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...

oh wow LGR :) Congratulations for tomorrow firstly!!! (do you want a weather forecast?) and it sounds very positive that you are going to be looked at thoroughly with the aim of a proper treatment plan.

LGR :) and and congratulations! What are you wearing tomorrow? I hope you have a wonderful, fantastic (and sunny) day.

OYBBK I think, want I want, is some re-assurances that the route that is being taken by the osteo is the right one, and some confirmation that this pain is legitimate, real and not because I am stressed. I have gone from worrying something has been seriously wrong for months (had visions of multiple prolapse or arthritis or stenosis etc), to being given a diagnosis that is not fab but is manageable, with some life changes, which I was just working through, just starting to work through with DH, my employers, preparing myself for some life changes to help reduce the risk of further 'flare ups' to now being told that it is nothing at all, it is completely age appropriate ageing, and actually the pain is stress related, not prolapsed disc related, and that I do not, once this 'episode' is over, to adjust my life at all. I can apparantly now kayak, ski, etc. But, this time last week, I was being told completely the opposite by another medical professional. I just would like to know if this could all be imagined, and ideally be referred to someone who actually has a clue and maybe do some physio etc, as I have had none.

(DH said to me this morning 'stress and not being in a very good place can create phantom pain. not saying this is you, but I have experienced this, and I refused to admit I was in a bad place emotionally). BUT. THE BLOODY MRI SHOWS IT IS NOT PHANTOM. Grr. Sorry.

LGR x-posted, congratulations!!! have a good day (and hello!)

ok, not seeing gp. she is not in today. it is a locum. don't want to talk to someone who has no clue about who I am and very little interest and who I am never going to see again.

Ah thanks all, yes would love forecast OYBBK I'm in Gloucester and the wedding's at 3.30,
breastmilk, I'm wearing a white halter neck wedding dress, which I got of eBay,
It shows my biggest scar, but I thought sod it it's part of me, I've got a lace shrug if I feel too exposed.
Pavlov, completely understand about not wanting to see a locum, the ones I've seen always panic and send me straight to hospital, so I avoid going as much as possible.

Congratulations for tomorrow LGR .
What lovely, lovely news. Also, great that you have a consultant that understands your condition. Five days of tests doesn't sound like much fun, but if you get a treatment plan out of it, then all well and good.

OYBBK, I know they are only teeny burns, I was just being a drama queen , because I'm quite nervous. I'm mostly glad that it's being done as a day case procedure, but I am a bit worried in case anything goes wrong when I get home. I suppose that's natural.

BM, I wonder if the best thing to do about gaining weight is to stop worrying about it. Obviously make sure that you are not skipping meals, and eat little and often if a big plate of food makes you feel nauseous. Maybe treat yourself like a fussy child, or a woman with morning sickness. Now that you have more energy, you are running about a lot more, so you need more fuel. The other thing that I would suggest is to avoid too much chocolate and other nice stuff, which may sound weird. As another slim person, I find that sugar doesn't help, especially if it is being consumed instead of a normal meal. If you have eaten a good meal, then sugar is fine as a treat for afterwards.

Mharhi, great that your surgery went without a hitch. I would chat to your GP about the ovary problem, sounds like you need a gynae referral. Now that will take months!

Oooh mad I love your hat, and thank you for the encouragement. Shame my virtual wedding outfit is now two dress sizes too small... I'd love to have been able to make it to applaud LGR and her soon-to-be-DH. I can imagine your DTs looking all dressed-up and gorgeous.

pavlov I agree probably best to wait until a regular GP is back. I try to avoid locums except in emergencies, as they're by definition never in the best position to deal with ongoing or complex things...

mhari sorry I did not respond to your post properly too self absorbed. I am also very glad it went well, and I hope it does not return.

and bm how insensitive of your colleagues i mean, its not correct to start with, but what if it was? if you did have an eating disorder it would be highly inappropriate to comment like that! You should have said 'yes, i do actually' and seen the look on their faces. Is the gp concerned about the weight loss? will it continue to drop, or is it likely to plateau at some point?

I didn't find it inappropriate as much as somewhat alarming... I mean, why should a mental illness such as anorexia be more stigmatising than a far rarer physical illness such as an unusual heart condition requiring of surgery? But in any case: it's not about what they think. I've just got to do something about it. My aim is to try and sort it out myself before getting a (new) GP involved. I feel as though I've had more medical appointments in the past few months than some people have in their entire lifetimes...

Mad, I'll be needing you to comfort me if I have to go through the same thing! I was aiming for comforting, not belittling as I know it is a difficult thing to go through.

LGR, just the chance of an afternoon shower, but I think you should get away with it being dry. Temp in the mid-high teens? Quite gusty winds so I'd fasten your hairdo down well :)

Pavlov, you really need some definitive answers. I hope you get some soon. You deserve them.

oybbk i am not sure really where to go for answers. I was told a while ago that when I have an acute episode that is so bad I cannot physically walk without crying, cannot get out of bed to use the loo, then I should go to A&E. DH has always been very against this, he hardly ever advocates hospitals even when needed! and I have felt such a fraud, as I know it is unlikely there is a serious problem causing it, just a trapped nerve at that time. However, despite him thinking I am over-reacting a tad, he has said to me that perhaps next time if it is this bad (not right this second, but last week, and is worse each episode) to just to go A&E, as that will fast track me to the right people, and in the meantime get my pain meds under control very quickly as it took several days this time.

I think, I have a plan. That is to not go in guns blazing ranting and being all emotional as that just compounds the theory I am stressed and not coping. So, I am taking control. I did not take the meds last night or this morning, as I felt 'fuck it all' (sorry for swearing but they were my thoughts!), but by lunch time and a morning of ranting at/to DH about it all, I was in pain (stress?!! ) so took i started the meds again and decided not to be stubborn. I am going to write down my pain, where it is, when, when it gets better/what is helping, when it gets worse/what is making it worse, including a meds diary. I am going to my health centre tomorrow for a walk in the pool (just one or two lengths, no swimming) and a jacuzzi to relax in. Then, sunday 5 mins of pilates, and so on. I am going to go back to the GP next week, to discuss direction, my fears, concerns, and review what I know/think I know about my condition. without emotion so they dont think I am struggling .

And, if I have a horrendous episode again, straight to hosp for proper advice by the right people quickly.

That sounds like a pretty good plan to me :)

You MN coven of witches now need to help me sort out my menstrual cycle. The hospital called and changed my ablation date to 13/7 (a Friday, eek). They called just before school run, and so I was in a rush and agreed to the date.

The problem is that it's pushing it according to my cycle. Here are my last period dates. 27/1, 19/2, 14/3, 9/4, 3/5, 27/5 and 21/6. I don't know whether to phone and cancel it

I think that you'll be ok, thats 22 days and at a quick glance it seems your shortest cycle is 23 days ( hope I got that right) do you start with a flood, or do you get a warning day or so? I think I'd chance it.

I wish my cycle was a more sensible length . It used to be longer than average, 30 days plus, but has changed since my op.

The last period (that I have now) actually started late in the evening of the 20/6, so I put it down as starting on the 21/6. Technically, the ablation could be on the first day, but my first day isn't usually stupidly heavy. I just wish the hospital hadn't changed my date

I wish I could. But, unlike oybbk I look at those figures and my mind goes blank. But, agree with her, if this is close, but not on the likely day, you should go for it and take the chance. But, i say that from someone who has no periods (implant) and when I did they were quite random.

why did they change it? that is very frustrating.

I don't know why they changed the date, the cardiologist said that the Wednesday didn't suit. I knew that I would be ok with the Wednesday, but that it would be close. I have an appointment next Tuesday to see the pre assessment nurse, so I will ask what he thinks. A large part of me just wants to cancel and get a date that I won't fret about, but maybe they will be annoyed with me, because I keep declining dates that I'm offered.

Hi ladies can I join in the chat? After a viral thing in April I thought i was on the mend and resolved to get more exercise, so went out for a run and had chest pain, waited 2 days and went to gp who did ECG, bloods and exam, everything fine and diagnosed as costochondritis, but the only other thing that was discovered was a soft murmur. I have an echo appt for Monday and am anxious.

LGR congratulations for tomorrow

Mad - if it were me I would go with the date. To be honest mine was due the day just before my op but I just wanted it done. How do they do the ablation? Is it percutaneous through the groin? Do you know how long it takes? Do you have to lie flat for a period of time after it? Are you allowed to use a tampon? Apologies for firing questions but those are the sort of things I'd be wondering. I know it would be fairly horrid but I am sure they have dealt with it before. There is an app to record and predict your periods, it's called iperiod - I use it as I am terrible at remembering otherwise. I imagine warfarin periods are fairly yuck. My first clopidogrel one was not pleasant!

Pavlov - you must be really fed up. When I hear pain clinic, I think of ones run by anaesthetists in hospitals. I am sure they would also use some of the same meds - gabapentin etc... and I think they also refer for CBT, not because the pain isn't real but because it can help people cope with chronic pain, but I'm sure they also have other tricks up their sleeve. My friend with a bad back also had referral to an orthopaedic surgeon mentioned at one point. Would that be part of your local lumbar care pathway do you think? Don't be afraid to ask for another opinion. It is your back and if one approach is not getting you anywhere you have every right to ask politely for another.

BM - what an odd comment from your work colleagues. I take it they don't know what you had done. I suppose when people are off for a while it is only natural for people to wonder although it is none of their business. My colleagues know what's been going on as they are all a sensible understanding lot and I think it has helped them to be supportive. Our 'clients' though have no idea and I do wonder what they think.

Mharhi - so glad it went well and sounds like you found it a better experience than you expected. Take it easy and look after yourself.

Burning - don't worry, it took me two or three evenings of reading through the previous thread before I managed to post. To update you I had what was initially thought to be severe migraine but was eventually diagnosed as a small stroke about 6 months ago and as I am relatively young(??) - 40- and have no other risk factors they looked for another cause and discovered I had a hole in my heart (fairly common - but more common in people with both severe migraine and unexplained stroke) and also a floppy atrial septum (the bit of tissue dividing the right and left top chambers of my heart). So I had a relatively straightforward but nonetheless scary op to put a little metal umbrella type device over the hole and stabilising the atrial wall about 5 weeks ago.

OYBBK - hope you are doing ok. Will be ready to handhold if needed.

LGR - Huge congratulations for tomorrow. Hope you have a really fantastic day.

Cheers everyone as it's Friday!

Cross posts. Hello Haemadoots and welcome. I know it's hard but the worrying before an investigation is normally the worst bit and the investigation itself not quite so bad. Having had a few echos now I can reassure you about the procedure itself. They may also be able to show you what's what if you ask which i've found quite interesting, once I've got over the fact that it's my heart I'm looking at! They will be looking at the valves and the blood flow through them as well as other things. Try not to worry too much. I think heart murmurs are more common than we realise and often completely innocent. Keep busy this weekend. Will be thinking of you.

[ginger] i am not going to post on-topic at the moment.

I am just going to post to LGR have a fabulous day tomorrow, and to all the supportive MNers I have met and hope for you all to have a pain free, worry free day tomorrow.

and welcome haemadoots from another newbie who talks too much

As far as I know the ablation will take 2 hours, and I will need to lie flat for another 2 hours. The cathers will be through the groin, so a not so dignified pants off procedure. I should be fine with a tampon for four hours, so I will go with it, and cross my fingers that my period will not come early. I know that doctors have seen all this kind of thing before, but I haven't.

Hi Heamadoots, hopefully your murmur will be just that. Lots of people have innocent murmurs, and in the unlikely event that it is something more, there are treatments available. The test is a non-invasive ultrasound, so nothing to worry about. If you are booked to see a cardiologist on the same day, you shoud get the results there and then. If not, then you will probably have to wait, because the technicians are not supposed to give out results, which is the hardest bit.