"Problems with physio"

I was referred to the physiotherapist by my GP although I didn’t think it would help.

I have diabetes and have Charcot’s foot, which makes walking / exercising difficult.

My initial meeting with the MSK clinic was fine, they gave me a special boot to wear until the diagnosis was confirmed and explained I would be wearing this for about six months. The woman I spoke to at this clinic was really helpful, very polite and very knowledgeable.

I was then referred to another person for assessment. When I arrived at the clinic for this appointment I struggled to book into the clinic using their automated touchscreen system. I did not have my glasses so could not see the screen very well and needed help. A staff member at the reception desk came to help but not very graciously.

I was then directed to the assessment room where I was very taken aback with the tone in which they asked ‘Do you do any exercise? ’. I tried to explain the health issues I have that have made exercise in recent years difficult, all of this was dismissed, I was told I was not there to talk about my health issues.

I explained that I used to go swimming but the Charcot foot made it very painful for me to walk on the anti-slip tiles around the pool. They recommended I wear flip flops but they weren't very empathetic while carrying out the assessment. After they had examined me, I was given some exercises to do and referredfor physiotherapy. I asked if the physiotherapy would be then and there but was very patronizingly told an appointment would come through.

An appointment did come; it was early in the morning. On the day before the appointment I had a call to say that the person l I was scheduled to see was not now able to make that time so the appointment was put back to later in the day.

When I arrived I had to go through the rigmarole of booking in using the touch screen. I was slightly early and could see all the staff though the clear glass in the reception. They were chatting to one another even after my appointment time, no one was paying any attention. I was finally asked to go through to the treatment room.

The physiotherapist came in, the first thingthey asked was whether I had been doing the exercises. I explained I had tried but that they seemed to make it worse. They said the problem was that my stomach muscles were all inflamed. I have no idea where they got this from.

They then got me onto a couch and tried to get me to do various exercises which made me feel very dizzy and unwell. I tried to tell them the way I was feeling but they were not prepared to listen, totally unsympathetic and unhelpful.

I am supposed to have more appointment for physiotherapy but I would rather suffer with the pain than face them and be humiliated.