"Radiology appointment"

I have had kidney pain and difficulties urinating with flow problems for around a year now. I  was in my twenties when this problem started. I was prone to frequent UTI's so my GP requested a ultrasound scan on my kidneys/bladder to check for any abnormalities. I request the appointment in December 2021 and finally got one in July 2022 (I completely understand with covid appointments are a lot longer so this is not the issue).

I went to East Lothian community hospital for the ultrasound and I explained all my symptoms as above to the doctor/technician. The technician then explained to me that I had fragmented stones (he used a technical term) attached to the walls of my kidneys and this may due to me having left of pieces of stones from when I suffered with them when I was 19/20 years old.  I asked the technician if this is why I would be in pain and they said yes. I broke down  in tears as I was so happy someone was finally agreeing with me that the pain wasn't in my head.  They then checked over my bladder as I explained about the flow problems and they said this may be a separate issue but will still check over.

They said everything looked ok but got me to empty my full bladder and when they checked it seemed ok but he said they would refer me back to my GP and book me in for a cystoscopy to check my bladder for the flow issues. I forgot to ask about medication or anything for the fragmented stones as I was in a daze due to someone finally agreeing with me.  I assumed after the technician provided their notes back to my GP I would be prescribed something to get rid of the fragments and my GP book me in for the cystoscopy.  

I had an appointment with my GP two weeks later who basically said everything I had explained to the technician was not detailed in the notes from the hospital. It said I was basically fine and no further action was needed. I was back to square one. I broke down in the doctors office as I can't take this burden pain anymore.

My GP said they would book me in for a CT scan but would probably have to wait another 8-12 months.  It is really deflating that after a year I am back at square one in more pain that I was last year and no further forward.

I am so grateful for the NHS but this experience has drained me and I'm literally no further forward in finding out what is wrong with me. I was given more antibiotics after my last app which haven't worked as I'm still in pain around my kidneys and having flow issues.