Support thread for those awaiting (and undergoing and recovering from) medical appointments,tests and surgery: PART TWO

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

This is a continuation of this thread, started a few months back by ohyouBadBadkitten as "a thread for you to vent in or post your 'hooray's'". Everyone is welcome, regardless of the nature or duration of their illnesses and whether or not they have a diagnosis. The last thread dealt with a real diversity of long-term and acute conditions, as well as many of the mental health challenges and fertility questions commonly associated with them.

We should probably add the standard sort of disclaimer about not necessarily being qualified or insured to offer proper medical advice, which means that if your symptoms start to sound a bit scary you'll get a few of us rather assertively shoving you in the direction of your local A&E department. As madsometimes puts it, "A&E for Mumsnetters would have Boden medical gowns, Farrow & Ball paint schemes and fruit shoot free vending machines selling organic elderflower presse. Pinot Grigio would be dispensed at wine o'clock. There would be public information posters warning about the dangers of googling Dragon Butter... the injuries resulting from Friday night threads would be quite horrific." However, we all know the reality of medical emeregncies to be signifiantly more stresfull than that, so if it's not life-threaningly urgent, we'll hold your hand and chat and support and speculate on the basis of the reasonably half-informed knowledge gained by our own life experiences.

Welcome. The kettle is on...

OYGGB glad pizza has helped, sorry you had a traumatic experience with the throat spray hope you are being spoilt now.

BPBP what a horrible experience! you seem to be taking it all so casually in your stride. Is it a big deal removing the shunt? will they do that while you are pregnant? hope you are feeling ok and congratulations at 14weeks pg!

Hi Backpack,
I'm glad your pregnancy is progressing well, and I'm amazed that you're coping on just paracetamol. So sorry to hear about the infection though. I hope you're enjoying your weekend leave, and good luck for the LP on Monday, and surgery whenever that is needed.

You are, as ever, amazing .

Ladies. I want to wish you all good luck in all you have to go through. You are all strong amazing women with so much more to deal with than me, and have journeyed together for a long time, and show each other great strength and support. thanks for letting me crash for a while.

My shit is minor. I have no place here. you all have more than enough to deal with without my waffling about nothing much. thanks for your support and I hope you get well, and for those still on the treadmill, you get off with the outcomes that keep you well x

You're staying here.

I'm not waiting for any treatment at the moment, and I'm hardly in the recovery phase either. I'm basically fine. In fact, I'm at a bit of a crossroads at the moment, in terms of what to do with my life. I gave up work to be a SAHM and then my health took a dip a year ago. Now, I feel fixed and I'm not sure what career I want to pursue. I would quite like to retrain in a health related field. A friend has been accepted for a course to become a radiographer in her late 40's. I don't think I would like to do that and not sure how I could given that I'm not allowed near MRI scanners, but maybe something else. It couldn't be physically demanding, but maybe training to be a SALT or something similar. I want something to change, but I'm not sure what .

So you see, it's not all serious illness. We need to give and receive support for all sorts of stuff! Your problems are not a run of the mill bad back. You have had to face having your absences documented on your work record, stress with your dh, and the inconsistencies of navigating the NHS

How are you coping this week without your dh? I hope all's well .

Pavlov, I agree.

It is impossible objectively to quantify suffering, pain, stress, worry or impatience, and therefore impossible to even attempt to compare who here is more ill or deserving than anyone else. So saying that you're going to head off because you think others are in greater need than yourself: just stay, it doesn't make sense.

And as you're seen on here, our struggles are just different... for example, I can usually mostly handle pain but can't cope with being in hospital and gingerwine coped superbly with being in hospital for an ASD closure but couldn't manage the banana-flavoured throat spray for her TOE and OYBBK/GGB wasn't too worried by the flavour of the TOE throat spray but had lost her beloved cat... you get my drift...

BackPack I'll have a go at summarising this thread for you this afternoon when I'll have a few DC-free hours...

hi. Sorry. just feeling really quite sorry for myself. Not really got anyone around who is not fed up with me going on about it all, and in reality people deal with this all the time, and more and I need to just get a grip and get on.

Coping? that is what i am doing. Kids are permanently fighting, and not doing what they are told, messing the house. Luckily my back is not too bad right now. low level of constant pain. just have to get used to it as it wont go away any time soon. And two physio appts next week, noone to mind the kids. If I cancel two they will discharge me.

I just want to take a break from it all. from the whole back problem thing, illness thing. I am simply going to bury my head in the sand for a while and wait for it to go away.

Pavlov, why not call the physio people and let them know that you are having a childcare crisis. Just tell them how young your children are, and then threaten offer to bring them with you to the appointment . That should focus their minds about whether it is reasonable to discharge you for cancelling.

I get that people who deliberately don't show up for appointments should face consequences, but the same shouldn't apply to people who cancel in advance. I bet there are people on the waiting list who would jump at a last minute cancellation.

Okie dokes. A recap of this thread, right from Part 1 back in March. Posters listed in order of appearance. If I've left anyone out or omitted any crucial details, please just add them. Sorry for anyone/anything I've missed...

ohyouBadBadkitten (currently known as ohyouGreatGreatBritain) Patiently, patiently waiting, waiting and then waiting some more for cardiac appointments and diagnosis (although she already has eye problems and arthritis)... and then waiting for a bit longer, too, whilst getting horrid side-effects from amiodarone. Has 24hr ECG and echo which seem OK... sees cardiologist who refers her to electrophysiology... EP thinks echo probably not OK and refers her to transeosophageal echo and tilt test. Survives TOE despite her DH declining to cook for her afterwards, tilt test requires more waiting. In other news, has been waiting and waiting and waiting for work contract to be renewed and lost cat to return. Whilst waiting, does a lot of gardening and enjoys watching the weather.

madsometimes (currently known as teamGBsometimes) On a self-professed mission to bankrupt the NHS. Recovering from aortic root and valve replacement which landed her with a pacemaker and an atrial flutter requiring ablation, and a nightmare time of her periods on warfarin... and as if that?s not enough, possible TIAs too. Echo results go missing and then reveal potential atrial septal defect possible linked to visual disturbances and after many further appointments and some cardiac rehab sessions on the treadmill... and then the ablation (and a coil). A computer glitch then suggests she might have atrial fibrillation and thank heavens it?s just a computer glitch. In other news, staying heroically sane, despite two energetic daughters and endless family responsibilities.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte Has heart surgery which seems to go OK but develops some strange form of fatigue and pain-type condition afterwards and has regular emo-teenagery meltdowns and neurotic wobbles and panic attacks. In desperation tries Prozac on the basis it wired her full of energy years back... and she regains the ability to walk, and the pain lessens, and she?s not drying so much... but she loses so much weight that rumours of anorexia start buzzing around her workplace Then her consultant ceases communication for the nth time and she starts to lose the plot ever so slightly again. In other news, loves her kiddies and her job to bits, but loves her kiddies more...

Reenypip Huuuuuuuuuge amounts of pain. In the midst of a series of procedures and surgeries involving lots of appointments, waiting and cancellation, and has spent much of the past few years in hospital following an accident. Has lots of surgeries and infections, and struggles to self-catheterise. In other news, remains seemingly incredibly serene and philosophical and calm, and her son is now one.

LargeGlassof Red Stuck between hospitals and consultants and tests with neurosarcoidosis... and on top of it all, cute little twins who keep getting ill as well. Gets married in gorgeous dress, despite scars from lung surgery: reeeespect.

Meglet enjoys medical threads. Well, she says that, but then vanishes...

DaffodilsAhoy Has a possible ulcer and a lovely username. Fab flowers, they are...

Ben10hasfinallyleft the building Thoracic Outlet syndrome and pelvic floor problems and nervous about surgery... in her position, surely anyone would be.

BackPackBackPackHas survived a really rough for years, and now has a nasty form of intercranial hypertension and chiari malformations; she has endless lumbar punctures and numerous surgeries yet the shunts keep blocking/twisting/failing, she is progressively losing her vision and becoming blind and the neurosurgeons are out of their depth and they are not handling it well. She moves between several consultants all with slightly contradictory approaches... and then in an unexpected twist worthy of an award-winning episode of Eastenders gets PREGNANT which launches her into yet more medical challenges: will her kidneys be OK? How will a possibly-infected shunt affect foetal growth? Does she need a C-section?. And she is surviving and surviving, whilst being a fab mum to a very little girl...

giraffescantdonatebonemarrow Severe and unpredictable asthma, yet a tower of strength and exceptionally supportive friend to expatinscotland as her daughter is dying in hospital. RIP Ailidh .

BambinoBoo Complex gallbladder problems and lots of waiting, and waiting whilst in pain. Ouch.

BigFatSpider Knee surgery, and tends to have bad reactions to anaesthetics. Many hands to hold. But she still falls over just after her op. Again, ouch.

Rochele Pops in from across the pond. Long term fertility problems, and then another miscarriage. Poor love.

RabbitsMakeBrownEggs Chronic autoimmune problems and arthritis, kidney problems and UTIs, not helped by the inconsistencies of the benefits system and an unhelpful psychiatric diagnosis. Another one in massive pain. In other news, always full of creative and fun ideas.

funnyperson Heart problems as well, but nobody seems ever quite to have explained them to her. A familiar story, sadly. And she?s waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

2gorgeousboys Has just had surgery for endometriosis and had scary allergic reaction to painkillers. Waiting for further investigations...

slipperandpjsmum Agonising wait to discover whether she has bowel cancer. Delightfully not. Phew.

gingerwine Has just had a stroke caused by previously undiagnosed ASD. ASD closure goes well, but she is in pain afterwards, and finding it hard to track down her consultant for treatment. The TOE throat spray tastes of bananas, which does nothing to make anyone else want one.

PavlovtheCat Horrific back pain, a fused kidney and high plasma levels of prolactin; the connection between the three has yet to be established but she is having real trouble accessing the pain management she needs. And her husband is away in America. It is stressful. She is coping.

mumface Is about to have facial surgery and is addicted to google. Better than being addicted to painkillers at least...

Mharhi Waiting for bowel scans and surgery. Very patient. Gynae problems too. Lots of waiting.

BurningBridges Has been passed around the medical system with increasing levels of confusion surrounding her illness. Is lovely and calm about the waiting, but worried about the various medical problems of her family members.

Haemadoots May have a heart murmur. Any updates?

oopslateagain finally joins the thread. Waiting for appointment regarding hypermobility. They?re being less than punctual themselves.

IShallWearMidnight has textbook symptoms of heart failure, but ECGs and blood insist that she definitely doesn not have heart failure. Big sigh of relief. But what?s wrong? Waiting for echo...

Brilliant summary for us newbies, you're a star!

well, i had to come on to applaud that momentous effort. good job!

Just to update on my bit

pavlov diagnosis of back pain is annular tear (lumbar disc tear) at l5/s1, and severe dehydration of disc, disc bulges and dehydration on other lumbar discs (degenerative disc disease), possible additional tear of another disc/increased tear of l5/s1/nerve entrapment disc since MRI causing the increased/continued excessive pain, and now back on the wait for MRI, again. Fused kidney was a red herring just to cause more worry and US showed it is fine and I just have a mutant healthy kidney (singular).

It was rather splendid, wasn't it . Thanks very much, Breastmilk.

No, thank you all for being so fab and supportive of me.

And writing all that kept my mind off tomorrow's GP appointment, at least...

What a splendid summary BM! A heroic effort!
I hope tomorrow goes ok.

Evening! Sorry, been away seeing the Olympics and generally loving being British. Did not forget you all I promise.

What a fantastic summary BM. Good work.

OYBBK - so sorry I missed your TOE experience. Nasty choking throat spray! Hope you are feeling more human now.

Loads to catch up on. Will get reading!

Pavlov - don't go anywhere please. We all have ups and downs and are here to support each other no matter how 'big' or 'small' we perceive these problems.

Will post again tomorrow once I've caught up.

Evening! Sorry, been away seeing the Olympics and generally loving being British. Did not forget you all I promise.

What a fantastic summary BM. Good work.

OYBBK - so sorry I missed your TOE experience. Nasty choking throat spray! Hope you are feeling more human now.

Loads to catch up on. Will get reading!

Pavlov - don't go anywhere please. We all have ups and downs and are here to support each other no matter how 'big' or 'small' we perceive these problems.

Will post again tomorrow once I've caught up.

New GP has referred me to verymostfeared hospital. Why the [insert expletive] did I [profanity] agree??

Basically she managed to convince me of the admin hassles involved in a referral to Scotland, and reminded me that I love my DCs too much to have surgery reversed.

Currently sitting in nearby Costa struggling to retain continence

#icanthandlethis

You can handle it, but does your gp know that she will need to give you the support that you need to do so? Why don't you see if you can get a phone consultation with her and explain how it is making you feel. {{{ hugs}}}

I have told her everything... and she really did listen. I think she will be good as a GP for that.

But how are you doing? Has your DH redeemed himself yet? Are you still sore?

I think then, you need to try and put your faith in her :)

Dh has stopped being odd and is back to being lovely :) I think he must show stress in a rather odd way. I think I'm pretty much recovered from Friday now. However I have the period from hell. Which must be a result of stress I reckon, what with my naughty cat and Friday and the fact that our house is a nightmare due to carpet coming tomorrow.

So, to cope, I'm applying for ridiculous Olympic tickets no idea what I'd do if any of them came through, but I'd manage some how!!!

I'm glad your DH is back to his normal supportive self. Mine can also show stress in the most unexpected ways... it's hard for them too, I'm sure.

My day is descending into chaos. After my restoratory Costa I'd managed to regain composure, scrub myself into respectable clothes and trek halfway to Scotland for a work meeting... only to discover both that I'd arrived without paperwork vital for the meeting and that the meeting had been cancelled anyway, and that if I had checked my work email before leaving I'd have known that it had been cancelled...

Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing for it, you need an afternoon on the sofa with lots of chocolate. ( are you working this afternoon?)

OMG who needs laxatives when one can have a good panic

#tmi
#needstogetlaptopoutanddosomeworkcosthatswhatlaptopsaretherefor

Yes, I think I will head home as quickly as the public transport system will permit...

Think that is very sensible. Hate it when body decides it needs an emergency evacuation. Hope it calms down enough for you to get home easily.

OYGGB, I understand why you want more Olympic tickets. I would love to be at the main stadium, what a buzz. I'm not trying for tickets though, just content to watch it on the telly. I feel lucky enough to have seen the equestrian.

Sorry about the period from hell. I'm still undecided about whether my Mirena is a good thing or a bad thing. I had it put in about three weeks ago, and have constantly spotted or bled since then. Not horrendous flooding like before, but enough for it to be a very effective contraceptive iykwim .

BM, what can I say? You are going to be fine, your GP has referred you to the best hospital for your condition, in her opinion. I'm sorry that it just happens to be a place that terrifies you . I'm glad she listened to your concerns though, and is showing promise to be someone that with depth of understanding, despite her very young age.

Is it the same place that you so kindly supported your friend by meeting her for a coffee last week? Apart from the rubbish coffee, you survived that, and did a good turn for someone else as well.

You will probably have a good few months before you actually need to go to thehospitalthatterrifiesyou, I don't know if that's a god thing or bad thing. When you do go, you need the most calming person that you know with you. You need to decide who that person is, and call in a favour for them to accompany you.

I have a really good feeling that the staff will be lovely, will answer all your questions, let you know when your next appointment is and write to your GP.

Sorry about the wasted journey today. At least it gave you something else to think about.