To not want to wait two months to see a physio

[Poopoopoo]

My shoulder is agony,and my hip is sore (left side), I’m not getting much sleep, I don’t want to bother A+E, I have seen the GP four times- no offer of pain relief- finally I have been referred to physio and the appointment is the end of February. I’m taking co-codamol from the pharmacy and using ibuprofen gel. Working full time. I assume physio will refer me for a scan to see if there is anything torn. So then I wait again. I realise/ hope it’s not life threatening. Am I being unreasonable to not want to wait two months!

Honestly... I injured my wrist back in June 2020, went to A&E they X-rayed, said was fine strapped it up and sent me away. After a year the GP finally referred me to physio, that went on for nearly a year with absolutely nothing happening. Finally got referred to hand specialist nearly an hour away. He then finally sent me for an MRI which then showed I had turn the ligament and it hadn't healed properly. I then went on to have steroid injections, a cast for 6 weeks to immobilise it and finally in September 2023 they did an operation and found that I had actually shredded the cartilage 🙃
3 years it took me to get an answer.
It's damn annoying especially when it's a part of your body that you can't just deal with. I really don't blame you for being annoyed for having to wait.
For me, physio didn't do any scans or anything, just kept giving me sheets with movements on.
Really hope you get seen soon!

This is nothing new, I trapped a nerve in my neck about 7 years ago and was in so much pain, GP prescribed diazepam and referred to physio who had a 3 week wait. Paid privately and it was SO worth it.

So pay and you can see one next week!

I’m sorry you have to wait so long, especially when you are in so much pain. I wouldn’t assume you will be sent for a scan however, this will depend on what the physio sees when they assess you.

I went many times about my back pain, never offered anything, was told it's because I sit all day at a desk and I should probably loose a bit of weight.

Paid to go to a chiropractor who diagnosed me with a tilted pelvis within minutes and we began monthly adjustments which have helped hugely.

Most people I hear who get referred to a NHS physio are given a printed sheet of exercises and told to let them know how they get on, if there is no improvement they will arrange an xray.

Can you see a different GP? It seems strange that you haven't already been for a scan if it's that bad.

I went to mine complaining of a sore knee and was immediately referred for an x-ray and physio.

If you can afford it pay it also means that someone who is unable will be seen quicker.I have now come to terms that paying is what happens.Sad but true.I worked in the NHS all my life but times are changing.

My dc was seriously injured in an accident, housebound, unable to walk etc & the soonest urgent physio referral was about a month away. We did get some come to the house but they said they wouldn’t be able to do anything until dc had an X-ray and sign off by a consultant.
if you believe you need an X-ray you may well need to go to A&E as even a private physio wouldn’t be able to do anything, in case they make it worse. At least that’s what everyone told me.

You have an appointment to actually see a physio? I don't mean to be flippant (and obviously hope you get some help) but where I am the NHS physio service is struggling so much that the initial appointments are done by telephone. And you still have to wait weeks/months for that.

They send you rehab exercises to do and if the problem doesn't resolve, then they might schedule a face-to-face appointment. I ended up paying for a private appointment for a hip issue. I probably needed several appointments but couldn't justify the cost and just having that one appointment still helped. Good luck OP.

Tbf if the pain is manageable with otc pain killers then there's not much the GP can do for you further. OTC painkillers are cheaper than prescription for the same thing. Have you tried ibuprofen which is anti inflammatory which may be better for your type of injury ?
GP isn't able to control wait times for physio either. I'd second advice on seeing private physio if you can afford it. if not Id try calling and asking if you can get on the cancellation waitlist

You'll have to pay privately if you want an appointment quickly.

You aren't unreasonable but it is the way it is.

Realistically physio is going the way of dentistry - if you want to actually see someone you need to pay.

Go privately, it's only £50. Assuming you can pay of course. How old are you? It could just be wear and tear? A physio will check you over, give you some treatment, offer some exercises and refer on if needed. DH goes regularly as he needed an MRI, steroid injections etc for a protruding disk. He also has Lyme arthritis so has daily Naproxen for general inflammation. We mix private and NHS, it works well.

You can probably be seen faster if you pay.

The NHS is very run down (thanks, Tories) but two months seems not too bad? Unfortunately resources are being directed into life-threatening things, understandably, and so less urgent things are a bit slow.

I pay £45 a session for physio. My issue cleared up after 3 and following the exercises. Money well spent

a physio will not refer to scans etc. they will recommend you go back to the gp for a referral. but they can describe where they have identified the issue likely lies.

I would pay for a private physio if I can. tbh I couldn't afford not to.

next time (hopefully there won't be one) with an acute injury you need to go to a&e or minor injuries to get it checked out and to get injury and pain management and physio on the way.

search online for suitable exercises, ask the GP to point you in the right direction

YANBU to want treatment quicker than 2 months and you are tired & in pain that's no fun, but that's the issue with relying on the NHS in its current state, it's not personal.

As others have said, physio is relatively low cost & if you can find someone to do an initial appointment for £40-50 they can give you exercises to complete while you're waiting for the NHS appointment.

If your shoulder is genuinely agony I'd go to A&E & get it scanned. Agony sounds like an emergency to me.

Is there a reason the Dr won't give you painkillers?

is it waking you at night?
that is a flag
otherwise ibuprofen gel should help,

I waited 9 month after my rotator cuff injury.

I think I just did not moan enough at the GP appointments. And as some posters here have said, I guess over the counter must be the only thing I can use when working/ driving. But maybe for night time it would have been good to have something stronger. I hear so many friends saying ‘why are so many people turning up at A+E they should go to their gp’ but I get it now. I will look into private.

Does your employer provide access to physio? Mine does as an employment benefit which pays for itself through reduced sickness levels . . .

oh yes, you could try an occ health referral, i received help that way.

Sorry to hear others don’t even get face to face appointments, that is just not acceptable! What a ridiculous situation!

Whilst two months will seem like a lifetime if you're in agony, that is actually really quick. I remember when I was pregnant years ago and really suffering with SPD Referred to a physio and by the time the appointment letter came through baby was walking and I couldn't even remember why I needed a physio as problem went soon after giving birth!!! if you can to go private/have a cash plan, then get yourself booked in next week.