A thread of people on NHS waiting lists

[AngelaoftheNorth]

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?

Just had my womb out, it took 15 months since being added to waiting list. Mid Yorkshire trust

For a giant fibroid.

@blackberriesaretheonlyfruit Oh, I know how you feel. I am resisting buying too many bigger clothes as I hope to not fit in them soon, but I'm very self conscious going out. Happier now it's winter and the big coats are on the way. Sorry to hear you've had a rough ride. I've had three iron infusions but only the one lot of blood. Can't wait for it all to be over, hope you're sorted soon too 💜

@Lula74 got an appointment finally for 14th November! My comment to the GP was my infusions and transfusions had cost more to the NHS than a single gynae appointment! I absolutely can't wait to buy new undies and anything that isn't elasticated waisted 😆

@blackberriesaretheonlyfruit Yay, so pleased for you! Hope this is you well on the way to a solution now, that’s fab 💜💜

I've been on waiting lists for cardiology and neurology since June - so not that long in the scheme of things but I don't have a lot of hope I'll be seen any time soon. In the meantime I've been refused hydrotherapy for pain management due to uncontrolled, undiagnosed potential seizure activity. So apparently I'm too sick and too high risk to go in a warm swimming pool under direct supervision, but well enough to be left for months waiting for a neuro assessment, scans etc.

I was sent for tests in April 2021, results (fibroids) in May. Took 6 months to see the consultant. Now a year on, having chased the hospital for months and repeatedly turned down pre-op assessments that would have been wasted, I have a surgery date in a few weeks.

It was already on shaky ground due to the blood shortages BUT I have just had covid and the guidance is not to have surgery within 7 weeks of covid infection. Has anyone else had this happen to them? What was the outcome?

I have cancer and mastectomy was done without reconstruction to get cancer out asap that was Dec 21. Cannot be added to nhs waitlist for reconstruction until July 23 then 18 month wait.

Heard of a few people having Covid thing and it varies it’s worth discussing with them sometimes they budge sometimes they won’t depends length of op risks etc. Though think the 7 week thing came out pre vaccines so is over cautious now unless in very high risk group.

Bloody hell @Silkierabbit thats a hell of a wait.

I'm 18 months for impacted wisdom tooth, on antibiotics every 3 months and it's getting worse

I'm not high risk, but it's major surgery. The guidance to wait 7 weeks was reiterated earlier this year for anything other than pretty superficial ops, so I'm just waiting for them to come back to me but not holding my breath

I have heard of breast cancer ops having it reduced roughly half but think it’s a balance of things. But bigger the op yes less likely.

I have had serious problems with my ears all my life and several operations. In the past, it was always my left ear but since 2020 it has been my right ear. I was told that I needed an operation - day surgery and local anaesthetic in the first instance. This was in March and I finally went for the surgery on September 6th (imagine an injection directly into the ear…). He fiddled around and then declared that he was unable to do the operation under local anaesthetic. Apparently, as well as a permanently perforated eardrum my jawbone is slightly out of line because of the previous operations I have had. I have to go back to outpatients to discuss having the necessary surgery under general anaesthetic. I finally have an appointment for November 21st. Goodness knows how long l will have to wait for the operation.

My CT scan appointment came through today, I was referred after an A&E visit in July, letter requesting scan was sent out in August, scan is December. I was told it could be next year so I suppose not too bad?

Have posted on another thread but, just to add, I have been waiting for six months for a spirometry test (got an appointment at the end of this month, all being well). I have been waiting for five months for a pancreatic scan (CT scan) - no idea when that will be arranged.

Fortunately, my symptoms do not stop me from carrying on my day-to-day life (although uncomfortably), but without diagnostic tests, effective support cannot be put in place. This includes preventative procedures, such as regular check-ups and reviews to detect changes.

My father-in-law had been waiting for two years for a hip and knee replacement. In the end, he fell and broke his hip, and then he received the operations.

Asked in October for a follow up on gastro meds I was put onto last March. I'm getting it online at the end of Jan 2023.

Also getting a bladder scan in 2 weeks - was requested about a month ago so pretty impressed really.

I'm just as surprised with the private wait times. 3 months for a consultation then another 2.5 months to remove BCC.

Was previously misdiagnosed so had 18 months.

I’ve been on the mental health waiting list for a year now. Been told to expect to be on it for up to another 2 years before they get round to assessing me. They telephone every six months for 60 seconds just to make sure I haven’t topped myself in the meantime.

Breast cancer diagnostic op to remove symptomatic duct(s), only moved a couple of weeks so far from mid November to the end of the month, waiting to see what happens...

DD had a scan for potential endometriosis 11 months ago. The follow up phone appt was organised for last week. They called an hour early and she wasn't available ( on a work call) so missed the appt.

DH had an early skin cancer removed in Jan 2020. Follow up was cancelled due to COVID- after chasing them up he has an appt in Dec nearly two years after the lesion was removed...

Waiting for a hall bladder scan as they think I might have a blocked bile duct from blood tests.

Really don't want it to get to the point where I have full on gall bladder pain.

(I know that's really minuscule compared to cancer patients and life threatening illnesses)

Let me please preempt with the US is not perfect,in so very many ways....I don't need to spell it out😢

And yes we(personally)have 2 cleanings a year each family member (5)for dental visits.
(Sidenote,I required a root canal to save a tooth,had an appointment within days)
I received a local and gas during the whole procedure.

Dr visits(which can schedule anytime) and for my family mri's,lab's and certain surgeries are covered bc my hub has excellent insurance (which we are very thankful for and don't take it for granted ever).

This is only to explain our personal situation for context.

It truly hurts my heart to read that y'all (I'm from a State in the South) are hoping for visits by telephone.But are essentially intercepted by receptionists,not even medical professionals.

Folks waiting for chemo treatments,mental health issues and the lady who is waiting for proper diagnosis,treatment and reconstructive this and all women deserve.

I guess that I have become disheartened in reading that in-person appointments are incredibly difficult to get,even when it's serious health matter.

I TRULY hope that it gets better for each and every one of you. That your health problems will be taken seriously and that Dr's will remember the oath they took to treat patients.