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"Pain,no one is listening."

About: General practices in Fife

(as the patient),

I have had sciatica for a few years now pre COVID! I was treated quickly and efficiently and felt I was listened to and got a lot of help. Although I do have flair ups I control it well. However last summer I had a fall (which I am prone to since getting sciatica) I hurt my shoulder and neck, initially I thought I'd be able to control the pain myself and it would go away,it didn't. I have a fear of going to the GP and don't like to feel a burden on them but I made an appointment and went to see the Nurse Practitioner who told me to keep taking paracetamol for the pain, she did refer me to get an xray and for physio as I have had to give up working as many hours due to the pain I am in. The xray showed that I hadn't broken any bones, so I had to make an appointment with the GP who prescribed me with medication to help with the pain but I also had to take other medication to counteract the side effects. I ended up feeling worse than before and had severe stomach pain caused by the medication, so a trip back to the GP, who told me I may now have a stomach ulcer so was prescribed yet more medication whilst still being in a lot of pain. No one is listening to me!! The physio therapist I see has been very patient with me and the exercises are helping with my strength but the pain persists. I have had blood taken but only recently and finally got a steroid injection which hasn't worked unfortunately. I've not been offered a scan but given more medication that doesn't agree with me at all. I want to feel better not worse.

My dad passed away last year from Pancreatic cancer and he had begged for a scan as he knew that something wasn't right with him, he'b been unwell for a year before the doctor done anything for him and said he was diabetic which wasn't the case. He died four weeks after having the scan and being diagnosed with Cancer,if he'd have had the scan sooner I may have had more time with him.

I'm no saying I have anything sinister going on but why is it so hard to get tests done and be listened to. My whole body aches and I don't know if it stems from the pain in my neck and shoulder. I go on as I normally would as best as I can but I am so tiered all the time due to lack of sleep.

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Responses

Response from Shelley McBain, Interim Service Manager, Primary & Preventative Care, Fife Health & Social Care Partnership 15 months ago
Shelley McBain
Interim Service Manager, Primary & Preventative Care,
Fife Health & Social Care Partnership
Submitted on 23/02/2024 at 11:01
Published on Care Opinion at 11:01


picture of Shelley McBain

Dear dexter17

My name is Shelley McBain, I am the Interim Service Manager for Primary Care. Please accept my apologies for the time it has taken to reply as I appreciate how frustrated you must be feeling.

I am very sorry to read about your experience and I wondered if you would like to discuss this further so that I can get a better understanding of your experience.

If this is something you feel you would like to go ahead with please contact me directly via email shelley.mcbain2@nhs.scot. I would be happy to discuss this further with you to try and get a positive outcome for both yourself and from the practice.

Best wishes

Shelley

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