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Consultant appointment today- Not happy


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Went for my consultant appointment today. Firstl I walked in and sat down and the registrar (not consultant as I thought) asked why I was there. I told him about all the physical and emotional symptoms that I have been experiencing in the last 12 ish weeks. I explained that after my SAH in sept 2006, things did get better but come Sept 2007, I started having different symptoms such as headaches, tenderness/ pain to back of head, dizziness, bluriness, shakes/ shaky legs, sickness/nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, bright lights/ sudden light/noise problems, tenderness/ pain at bottom of spine, emotional, frustration etc. that have got worse. The registrar said he had not heard of some of the symptoms and went to ask the consultant. He came back saying neither had the consultant and that they would scan within the next 6 months hopefully! I said this wasn't good enough as I couldn't carry on like this. He went back to the consultant and said they woud try within 1-3 weeks cos I wasn't happy.

The symptoms that he hadn't heard of he just said maybe they are psychological. I am furious because I know that I am not making them up! He said don't worry and just see what happens. I've been doing that for the last 12 weeks!!

Also is a SAH a stroke or not? I thought I'd read several times that it ws but he said no then said oh I don't know you'd need to ask the consultant! He then said look i've got other patients to see and I am running behind and asked us to leave. I wouldn't mind if we'd been in there a long time! Also to add insult to injury he answered his bleep about 15 times and made several phonecalls, then throwing his chain of thought when he came back to me.

Has anyone had a similar experience or got any advice on what to do next?

Thanks

Laura

xx

Trying to be positive xx

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I'm sorry that happened to you, I'm glad though that your trying to be positive.

In my last couple of visits I havent seen the consultant at all its always been the registrar, I'm glad you stood your ground, I was told by the consultant (so that was in the early days) that they only learned by what people told they as to how we feel (dont know if I've said that right) but they can operate but they relay on us to tell them about 'afterwards'

But I do think that this is different everywhere, I do think that they should do as much about the bedside manner after as well as during.

I do hope I'm making sense.

I dont think you symptoms are psychological.

Also one of my visits with the consultant not the one who operated on me by that time he was in Aussie, but another man he took numerous phone calls while I was there, was there an emergancy well you'd think so, he couldnt get booked for a round of golf the next day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care

Louise.xxx

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Hi Laura

Sorry to hear about your poor treatment by the registrar, that's disgusting! :( If he's not heard of your symptoms, he needs to go back to med.school. To answer your question about whether SAH is a stroke or not, I'm no doctor, but yes it definitely is. It's a haemorrhagic stroke as opposed to most peoples idea of a stroke - an ischaemic stroke. Google them and you'll see what I mean. As I say, back to med.school! I only found that out after being told I'd had two strokes and later had it confirmed that it was two bleeds.

No real advice other than to keep on at the GP/hospital and try to get an appointment with the organ grinder (consultant) rather than the monkey.

Regards

Keith

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Louise- Thanks for your reply- Yeah obviously I wouldn't have minded if they were emergencies but they weren't. he just kept saying ok i'll ring/ write that down. The secretary came in 3 times as well whilst I was there for no reason connected to me either - one was to pickup some paperwork, one to drop off some paperwork and just a random visit!

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Hi Laura and sorry to hear your news....

Keith is right, a SAH is classified as a haemorrhagic stroke ..... A stroke is classified as any interruption to the blood supply in the brain.....whether it's from a bleed, such as a SAH or a clot.

This extract is from Wikipedia........

Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. This phenomenon can be due to ischemia (lack of blood supply) caused by thrombosis or embolism, or due to a hemorrhage.[1] In medicine, a stroke, fit, or faint is sometimes referred to as an ictus [cerebri], from the Latin icere ("to strike"), especially prior to a definitive diagnosis.

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I've decided after many hours of worry, upset ande tears tomake an appt with my GP tomorrow. He worked in neurology so hopefully will be able to advise me. Last time I went to see him he wanted me to go t a+e but I wouldn't go because couldn't trust hospital (as didn't diagnose 1st time) now i'm losing faith in 2nd hospital. will see what he says but sure won't sleep tonight thinking about it!

Hope everyone else has a good evening xx

Will report more tomorrow- I am trying to be positive just finding it very difficult!

Thanks for all your support- i now its wrong to say but nice to know people in same/ similar situations xx

Laura

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Hi Laura,

What a crappy day you've had. Don't let them get you down. I have been appalled by the general off handed approach in aftercare. I like my consultant but have probably learned more from this site. I was told I didn't have a stroke, But Guess that medically its not a stroke as they see it because its a Haem... Stroke.

Naturally you have lost faith but do keep on pushing, esp for your scan in 3 weeks. That will at least be another step.

Whilst I wouldn't wish an SAH on anyone really they can't know unless they have or cared for someone like ourselves. Although a little compassion costs nothing. Some of the people I've meet have been amazing a deserve a medal, there are others who have been very lacking and really should not be in the caring profession.

You hang in there.

:D

Big love and Hugs

Aine xox

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Laura -- In the 14 months since my SAH, I have NEVER seen the consultant, just a set of registrars whose interest in neurology seemed peripheral, to put it mildly. I wondered why some of them even chose the specialisation.

The first time i got really upset, because I had the same brusque jerk (sorry, there is no other suitable word) who dealt with me in hospital and told me I could go back to the gym as soon as I got out of hospital and just resume normal life like nothing had happened. The second one was somewhat better (eg, he had a personable manner as well as an IQ above room temperature) but was clearly reading my notes as I walked in and hence his knowledge of my case was...shallow. They told me diametrically different things about the aftereffects of what should happen.

If it weren't for this site, I don't know where I'd be because it helped me have some context to what had happened. My GP is very sympathetic and if you have one with a neurology background, all the better. But I think many of us really, really emphathize with what you've been through.

Joanxx

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Guest yasmin

Oh I'm glad its not just me who has problems with aftercare, they lost my records at the hospital so what do you think of that? when they finally found them my 3 month check ended up being a six month check.

My doc says i'm suffering from deression but the waiting list for councellor is 9 months!in the meantime I am still having terrible nightmares and they always seem to be of someone attacking me, the last one was me being betten on the head with a baseball bat. I think that they are still very behind on this illness and I'm glad that the govenment are going to put more money into the NHS for stroke victims, lets hope that they concentrate on the aftercare to.

Have a good evening everyone and on a brighter note its been just like a spring day here in Surrey.

Yasmin

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Just a quick update for everyone, I couldn't see my GP today so going to ring again in the morning. they said they would try and get me in as an emergency tomorrow morning. I hope they do because they are closed on a Thursday afternoon and I want the advice. I've just rang to speak to my optician who knew about the headaches etc. She was great and said that she didn't think the problems were vision related and thought they were brain related. She said if I wanted to have another site test she would be willing to do one but didn't see the need yet unless I have vision problems. I told her about the 'spots' in front of my eyes but again she thought the problems were from the visual cortex in my brain rather than my eyes. So all I can say is thank you to her at least she listened to me and didn't have several interruptions! The waiting game is still on...

Laura

xx

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I've seen my GP and I must say I do feel a bit better. He said unfortunately there was nothing he could do until I'd had the scan but as he is a neurology doctor anyway, he told me to ask for a copy of the scan and take it back to him as well as wait for my consultant. He then said not to wait for a consultantancy appt and ring and ask for results. He said if they come back fine then we will go down migraine route again and try other meication. I've already tried paramax and they didn't work for long.

On the emotional side, he said that was the problem when virtually stuck in four walls and suggested that whilst I wait for te scan to try and build myself up a bit and go out when I can. Then go back to work gradually even of no answers to see how it goes. I kind of feel etter knowing that my GP thinks I could go back eventually. I am going to ring my headteacher and ask if could do part time, maybe starting in a month Hopefully then by that time I'll have had the scan and feel stronger to cope with my class again.

Has anyone any ideas/ suggestions/ advice?

Thanks

Laura

xx

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Hi Laura,

That sounds sensible advice from the GP. My GP put me on Propranolol, which is a beta blocker and it's cut my migraines right down. I do get the odd one, but maybe only once every 4 months. It has also helped with the anxiety too.

It's definetly worth trying to build your stamina and confidence back up and getting yourself out as much as you can ..... even a short walk around the block, would help, especially if you're feeling low.

Don't give up on the idea of working again, but I would definetly take small steps ...... would they let you go in for a few hours, every now and again, so that you can see how you cope?

Keep positive and it sounds as though you've got a good GP....

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Karen- Thanks, yeah I have got a good GP. he is one of those honest doctors that would tell you if he thought you were messing around! I plucked up the courage to ring my headteacher, but she was unavailable- typical hey! Am just going to suggest that I go in when I feel up to it. Been for a work round the block too and its raining! Do feel better for it! Don't know whether can ever see myself full time at school as its not just 9-5 its all marking and planning as well but will see what happens. If I can't sort finances I won't have a choice to work full time!

Laura

xx

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Hi Laura,

Just wondering have you had an Occupational Health Assessment to see if you are able to go back to work?

After talking to my G.P and a period of Good Health and feeling slightly pushed by my boss, I thought I was going to be back to work in Jan. I had a slight relapse b4 Christmas, thought I was back to normal and I over did things. My Occupational Health Said def not ready for work just yet but will hopefully reassess me in Feb.

I agree it is good to go out, but there are somedays Fatigue does just take over. I feel the Doc's sometimes find it hard to read if a person's symtoms are more because of the Fatigue or Depression.

I'm having a reappearance of the emotional labilty at the moment was crying at the soaps the other day :lol:

Big Hugs

Aine x

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Hi Aine,

I agree about the fatigue or depression bit and think that the Doc's do find it hard to know which it is ..... I must admit, that I find it hard knowing which one I've got myself, on the occasions when it does kick in ...... however, with the depression bit, my motivation goes to zero and my mood lowers for no reason. With the fatigue, I tend to experience the brain fog, where I can't talk or think properly and then I know that I have to shut my eyes. It's taken me practically two and a half years to see the differences between the two and then again, it's not always quite the same signs .... it's confusing.. :?

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Aine- no haven't had an occupational health assessment. I've never heard of it not alone had one. Are they worth having then and how do I go about it? Trouble is with teaching, is as much as its a fab job, i'm in the classroom at 7.30 in the morning, most evenings leave at 6 and then mark and plan in te evenings. Most evenings not turning off the computer till 10ish. I don't even think I would be able to do my planning on the computer at this present time.

Karen- I thought I was starting to tell the difference between the fatigue and depression but obviously not. I was putting it down to tiredness but maybe it is depression as well. I don't know :?

My trouble was that I went back to school at the strat o 2007 full time and it took me till July to gain stamina. Then when I came back in September feeling great and I think pushed myself far too much. Then hit all these problems come November. On the plus side it has meant that i've missed two inspections one LEA and one OFSTED, which i was pleased about because I think I would have toppled over but I just want some form of normality. Maybe I need to learn how to understand my body a bit better.

Laura

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I have to say my own reactions are much as Karen's. When depressed I can't motivate myself very well, even for basic things and become extremely self-critical/lose confidence. But at the same time, am not necessarily "tired" but rather lethargic, whereas the "brain fog" of tiredness is a much more defined event and when it hits nothing short of a direct nuclear hit could stop me falling asleep. It is frustrating at times because you do feel like you are on autopilot and someone else is at the controls....

Joanxx

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Hi Laura,

I'm not sure of the legaliites, but I was under the impression that an Occupational Health assessment was quite standard and had to be completed before someone on Long Term sick could return to work.

There is usually a graded return to work. Did you say earlier that you went straight back full-time? That must have been tough. Other folk I've heard usually start off with a few hours a week to build themselves up.

If you have a Union I would ask them, and your G.P.

Good Luck.

Let us know how you get on.

Aine x

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I had my SAH in September 2006, went back to work part time in the November building it up each week. Then I did the last week of term in December full time and started back after christmas full time. It was really hard work and I didn't really settle back in/ cope until about July. then of course it was the summer holiday so had chance to recover! then in September I went back to school full time and feeling great but think I overdone it come start of November and been off ever since.

Will look into the occupational health. I didn't have one before and nobody has mentioned it. I will try and find out and let you all know.

Laura

xx

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