My GP referred me urgently to ENT regarding a lump in my throat that is causing me serious problems with choking, swallowing, swallowing things down the 'wrong way', and causing me pain. For some reason I ended up being seen by the maxillofacial department. The Dr said that I had calcification on the thyroid. I had a barium swallow test followed by an ultrasound. The technician who did the initial ultrasound scan was very thorough but unfortunately the doctor, who had been sat with his back to us, was not. The doctor ignored the stills taken by the technician and ran the scanner over my throat so quickly he missed the area where the lump was and I couldn't get a word in to tell him. I had a follow up appointment with the maxillofacial dept today and the Dr said he didn't think I had any calcification on the thyroid! He told me that I "probably" have problems with the muscles around the oesophagus and that the lump is a muscle in spasm. He then said that I should go back to my GP to get her to refer me back to ENT again to see about the aforementioned muscle problems because "the Trust wouldn't get paid if I refer you to ENT directly"! Surely patient care should be more important than saving one department money only to pass the cost on to the GP and delay treatment by weeks, if not months! Shocking. It could take two weeks before my GP gets the letter from maxillofacial and goodness knows how long it will take to get a referral to ENT. In the meantime the lump is growing, I'm choking on at least half the food or liquids I'm trying to swallow, tablets I have to take for other serious medical conditions are sticking in my throat and capsules 'explode' in my throat, not to mention the fact that the lump is becoming more painful. QA doctors have misdiagnosed me at least twice before, the last time could have led to me becoming quadriplegic so I have no faith whatsoever in the doctors at this awful hospital.
"Farcical"
About: Queen Alexandra Hospital Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth PO6 3LY
Posted via nhs.uk
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