"Sadly, leaving the area, wanted to thank the..."

Following 3 injuries to my shoulder including torn bicep & a fall > fracture clinic referral for shoulder in quick succession, I attended surgery for pain relief, advice, checks, further scans due to persistent pain & 6 months off work! I felt that I was respectfully listened to 7 provided with referrals to various physio's and further scans. (1x failed cortizone injection attempt to A&E (not from GP!)

With little improvement & continuous pain and physio being unable to provide any hands on treatment for so long I was getting worse 18m later with pain still waking me through night.

Pain extended to my neck &head so had even more pain, I was feeling hopeless. Doctors at surgery were listening to me and referred me back to consultant.

However I saw a physiotherapist at High Wycome Hospital who was kind & attempted accupuncture but had bad reaction she took photo of!

I had been to physio there previously 5m after injuries but neither of the two physios were able to provide any hands on treatment due to the extent of the pain/couldn't fathom the reason. Back to GP, I was referred for scan>x-ray and then physio - this time at Cressex unit and there a locum physio took the time to read all my notes, took him an hour, but could see what injuries had caused my shoulder to 'raise' with muscles so tightly fighting against the requirement for space, the answer was to try his specific exercises to 'try' and create some space, and within 2 weeks, I was out of the 'agony' that I felt would never go.

The physio at Cressex who took time to go through my file and provided a full assessment.

I received the correct exercises I needed for the main injury (of 3) & despite still being in pain, this physiotherapist enabled me to get back to my dancing and better mobility. I'm still in pain keeping me awake at night but out of the continuous agony I was experiencing for so long!

I still need to revisit pain management having lessened the exercises!

A lesson learned.

I'm quite stubborn and not usually wanting to bother a GP surgery but felt that I could approach doctors at either surgery for advice/treatment.

I had a raging ear infection a year ago which the doctor immediately picked up on and listened to my history of having had ear infections and 1x perforated ear drum. She had believed my account of what usually worked and at what point in the process plus checks.

Follow up was excellent to ensure I didn't perforate!

I was very glad for this follow up. I did need a shorter 2nd round of anti-biotics which did the trick.

I prefer not to take anti-bis if possible. I was backed up by good doctors to adjust and check treatment as necessary. I'm able to manage my shoulder pain fairly well with continued, same appropriate exercises to date. I only needed to attend once, to one thorough &insightful physio, who you kindly referred me to. You didn't give up on me, so it was 3rd time lucky.

I have moved to Surrey last week. THANK YOU.