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Original poster

A thread of people on NHS waiting lists

79 replies

AngelaoftheNorth · 25/09/2022 17:52

Cardiac procedure scheduled for 12 days from now. Given the post-pandemic backlogs, though, I would imagine there are many, many people here waiting more like 12 weeks or 12 months for appointments, investigations, and surgery.

Would anyone like a support thread whilst we wait?

I'm feeling somewhat unwell (obviously, really) but what I am finding hardest of all is the anxiety. How are others on waiting lists doing?

OP posts:
Haudyourwheesht · 26/09/2022 19:34

DD's been on the waiting list for an endoscopy for 7 months. Waiting to be confirmed coeliac.

DaniGrrl · 26/09/2022 19:39

I have MS, but my neurologist is concerned that one of my symptoms may be Parkinson's or narcolepsy. He referred me last October, I had the tests in February, had an appointment through to discuss the results in July. It was cancelled and I was told another would be arranged in due course. Still waiting.

CornishGem1975 · 10/10/2022 19:57

Haven't got my CT date yet but start of July I was referred for a cardiac ultrasound, it came through for mid August but I had to move it due to holiday, had it at the start of September. It's taken a month for results to arrive today but same day they did and I get my consultant cardiologist appointment in 3 weeks. I can't really complain about that. Just hoping that's not a bad omen!

ObjectionSustained · 10/10/2022 20:01

I am waiting for 2 hips. I've been on the list, I think, 12 months now.

It's unbelievably frustrating.

I'm in pain. Cannot function as a proper human my age because I'm in pain all the time. Can't get down and play with DD (can barely walk her the 5 mins to school!)

Just horrendous.

Badbadbunny · 10/10/2022 20:03

MIL has one cataract done about 8 months ago, and still waiting for the other. Just one last minute cancellation after another. They should be done together with just a few weeks between. She is struggling as one eye is good, the other is bad, and she struggles to see things, and has already tripped over uneven paving slabs a couple of times. At least before she had one done, she could see with her glasses on.

mintiegreen · 10/10/2022 20:06

I was referred in March to maxillofacial surgery for a hemangioma on the roof of my mouth which bleeds and ulcers. It'll likely be next year, if then. Until then I have to be careful as to what foods I eat as it can make it worse and then I get a mouthful of blood each time I eat as well as excruciating pain.

Sickandtiredofbeingsick · 10/10/2022 23:45

This is horrendous and worrying, seeing so many of us waiting so long whilst in pain 😣

I’ve been on the waiting list for nearly 2 years now to have my impacted wisdom teeth surgically removed. I’ve just been referred to rheumatology and urology (so I’m guessing it will be at least a year until I’m seen). I was referred to Gastroenterology during the summer as I have suspected IBD and have just today had a call with my colonoscopy appointment for 2 weeks time. Luckily I have been under the ENT department for most of my life as I was told I needed a pretty serious operation in April (this was following lots of issues and appointments in the six months prior, because I could call them myself due to already being under their care). Asked how long I would be waiting and was told the surgery waiting list was currently 2 years 😳 However, all operations are done in order of need and due to the nature of mine I was operated on in July. When I rang to chase an appointment, the answerphone said if you were a new referral the waiting time was currently a year 😳 Such scary times. I don’t deal well with all the waiting and the worrying, my anxiety is through the roof! 😫

Rowgtfc72 · 11/10/2022 15:37

Dd went on the list for the orthodontist at 11. She's 15 now. We rang during covid to see how the list was going and the receptionist just laughed.
February we were told a four year list.
I told the dental nurse that was convenient as she'd be over 18 and we'd have to pay. She assured me as she went on the list as a child she wouldn't have to pay.
I wouldn't mind but the braces she needs are not cosmetic. She has a massive overbite and her teeth overlap so much eating is painful. But she's not a priority.

NewNameNeededNow · 11/10/2022 17:23

DN has scoliosis, getting worse by the year.

In the middle of 2019, after an MRI, they were told they needed an operation before they were 18. They were then told they wanted another MRI before surgery….

They are now 19 and still haven’t had that second MRI. They have an appointment to have a discussion with the consultant in December. They can no longer stand up for more than a few minutes due to the pain they are in so spend all day/night in bed on strong painkillers.

Gingerkittykat · 11/10/2022 17:31

Gastro appointment rescheduled from August 2020 to Feb 2022.

I was in the room for 2 minutes before he said I needed a CT scan, I had it in March and have had no kind of follow up to let me know the results or what happens next.

tillyandmilly · 11/10/2022 17:38

Frightening all these stories - this is why I have taken out private medical insurance - can’t really afford it monthly but cutting back on other stuff!

CornishGem1975 · 11/10/2022 19:50

@Rowgtfc72 We waited 48 months after initial appointment to see the orthodontist again, but we knew it would be that long and that was pre-covid. Once she got seen and properly assessed it was a month from appointment to braces. Covid actually only added 2-3 months onto the process which I was impressed with - but orthodontics clearly has a big issue!

Rowgtfc72 · 11/10/2022 20:04

@CornishGem1975 we had an orthodontist leave just before lockdown so his list was split between the remaining two.
Fingers crossed once she is seen treatment is prompt.

blackberriesaretheonlyfruit · 13/10/2022 01:51

Update on my previous post raised CA125 level in June, two weeks ago I had a scan and they found a mass in my womb, I was red flagged AGAIN for gynae and I still haven't seen a consultant nor will I apparently for at least a few months. Is it cancer or a fibroid? I've also more cysts than ovaries left so Who knows... I'm bloody exhausted and passing fist size clots. If I treated my pets health like this I'd be in prison for neglect.

Bridget944 · 17/10/2022 18:43

How long have people waited to see a gynocolagist? My GP referred me 9 weeks ago

AsdaYellowTins · 17/10/2022 19:14

Been into A&E twice this year with chest pains. Each time I am advised that I am not having a heart attack so I can go, but need to see GP. Have been unable to get in to see GP. Gp has however referred me, by phone, for an appt for cardiology. I have had a letter to say I am on the list, no idea when I will get an appt. It has been 4 months already.
They have put me on beta blockers, blood pressure tablets and aspirin to reduce chance of a heart attack while I wait.....

Rattlethestars · 17/10/2022 20:08

@Bridget944 I've been waiting 15 months and still not heard a thing except a letter to confirm I was on a waiting list back in September last year 🤷 I do actually need to chase it up again as my symptoms have changed somewhat.

confused162 · 17/10/2022 20:23

@blackberriesaretheonlyfruit That sounds absolutely horrendous. I can't imagine what you are going through. I would be climbing the walls.

Did they give any indication what it might be? What has your GP said?

ThisIsMeToooo · 17/10/2022 20:30

Today got a referral for urology scan - was told it wasn't an urgent referral so expect to be about 8 weeks. I think she is being overly optimistic.

Lula74 · 17/10/2022 20:56

@blackberriesaretheonlyfruit I had your symptoms and it was fibroids. If that's any comfort. Doesn't solve your worry, but if it is fibroids it's not a danger like cancer is, just a bloody (literally) nuisance. My experience was the referral process wasn't urgent because they knew from a combo of the CA 125 (raised but not scarily so), other bloods and the scan that it was fibroids. I jumped the queue because I bled so badly I had to be admitted for a blood transfusion, which is not a route I would recommend 😩 can you go back to GP and stress how much the blood loss is affecting you and ask them to expedite? Gynae waits are truly shocking. I'm sorry.

Lula74 · 17/10/2022 20:57

I'm also waiting for surgery, hysterectomy. Been waiting since June, which in the scheme of things here doesn't seem so bad! No communication from department tho...

Thekormachameleon · 17/10/2022 21:00

I've been waiting 2.5 years for an urgent, emergency opthalmic appointment, 2 years for an urgent dental surgery and 6 months so far for urgent cardiac referral when it was found I had an irregular heartbeat

Bridget944 · 17/10/2022 21:25

That is sooooo bad I genuinely don’t think I can wait that long! I’ve booked to have a consultation with a private gynaecologist to get an oppinion ect and if I’d be a candidate for surgery but I know I won’t be able to afford the next steps privately

Waveacrossabay · 17/10/2022 21:35

Waiting for thyroid removal can't have radioactive iodine because I now have graves eye disease. I manage to see my endocrinologist every 6 weeks Because I had a thyroid storm in April when I was diagnosed. Can't ttc until after the removal and that looks like it'll be 15 months from now.. it's shit really

blackberriesaretheonlyfruit · 20/10/2022 11:40

@lula74 I've had four transfusions in the last twelve months sadly. Pretty sure it's fibroids here too (ive neurofibromatosis so fibroids/fibromas would make sense). Hopefully you get your date for your op soon. Two people have asked in the last few weeks when my baby is due and does my teenager mind the big age gap 🙃 ...