I feel like I’m nagging my GP, but I’m in so much pain

[WeCouldBeNiceToEachOther]

I have a knee issue - suspected torn meniscus. I’ve contacted them and been told to book physio, so I have. It’s two and a half weeks away.

im in so much pain right now. Even sitting at my desk is painful. My knee is catching, I can’t straighten it properly and it’s feeling swollen and “full” inside. Walking is becoming more and more painful.

i want to put another form in to the gp because it’s getting worse, but I also think they’ll be annoyed at me because I have the physio in two weeks

Hi, OP. That sounds extremely painful. I'm not a medical professional but I am proficient with Googling. I researched the meniscus and what it is, and it seems as though a tear in the meniscus is treated with surgery, not physio. Reason being that there might be a loose bit of the meniscus getting stuck somewhere in the knee which is then causing the knee to catch and/or not straighten out fully. This needs surgical intervention. Don't worry about nagging your GP, you need to advocate hard these days and nagging is the only way you'll get anywhere.

All the best.

It’s worth popping into the pharmacy and asking them what they recommend you taking for pain relief in the meantime.

In countries with a functioning health system it’s surgery but that’s a last resort here. I just feel like I’m constantly contacting them about this but I feel like I’m not being taken seriously

You should definitely say you need strong pain relief. Dihydrocodeine or something. And ibuprofen gel to rub on it.

Don't feel guilty about contacting them again if it's getting unbearably painful you need at least some pain killers.

Don't feel guilty about contacting your GP again they are your best route within the NHS to get further care. I'd be asking to be referred to a specialist. there will be a long wait for sure - but sooner you're on the list the better.
Also ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief. What are you taking currently for the pain??
If you need to take Ibuprofen for any length of time ensure you also take omeprazole alongside. - again speak to pharmacist - both available without prescription. Alternative is Naproxen but available on prescription - so you will need GP for that.

How did you do it? Have you had an xray?

I’m taking ibuprofen but it’s doing squat all

On a run about 4 months ago I stepped up onto the pavement and it popped, I didn’t seek medical attention at the time because I stupidly thought it would just resolve itself but it never did

I’ve sent a form so I just have to wait and see what they say. It just worries me that they’ll see me as nagging and they’ll ignore me

A good physio will diagnose as well as treat. They are far more qualified than GPs to diagnose complex knee issues. You can't expect to be referred for surgery without other avenues being explored first.

I’ve not said that. I just find it incredibly frustrating that I’m in pain and all I get is a video call three weeks in the future

You need a referral for an MRI to assess what damage has actually been done and as PPs have said, whether it needs surgery. A physio may help but it sounds like you need imaging first to work out what has happened. You need to keep nagging some GPs, don't feel bad about it. Some stronger pain relief sounds necessary too.

They’ve just told me it’s “best resolved” by the physiotherapy team. I feel like they’re not paying attention to what I said

I work in a GP practice, we're one of the few that actually talk to patients rather than have them book one though. If you called and I spoke to you I would book you in for a call to discuss pain relief, they might not be able to do anything to your knee but they could definitely prescribe something. If you have spoken to a GP before I would say you might not even need and appointment they might be willing to prescribe based on info from your last app.

They won’t even let me speak to one. I’ve phoned them and the receptionist was pretty rude and made it clear that their opinion is that I cannot seek GP help for this issue

You can find the physio leaflets online (https://www.kch.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pl-939.1-meniscal-tear.pdf) is a good one from King's. You can start doing the stage 1 exercises and following the other care advice pretty much straight off without needing to see anyone and, especially the PRICE part of care, you'll probably start to get relief pretty quickly.

It may be that you've been referred to a musculoskeletal assessment clinic rather than just for physio. In many areas this is how it works for back and joint pain. Your first review might be with a physio, but they decide if you need an MRI etc and can refer if needed.

Definitely worth seeing GP re increasing analgesia in meantime.

Also if you have the funds you could self refer for an MRI to speed the process.

My GP won’t speak to me about it at all. I’ve messaged the physio and said I’ll take a short notice cancellation appointment but it’s just a video call so I don’t think it’s that sort of assessment

In some areas, physios can refer for an MRI but GPs cannot.

I think your GP absolutely should be helping you with pain relief, though.

I’m going to call in the morning and try to get a cancellation

That's really crappy, I hope you manage to get an app tomorrow, you shouldn't have to suffer in pain.

That's really crappy, I hope you manage to get an app tomorrow, you shouldn't have to suffer in pain.

I luckily work near the physio so I’m going to drop into them and just see if there’s any chance of getting an earlier cancellation appointment

That's what happens in a country that prefers to put something as fragile as healthcare into the hands of the state. You end up with rationing, long waiting times and medical professionals with their hands tied behind their backs by management. Many people will say it's the Tories' fault for underfunding it despite year-on-year increases in public spending. But I digress.

You need an MRI at very least to confirm what's going on with your knee and then surgery to fix it.

I feel like GP receptionists are GP gatekeepers who think they know you better than you do and whose roll it is to make sure you never see a GP face-to-face.

I have had a few injures over the years and have paid for an mri privately (vista health is good as they have scans all over the country and you can refer yourself). It just means you’re not second guessing what’s going on and can start moving forward.

I also have had very bad experience with NhS physio and have gone to private physio as well. If you do need surgery you need to jump through the NHS hoops but if you want clear info at this stage in my experience it’s best to pay for it yourself.