Alex has been in almost constant pain since december. He can't walk very far and when he does it's with a stick. It's a suspected herniated disc but that requires an mri before you can. He was put on the 4 month waiting list in march, I think or perhaps february

He's on gabapentin and zapain to do normal shit

Anyway his gp accidentally took him off the mri referral

but didn't tell anyone until may. He's been readded back, at the bottom of the list. The waiting list is now 7 months

Actually the gp wouldn't have told anyone, Alex phoned up to see how it was going on the list and they told him he wasn't on it

Once he gets the mri it's probable he'll be put on the back surgery list. Which was 13 months long last year

Oh and cos no official diagnosis, no disability or blue badge or anything

So minimum of two years, not being able to work or walk and no help

Anyway, yes. Don't get ill, vote tory

Ask for a referral to pain management in the meantime and also switch to pregablin.

Also thisSapphire Medical Cannabis Clinics

Sincerely, someone with a husband with several complex vertebrae fractures.

My husband has been in constant pain since May 2021.

Pain management is iffy because antidepressants but I'll suggest it

Private anything is a nope because $$

ImmaBiscuit: sapphire is not that bad actually.

£60 an appt

My husband is actively on two separate antidepressants

And duloxetine is an snri that also treats nerve pain

Yeah but when your income is like less than 12k £60 is a weeks foodshop

soz that was snappy. I will show him, we have credit cards as a back up. I'm just very angry rn

I’ve been very angry for 26 months. I get it.

We’ve been waiting for an OT referral since then. My husband can’t shower or bathe because our home is unsuitable. Most days he can’t leave the house either because of the steps.

I do get it

Oh that is a load of bullshit.. I’d be fuming at that doctor

That’s ridiculous. If he was removed in error due to their incompetence you’d think they’d put him back where he was on the waiting list.

I’m so sorry.

oh my god m8. Fuck the fucking tories.

Oh this is shockingly shit. Has the GP referred him to the MSK service yet? Looks like the one where you live deals with spinal issues. It’s probably also a ridiculous wait though. Would it be worth finding out the cost of a private MRI? Then use the credit card or start a crowdfund for it. I know you shouldn’t have to.

But it might get him the diagnosis and allow him to claim some benefits.

Oh wasn’t that singer offering to pay for private MRIs in England? I forget who

Giddyfan: Yeah! He was referred to msk who also made a referral because they said the gp's are terrible with referrals and they often fall through. But the gp ignored the paperwork and both referrals got binned. It's a bunch of arse.

He's just applied for whatever the fuck they call esa now and pip cos we had to wait til the end of the 28 weeks of statutory sick pay so fingers crossed we'll get something

I just want a blue badge tbh

Also ssp is absolute bollocks and the reason we're mad skint now

Oh ffs. The GP sounds terrible. There really should be a way for them to refer quicker when they have made an error. I’m sorry it’s so shit.

You could try reporting to PALS. Just send them an email with dates and details. They may be able to escalate the referral.

i'm not fond of gp's at all. I mean I get that they're important but they gatekeep and fuck up and I feel like they should not be allowed to

Never heard of pals, thank you! I will definitely pass that one on

Fingers crossed

ImmaBiscuit: you can apply for a blue badge at the post office

PIP takes 4-5 months. Blue badge from the council takes about 2-4 weeks

Not the post office, the library. Sorry