AIBU?
I sort of know IAMU but un the same breath this is my reality and I just don't know how I go on like this. I know the NHS is amazing, I used to be a nurse before I had children. I think the NHS is amazing but I can't help but feel frustrated at the massive differences across the country.
I have been bleeding since August 3rd after passing a very very large clot. Prior to this I had been experiencing increased discharge, weird spotting and my periods had suddenly become very irregular. I have not stopped bleeding since August 3rd. I now struggle to leave the house as I bleed though the maximum protection available to me. Two GPs have stated to me that I need to be seen urgently for both a scan and a Gyn appointment, in total those two GPs have sent or updated up referrals 7 times. First urgent scan referral was sent on August 3rd which radiology rejected as NOT URGENT. The GP resent that in middle of August.
September 1st GP referred me to Gynaecology as a urgent “2 week referral”. The GP confirmed hospital has accepted this as urgent however the letter I received indicated that it would be a much longer wait as I mentioned informing them of dates in the next 6 months I was unavailable. I know the GP again asked them to see me ASAP on 28/09/2020.
I got hold of appointments today, who were very sympathetic but said I was accepted as urgent but I wouldn’t be contacted until at least March, that urgent appointments are taking 28 weeks currently. Even then it would just be a telephone appointment as they weren’t seeing patients or doing procedures.
I did receive a letter from radiology with an appointment for 19/10/2020 but this will be 10 weeks since I was referred. If I don’t stop bleeding by then it will be 78 days of bleeding.
I am in pain, my children are really scared and confused after seeing me with blood running down my legs on numerous occasions, I am becoming increasingly desperate and depressed. I have not stopped bleeding for a single day, the thought of any day longer is making me very unstable.
I cannot go on like this. I have collapsed twice, I can’t work, I bleed through at the school pick-up which is mortifying for us all, I feel so ill, depressed and afraid at what is happening to my body. It’s having a profound affect in us all as a family, I have children with additional needs and one was excluded this week, he has Autism and learning difficulties, and the fact mummy isn’t as hands on and mummy keeps bleeding has a huge affect when he can’t understand what is happening. Another day this week I took my child to the opticians and I bled though everything and had to call my husband at work to take over while I wrapped my coat around myself and sat in a towel to get home.
I accept and understand this is an unprecedented time and the service is under immense pressure but that doesn’t change my current situation. Why is there such a divide on NHS services? I know that some places are back to a more normal service yet it seems like my area is way behind and that is only going to have a massively determinate affect on waiting lists and future services.
If someone deemed as urgent, like me, needs to wait 28 weeks for a consultation and 10 weeks for a scan, what hope do other non-urgent services have? What am I supposed to do in that time? I can barely function most days, it’s having a huge affect on my mental and physical health.