Bad to worse

    • Gold Top Dog

    Bad to worse

    For those who read my other post......
     
    I tried to call my neurologist this morning, only to find that he is on holiday.  His secretary spoke to me, though, and said there is a note on my file about referring me to this guy in London who is a whiz with strange headaches.  She wasn't sure if the referral had actually been made, so I called the neurology centre where this guy works.  Turns out no, my referral has NOT been made, and the EARLIEST I can see this guy is the MIDDLE OF DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!
     
    AAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    That is, by the way, if I pay to see him privately.  If I see him on the NHS (UK standard healthcare) it will be sometime next year.  Privately I am looking at about $500 USD per appointment plus whatever tests or hospital admittance I might need.
     
    So now I don't know what the heck to do.  By the time I see this guy, who may not even have any answers, I will have been suffering for a year and a half.  I hate hate hate the NHS - waiting list times in this bloody country are unreal, and the hospitals are useless.  When I first got sick, I was admitted to the hospital for a week - and in that week I had an MRI....that's it.  They didn't even do any standard bloodwork, and then they sent me home saying they couldn't figure out my problem.  No wonder, since they barely tried.  I swear the healthcare system here is the worst in the world.  When I was living in North America I broke my cheekbone and I had blood tests done when I went to the hospital for THAT.  I cannot wait to move, I can't stand this country anymore.  I don't care if it is my homeland - it is worse than useless if you get sick.
     
    Thanks for the place to vent....am in tears once again.  I know I have promised to email/pm some of you, I will get to it when my head is in a better place - metaphorically, if not physically.
     
    Kate
    • Gold Top Dog
    Wow, I imagine you're super frustrated.  I would be too and it doesn't sound like you have a bunch of options either.  I'm sorry that you're going thru this and I honestly hope that there just might be some alternative to either see some other "specialist" who can get you in sooner or maybe if your Dr. makes the call and says "I need her to be seen sooner than December" that would help.  I hope you get some answers soon.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Kate not much I can say to you but {{hugs}} and hang in there.  Riley says he wants to give you big smooches and butt wiggles to make you feel better.
     
    Hang in there.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Kate, that all sounds terribly frustrating. And I hate headaches! I've been having cluster headaches and it sucks big time!

    I don't have any health insurance. There is no national plan in the US. It's extremely expensive in Alaska to go to the doctor. Medical people come up here and expect to make big bucks, they still have the pipeline attitude. The pipeline boom is long over but all the dental and medical people here still charge triple what things cost in the lower 48. I have asthma and have to scrounge for medicine.

    Looks like we both get to feel crappy for a while and just suck it up. [sm=sad.gif]
    • Silver
    Hope you feel better soon. I'm shocked they didn't do any blood tests or a CAT scann along with the MRI.
    I would see another specialist to get another opinion and demand more tests. I know exactly what you are going through I have suffered migrain headachs for over 17 years and they are no fun. 
     
    I have to agree with the health system it doesn't matter where you go in the world they are all pathetic.