Should I phone the hospital or wait?

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

Hi, I had an MRI to uncover the cause of numbness in my chin. After a telephone consultation the neurologist he said he believes something is pushing up against my trigeminal nerve and arranged the MRI.

I asked the nurse after having the MRI how long until i hear about the results and was told they are getting back to patients in 1 to 2 weeks, that the neurologist will phone me.

This was 4 weeks ago. I've heard nothing. I don't know whether to phone on monday to enquire or to just sit tight and hope I haven't been forgotten about.

I did ask if it would be a long wait because of any backlog caused by the whole covid situation but was assured 1 to 2 weeks. What would you do? Sit tight or phone? I've never had an MRI before so not sure if delays are normal. Thanks.

I would phone, just to put your mind at rest.

I would either ring the neurologists secretary or your GP for the results.

Yes I'd phone

Thanks for replying. I don't know who the neurologist is or how to contact him. It was an urgent referral made in march that was postponed until mid June when stage 2 of lockdown meant they were back at work. I was first in line for a telephone consultation but it was such a quick call and I never got his name or which hospital he works at.

Ahh thanks! I'll phone my GP on monday. It never occurred to me they would possibly have the results and they would most definitely have a record of who the neurologist is!
I guess I felt a bit unreasonable about chasing it up with the current situation in hospital but 4 weeks is a long wait.

I’d chase it up, there can be a delay in scans being reported on (getting the results turned around) but no harm in enquiring

In my experience, if anything is found that needs urgent attention, the results are turned around pretty quickly, so although you need answers, I’d find it reassuring

Defo phone

Don't worry that you don't know who the consultant is, find the number for the neurology dept on google, call and give them your name and DOB and they will be able to see who you're under, if your results are back and what the next steps are if any have been made, they can also speak to the consultant to let them know you called if not next steps have been arranged.

GP may have the results, and if so will know who you're under. Results won't usually be discussed over the phone but in covid times perhaps they are doing! If GP doesn't have results they won't necessarily know who you're under at the hospital as lots of referrals (especially 2 ww ones like yours) just get addressed "dear doctor"

Good luck x

I would phone hospital. I phoned GP about the same thing recently and the receptionist told me she had the results by letter but I would have to ask the hospital for the letter. I phoned the hospital and they emailed the letter to me. (They must have forgotten to send me the letter).

Thanks everyone for replying, and for all the useful advice! I've just been letting the days roll by thinking no point phoning because they will be in touch tomorrow.
It makes me feel better that you all agree I should contact them

@Millie2013 thanks, it is reassuring to know they wouldve been in touch sooner if it was urgent. It's my first MRI (hopefully my last). I just hope it has shown what the problem is so it can finally be fixed.

I'll try my GP first. I'm well known down there because a family member works in reception so hopefully theres something been sent there. Thanks again everyone for your help

@Ispywithmycynicaleye same position here. Had a ct scan 12 days ago and told I'd hear within 2 weeks. Still waiting. Partly hoping no news good news, but then again wondered if the clinician doing it (a doc) would have just said at the time all's ok. I might ring my consultant's secretary if I've not heard by the end of next week. Not sure if consultant appointments are face to face now or still phone based ? Would like to get the results in person tbh.

Katharinablum I know, it's so frustrating. I think what's making it worse for me is that my chin went numb just as lockdown hit.

Neurology weren't seeing patients so my urgent referral went nowhere. I've just had to let time rule out the possibilities of cancers and tumours which has been awful. Hopefully the MRI confirms this.

I feel the same about wanting the results face to face, it's just easier to have a discussion. I'm in scotland, I'm not sure if neurology are doing face to face yet. They weren't 4 weeks ago. I hope you hear about your results soon and it's good news.

@Katharinablum meant to tag you above.

@Ispywithmycynicaleye same here to you too ! Hope the news is good

I’m a medical secretary. Definitely phone to chase this up and I hope the news is good.

I phoned my GP this afternoon. The letter sent out by neurology had very little detail in it so they gave me the contact details. The neurologist's secretary explained that the MRI didn't show anything pressing on the nerve so I've been referred back to my GP for that.
I was gobsmacked to then be told it did show where part of my brain died from the stroke I had in 2010
I was rushed to hospital with full paralysis on the left. After a CT scan a neurologist told me I was fine, it was just one of those unexplained neurological blips that are nothing to worry and wont happen again!!
I did query this later to then be told I had had a hemaplegic migraine, even though my symptoms didn't fit I was only 29 in 2010, clearly they based their assumptions on my age at the time.

I'm still in shock but feel validated. My short term memory is dreadful and so is my concentration so I'm now thinking these are the consequences of the stroke? I'm going to make an appointment with my GP to discuss everything further.
Thanks to you all for giving me the push I needed to chase it up.