Doctors

[muddy]

Thank goodness and touch wood I am in relative good health but I am getting older .
I did see a doctor a month back I rang for an appointment and nearly fell over when a ) they answered the phone and b) said there was an appointment with Dr so and so as someone had just cancelled  I was so shocked they could have said DrJekyll  I would have taken it .
But Mr M has numerous health problems and he is stoic he would never see a doctor for something trivial for his recent hip operation we were lucky enough to be able enough to go privately else he would probably still be waiting .

[dextrous63]

Meanwhile, ... on Monday I'll have my (phone) consultation with the, er, consultant about my continued swallowing disorder (achalasia) since the Heller Myotomy I had last December doesn't seem to have succeeded fully.

On another subject, I signed up to take part in some paid research program.  Had a CT scan on Monday this week as part of it.  It's shown something up which they want to investigate further, but which will hopefully not be anything to worry about.  I mention this since without signing up for the research program, it's unlikely that I'd be aware of this thing they found (they're going to compare with the CT scan I had a couple of years ago whilst diagnosing the oesophagus issue, and have booked me in for a further scan in 2 month's time), and it's down to luck of circumstances that an early identification has taken place.  The additional irony is that I'll have actually been paid to take the fortuitous CT scan this week.

[GrannyMac]

The 'health care practitioner' is a glorified nurse or physiotherapist who has a Blue Peter badge. After nine months of pushing to see a doctor I was finally seen for an endoscopy. I was referred to a cancer nurse in case the biopsy showed malignant cells.

Fortunately I got the all clear but would have helped if the GP had seen me earlier.

Do you know how much training and expertise these 'glorified nurses' have?  As an example, my daughter has 25 years nursing experience, plus a masters' degree, and a prescribing qualification.  As well as managing her team and seeing patients she teaches trainee doctors and nurses in her speciality.  A wee bit more than a Blue Peter badge.  As I said in my earlier post, I had excellent treatment from an ACP at the walk in centre.

Good news that you got the all clear.

[dextrous63]

I recall the comedian Harry Hill saying that when he was a practising doctor, if he or any of his colleagues wanted to know what treatment to give, they asked the nurses.

[klondike]

Amazingly sitting waiting for a real doctor. Maybe they are not as hard to reach as I thought.

[Raven]

Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis Raven? Thinning bone density affects lots of older people, especially women. I hope you're doing better now.

Yes unfortunately, it's hit me a lot harder than I expected it to. The surgeon in Ninewells told me he thought I did have it that's why he wanted me to have the scan, it's why when I fell the bone shattered didn't just break.
It's made me so wary of everything I do and to be honest it's scaring the hell out of me, it's even altered the way I think. Not been up on the clydes since I got the results....and that's not me, I love the evening beach rides.
I'm on 2 more meds....groan. One I take twice a day and the other is only once a week, so far no side effects from it but there's a lot of not nice ones, I've to phone the Doctor at once if any do appear.
I'm thinking of heading away down to Perth soon as I really need some alone time, this has all made me snappy, upset and probably not nice to be around.

[JBR]

Do you know how much training and expertise these 'glorified nurses' have?  As an example, my daughter has 25 years nursing experience, plus a masters' degree, and a prescribing qualification.  As well as managing her team and seeing patients she teaches trainee doctors and nurses in her speciality.  A wee bit more than a Blue Peter badge.  As I said in my earlier post, I had excellent treatment from an ACP at the walk in centre.

Good news that you got the all clear.

Absolutely true regarding highly qualified and experienced nurses.
Let the greedy junior doctors go on strike.  Promote the best nurses and offer them a pay rise.
I'm sure the consultants would go along with that too.

[klondike]

Eastern European doctor. She seemed keen. Blood test to book, an ultrasound scan booked, told to monitor BP for 4 days ( but the text missed out the link to send results) and a lifestyle councillor will be calling to book me in. Plus some alternative pills to statins which I won't take prescribed but only to be started post blood test results.

I went in because of an intermittent pain in my leg.

[klondike]

The blood test at the hospital is a joke. First available appointment 16 May. This used to be a walk in service pre covid.

Called about missing results link. A mystery. It is supposed to be autogenerated. They sent another text, Still no link. I volunteered to write results down and take them in. Sorted.

Nothing seems to work well in the NHS. Falling to bits.

[GrannyMac]

We must be lucky here, as well a a city centre GP walk in, there's a blood testing drive through centre. And when you've been referred for an xray, no appointment is needed, just walk in.  There's a specialist children's hospital with it's own A&E, a cancer hospital, and two huge general hospitals. 

I've been offered surgery next month, but I've put it off as I'm going to Scotland in July and don't want to cancel.  I haven't been 'home' for a couple of years.

April 26, 2024, 05:58:57 PM

Yes unfortunately, it's hit me a lot harder than I expected it to. The surgeon in Ninewells told me he thought I did have it that's why he wanted me to have the scan, it's why when I fell the bone shattered didn't just break.
It's made me so wary of everything I do and to be honest it's scaring the hell out of me, it's even altered the way I think. Not been up on the clydes since I got the results....and that's not me, I love the evening beach rides.
I'm on 2 more meds....groan. One I take twice a day and the other is only once a week, so far no side effects from it but there's a lot of not nice ones, I've to phone the Doctor at once if any do appear.
I'm thinking of heading away down to Perth soon as I really need some alone time, this has all made me snappy, upset and probably not nice to be around.

Sorry to hear that Raven, quite a worry for you.  I can see why you're being so careful.  I hope things improve with the treatment.

[Raven]

Thanks GM. 

[Scrumpy]

All the best to you Raven..
I can understand how sad it is when having to give up something we enjoy doing... 

[Raven]

Thanks Scrumpy. 

[1955vintage]

Nurses are usually blessed with more common sense than doctors and more compassion.However, the training requirement for nurses is not the same, the selection process is much tougher for doctors, if you want a diagnosis, go to a doctor.

[muddy]

I wonder if there is an accelerated course for talented  nurses to become doctors ?