"Let down by my rheumatologist"

I had pain in my right temple and had to go urgently to A& E as advised by my GP and 111. I was put on steroids straightaway for 5 days. On the 6th day I had Temporal Biopsy and had 14 stitches.

My results were supposed to go straight to my Rheumatologist after 1 week. I waited for over 3 weeks for them to contact me but he didn't. I was supposed to go back on steroids after my biopsy. So I missed 3 weeks of those tablets. Then one day they ring me to tell me my results were negative! Whew! I waited over 3 weeks for my results.

Rheumatologist then sent me for further tests ie.... Blood tests and head scan. And asked me if I could have face to face consultation which I agreed. On the day of my head scan,   the radiographer couldn't any artery on the right side of my temple/head. He said I might have to have CT scan and had sent my scan results straightaway to my rheumatologist and he might contact me the next day to see what next step would be for me. Now its been over 1 week of waiting for my rhumatologist to get in touch with me! ! ! !

I contacted the secretary three times, I left messages over the phone as I was advised by my rheumatologist in case I needed to contact them. Eventually the secretary rang me and was quite rude. They said they couldn't  contact the dr as this is not the way it works! I explained that as a secretary with contact with the dr, I just needed to speak to them as I had so much pressure behind my eyes due to high dose of steroids. The secretary wasn't helpful at all and instead told me to contact nurses station at rheumatology dept.

I rang 111 who advised me to go straight to Queens Hospital at Urgent Eye Clinic  which I did and ended up with 2 eyedrops as I had lots of inflammation behind my eyes  When I contacted Nurses station at KGH, a really nice, kind person answered the fone and said it was the secretary's to job but they would help me. They left an email for my rheumatologist, who I'm still waiting for to contact me.

My appt last year in march was cancelled and I havent been given any other appt for follow up for my arthritis either. I'm not holding my breath for my rhumatologist to contact me. I want to know how to change my consultant for another one who will take my serious medical problems seriously. I still can go blind with Temperal Arteritis as I am not being given aftercare. I'm still on steroids. I havnt had my blood pressure checked or had test for diabetes which can occur with Steroids.