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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DH to A&E

195 replies

DontGoIntoTheLongGrass · 30/01/2018 12:40

I'll try to make this quick as I have a habit of rambling on.
Basically dh wants to be tested for a genetic condition which his dad has which fuses the spine. He has every symptom. Dh is at the point now where he cannot move for the pain and he is getting no sleep because of it. He is on strong meds but they do nothing. An x-ray is required for diagnosis but the doctors will not refer him for one. They give him more pain meds which dont touch the pain.
Aibu to take DH to a&e to try get the x-ray next time he wakes up in the night screaming in pain? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I know the consensus on mn over wasting the doctors time at a&e. I'm just struggling to see my DH in so much agony every day.

OP posts:
PinkBlueYellow · 30/01/2018 16:04

I'm really surprised that the GP would opt to prescribe stronger meds to mask the issue rather than referring for a simple X-ray. That is very odd indeed.

I would definitely just go and see another GP and demand a referral. Or, you could get a private X-ray to save time?

theredjellybean · 30/01/2018 16:08

Have you asked the gp why they won't refer for an x-ray?
If he has lower back pain then an x-ray is rarely indicated and most ccg refuse to allow them. Request just gets sent back.
Have you been with your dh to the gp? Do you know exactly what has been done or said?

Birdsgottafly · 30/01/2018 16:10

"I'm really surprised that the GP would opt to prescribe stronger meds to mask the issue rather than referring for a simple X-ray."

My Son-in-law's GP did that, even though all of his male relatives had the same condition going back generations. He became addicted to Tramadol and started smoking Cannabis because of the pain.

When he go with my DD, she talked him into changing GP's and getting it sorted out. He was only 20 and didn't want to argue with a GP and he thought that he should have been coping with the pain because the GP wasn't doing anything.

JohnHunter · 30/01/2018 16:23

@PinkBlueYellow Not odd at all. An x-ray in this situation is next to useless. The patient is in pain, hence pain killers.

Jafinar · 30/01/2018 16:30

If it's a genetic condition could you afford to get a private genetic test online? There are tons of companies offering tests cheaply. Admittedly I have no idea how much a genetic test may cost, but tests such as haemoglobin or white blood cell are fairly affordable as private medicine goes, at around £60.

DollyLlama · 30/01/2018 16:31

@quarterpast if I remember rightly, the blood test is a really good indicator but doesn’t always flag up AS.

OP, I’m sorry your OH is going through this, I’ll echo other posters and say change GP ASAP but if
your OH is screaming in the night before you get a chance then yes, go to A&E. Agonising pain with no diagnosis needs to be looked at.

PinkBlueYellow · 30/01/2018 16:34

Ok if the X-ray is useless then some other form of diagnostic test?

I thought the NHS were desperately trying to get people off opiate medication? Assuming that's what has been prescribed, although I didn't think there were any strong painkillers that don't include some opiate derivative?

quarterpast · 30/01/2018 17:36

Oh ok, I'm not a trained medical person just my DH was recently tested for AS as part of trying to diagnose his back probs.

Cosmic123 · 30/01/2018 18:02

If he's in agony it's not being unreasonable to go to a&e. Poor him. It sounds horrible. How sad. I hope he recovers x

Dungeondragon15 · 30/01/2018 18:03

Not odd at all. An x-ray in this situation is next to useless. The patient is in pain, hence pain killers.

My understanding is that an X-ray might show inflammation of the sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis) so not next to useless.

Aragog · 30/01/2018 18:13

The patient is in pain, hence pain killers.

But surely the GP needs to be looking for an underlying cause, bit just masking pain with stronger and stronger pain meds?

Fortunately when I presented with acute ongoing pain in and off my GP did refer me, which resulted in a diagnosis of arthritis (blood test wouldn't have, and didn't/doesn't, have flagged it) and the appropriate medication started in addition to pain medication.

Aragog · 30/01/2018 18:14

Oh and part of referral included x-ray, MRI, blood tests and more.

JohnHunter · 30/01/2018 19:18

The x-ray will almost certainly be normal unless he has had symptoms for a very long time. If AS is the working diagnosis (which will depend on history/examination) then he will need referral to a rheumatologist who can order appropriate investigations. There isn't any one test (or even a combination of tests) that can diagnose early AS with any deal of certainty. If imaging is suggested, it's likely to be an MRI.

As back pain is common (and is mostly not caused by AS, even in those with a strong family history of the disease) it seems reasonable to keep an eye on things (i.e. pain killers) for a while and see if they settle by themselves. If they don't then he should go back and may well end up with a rheumatologist.

In all honesty I can't tell what's going on or what's needed from the description in this thread so far. I am however frustrated by the fact that so many people here have convinced themselves that the GP hasn't done certain things that are "so obviously" needed.

The bottom line is that, if the OP's DH doesn't have faith in the doctor he's seen, he should see another one.

Original poster
DontGoIntoTheLongGrass · 30/01/2018 20:43

Sorry all, only just got home from work.

Firstly thank you all for your replies, I didn't expect to have this many. Since you've already guessed it, yes, it is ankylosing spondylitis I am talking about. His dad was diagnosed with it over 20 years ago. Dh who is early 30s has been in pain for years but suddenly this last 2 years has become alot worse. Since Xmas he's not been able to move very much and waking up every night around 2am to 3am in pain. He can't get comfortable in any position and I've resorted to buying a new bed to try help him although it doesn't seem to be helping much yet.

Dh is on strong medication at the moment, some he can't drive on so he can only take them before bed. He's just ran out of meds so he needs more.

I know he needs an x-ray and a blood test but our gp is useless. We don't have a nominated gp just whoever we can get in to see. Our gp surgery hasn't been very good in years. It's been getting worse and I think you're all right that we need a new gp. I've been going there my whole life but it's really gone downhill. Whenever we go they just say about pain management even though we've said about fil's condition.

I've told dh he needs to ring doctors first thing tomorrow for an appointment and I'm going with him to demand x-ray, referrals and whatever else he needs. I've tried to go private. I rang yesterday a private clinic near us and they will not allow dh to see a rheumatologist without gp referral even if we pay for it? It this correct? I'm really worried about dh. He never shows pain and never cries but it's horrible seeing him like that at night Sad

Ps. I was only wanting to go to a&e just to try get an x-ray so we could take that to gp to try move it along. I understand it's not the best idea but im desperate.

OP posts:
TiredMumToTwo · 30/01/2018 20:48

Absolutely not A&E, totally feel for you but don’t abuse the system.

Riverside2 · 30/01/2018 20:48

OP would this be any help?

www.pushdoctor.co.uk/how-it-works/referrals

SleightOfMind · 30/01/2018 20:50

It sounds awful, your poor DH.
I have no idea if you would get an X-ray at A & E but you would get pain meds for that night at least.

Am shocked at your GP’s refusal to refer. Hope you find a place at a better surgery soon,

goose1964 · 30/01/2018 20:53

I know this may sound odd but has he actually said to his GP my Dad has X and I have some of the early symptoms can I be tested.. My GP says you have to ask for referrals although they can ask leading questions to get you to ask they can't suggest.

Bambamber · 30/01/2018 20:56

Would you consider going to a chiropractor? Many offer an x ray as part of an assessment, you can then choose whether to go ahead with any treatment with them or not.

Another option would be looking into whether or not he could do a self referral to physio. They can refer for diagnostic imaging if deemed necessary

Notmyideamovingon · 30/01/2018 21:02

Op NASS is a great charity for advice.he needs to see a rheumatologist. You need to complain to the practice manager and get him seen by a rheumatologist. Asap

Notmyideamovingon · 30/01/2018 21:03

Do not go to a chiropractor! As and manipulation is a massive massive no no.

moreismore · 30/01/2018 21:05

I would second seeing a chiropractor. They can assess and either x Ray on site or refer. They are trained to read the x rays also and could then send findings on to GP which would (if AS suspected) trigger blood tests and rheumatology referral.
Check the GCC website for clinics in your area and the websites should say if they have onsite x Ray which will be quickest.

moreismore · 30/01/2018 21:06

PS the whole point of doing x rays is to check if chiropractic care is appropriate. And they can do a lot more than just manipulate, as this isn’t suitable for every patient.

HPandBaconSandwiches · 30/01/2018 21:07

This is the NICE document you need OP
Referral criteria are in section 1.1.5
Read it. Take it with you to the appointment. If they refuse investigation, as why they are contravening NICE guidelines (presuming your DH does fit the criteria).
Don’t worry that the name isn’t the same, axial spondyloarthritis is the same as Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Information is the key here.
Good luck.
Oh and change your GP anyway. It’s pretty poor IMHO.

RandomMess · 30/01/2018 21:07

I think you have the right to insist on a 2nd opinion? Perhaps you need to frame it to the GP

So he has agonising back pain that strong meds don't control

He has a parent with a genetic condition that could be causing these symptoms

So despite these 2 factors you refuse to do a blood test or refer into a specialist?

He still refuses, so how do I make a formal complaint about DH treatment?