 10/01/2014 12:24

You could also try cool patches

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 12:24

Oh no Kali, it's awful isn't it?! Do they have any idea what's causing your pain?

Anyone, what does that mean, whats a 3rd line painkiller?

OP posts:
LessMissAbs · 10/01/2014 12:30

A private MRI scan costs around £200 (a friend has just had one). You will need a referral from your GP. A local physio should also be able to arrange steroid injections for you, not sure how much it costs but not more than £200 I should think. It might be worth paying £30 or so for an appointment with a private physio as A&E will probably just refer you to the waiting list which you are already on, and an MRI scan, when it comes, is not actually going to make you feel any better. A physio will also advise you on any strengthening exercises you can do to help avoid reocurrence.

In the meantime, you could try RICE - rest (difficult), ice (try wrapping the area in frozen peas wrapped in a dishcloth for 10 minutes twice a day), compression (difficult with the knee but maybe wear thick tights) and elevation. Plus take the anti-inflammatories - ask for diclofenac.

Consider also if you are overweight and placing more stress on the area whether losing weight might help.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 12:42

Definitely can't afford any of that. I'll try compression along with the other stuff, I do have knee supports hidden away somewhere.

I'm not overweight so it won't be that.

OP posts:
IamInvisible · 10/01/2014 12:59

DS2 dislocated and fractured his shoulder in 3 places last February. He had to wait 3 weeks for an urgent MRI. He is finally getting the surgery he needs, next week.

It's horrible being in pain. I have a constant painful disability, it takes over your life and you find it hard to concentrate on anything else, so I know how you feel.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 13:49

Oh my god, invisible, that's awful! I had no idea these things take forever, but it seems like that's always the case.

So sorry about your pain, at least mine is (hopefully) not permanent. I can't imagine having it forever.

OP posts:
Poloholo · 10/01/2014 13:55

OP have a look at this re the codeine. This is an excellent resource if you're being prescribed drugs to check compatibility. Not just to check for problems but often medical professionals are loathe to prescribe anything to BF mothers when often it is fine.

LingDiLong · 10/01/2014 13:59

You don't have drop in physio clinics in your area do you? My DH has been to one at our local hospital before now. I'm not sure if he had to be referred by the GP though. Might be worth an ask if you're going back to the GP?

LaGuardia · 10/01/2014 14:11

You won't get an MRI scan in A&E because you are not a trauma patient. If it was urgent, your GP would have sent you to the hospital straightaway. Take some painkillers and/or go private.

Original poster
SourSweets · 10/01/2014 15:05

No, there are no drop in physio clinics in my area. I'm on the waiting list but it is looooong.

To be fair to my doctor she has made a urgent referral for me for the MRI but I guess urgent is still 4-6 weeks.

I will try to do as suggested and get on a list for cancellations, take the right meds and wear the right shoes/supports and just wait my turn.

OP posts:
rumbleinthrjungle · 10/01/2014 15:11

I agree A&E will just bounce you, they won't order an MRI and it's taking an existing condition already in the process of being treated. The most they would probably do is look at immediate pain, but your GP could do that. I was on fentanyl patches via the GP at one point for severe surgical pain, he was a lot more use than the consultant was for pain management.

See if there is a private MRI service that is within distance for you, you can probably Google it or ring your local private hospital who might know, or see whether you can book and pay for a private MRI at a local private hospital. I've done one through a hospital and one through an MRI van in a leisure centre car park, they're not horrendously expensive and when you're in a lot of pain and deteriorating while you hang around on waiting lists needing answers they're worth it.

Really hope you get this moved along soon, it sounds horrible for you.

rumbleinthrjungle · 10/01/2014 15:14

www.vanscan.co.uk/

This is one, I know there are other companies, you'd need to see what their waiting time is, but I was seen in about 2 weeks.

VivaLeBeaver · 10/01/2014 15:20

They won't do an MRI there and then.

I have ongoing back problems and went to a&e one weekend as something audibly went snap in my back and I was literally unable to walk. Loads of pain. They admitted me as they said I needed pain control and an MRI and that I'd get an MRI quicker been an inpatient. Took 5 days.

kali110 · 10/01/2014 19:36

Some long name but basically inflammation behind knee caps and wear and tear. Physio helps as i need to strengthen certain ligaments around the knees. They thought it was probably caused from doing a manual job for a decade.

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