Does anyone listen? - So Annoyed

Quincy and Old Hat,

From reading Schmoner's post it is clear to me that he/she is residing in the UK which is probably the worst thing for anyone with UC, the reasons being are many including, National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists: When I was first diagnosed with heart problems in Northern Ireland I had to wait 6 months to see a specialist and that was put through as an urgent appointment we get referred to GI's/consultants by GP's who do not prescribe enemas the reason why is beyond me, but I have seen enough GP's in my time and been told no, the nearest I came to Rectal meds were Predfoam which is not sufficient if the inflamation is anywhere further round the colon than the left side. The waiting list to see a GI was around 3 months, and over the counter medications in the UK stop at Paracetamol you need a prescription to even blow your nose ha ha, of course with the GP's here having a time limit of 5 minutes per patient, in my opinion it takes at least a minute from being called into the room and getting the welcome out of the way so you are down to 4 minutes to tell him or her your current issue(s) the GP to decide what to do with you and before you know it next it's time up, pressure on GP's is immense and therefore the quality of healthcare although cheaper than what the US and other countries recieve is far lower.

Schmoner, when I was first diagnosed I too was told it was all in my head, I was given peppermint pills and Antidepressants, referred to a psychiatrist and kicked out of the door hee hee, so I fully understand your frustration and remember even though it seems we are lecturing you we are totally on your side and I assure you we only have your best interests in our words and thoughts.

Take care.

Dave

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Craig,

Don't forget what I said about A+E it seemed to me to be the easiest way to get the help I needed when things were as bad as they clearly are for you, they can't kick you out and they aren't clock watching they will either admit you and get you sorted or give you a letter for your GP instructing a change in meds, I went 3 times and was admitted twice it was difficult for me to go at first because I didn't want to waste resources, but you know what swayed it for me was that I thought of how many people ended up there who had bumped their heads during a night on the town and as my disease isn't self inflicted I knew I had every right togo and get the help I needed.

I see from your signature block that you were waiting to start on Azathioprine have you started yet? I started on it must be nearly 2 years now I can't begin to tell you how much it improved my life, it took something like 8 months to see changes but I went from not leaving the house to returning ack to full time work and getting dragged around the shops by the wife ha ha, it worked for me, of course we are all different but, I have my fingers crossed that you get the same results.

Ha ha your doctor must have been praying she could make up that extra minute on her next patient ha ha ha, it's amazing how many people in other countries think we have a good healthcare system if only they knew hee hee, I don't know if I said in my last reply but I am now living/working in Germany, and waiting lists just don't exist not as we know them anyway

Vent all you want mate until you get into remission you have got plenty to vent about but promise me one thing, do not forget to take your calcium supplements, I say that because my joints are in a bad state, I wasn't given calcium supplements for months after being started on Pred, then I didn't really consider them to be so important well I should change my nickname to fool in capital letters.

Take care mate and we are all here for you.

Dave

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