"I feel so let down"

I'm an ex-nurse and have had several kidney stones since I was 21.

I returned back to inverness early last year, and within a month of being home I started getting regular and intense pain in my kidneys.

Having experienced this before I booked an appointment with my GP so that I could start pain relief and also be referred for an ultrasound scan as I knew this was kidney stones. My doctor referred me straight away and has been sensational.

However, it took months to receive any information about a scan, and was told very last minute that I had a scan booked. However, days before this appointment I received a letter saying that my appointment had been cancelled and that they would be in touch with the next appointment.

Months pass, I'm still in lots of pain and on opiates to help with this. In this time I receive letters saying that I have an upcoming appointment for a ultrasound scan, however, these always arrive after the date of the scan. And when I call to ask about this, the phones are never answered, even as I call through switchboard.

Fourteen months on and I finally received a text, days before my scan, telling me I am booked in. I have my scan, and as I thought I have kidney stones in both kidneys.

My GP refers me to urology, however a month has gone by, I've still not heard anything.

I call urology to chase this up and have been told I'm on a two month waiting list to have a virtual consultation with one of the consultants. But before this I will need an X-ray and CT scan. Which again could take months.

After this I contact Radiology, and ask about getting this done and I'm told that they send out appointment letters six weeks in advance and that I had a long wait until then. After recounting my story I'm met with very little sympathy or understanding, but ultimately know that I'm going to be on strong painkillers for months sitting on endless waiting lists.

I'm in so much pain. Kidney stones and renal cholic are some of the most extreme pain a human can undergo. I am at the point where I will need to leave my job as I can't take strong painkillers whilst at work.

Alongside this pain, I feel so let down, upset and angry that I have poured years of my life into helping others and now that I need support I am left in pain and ignored.

I honestly don't know what's left to do, but carry on taking very strong pain killers, lose my job and suffer.