"This first visit has been cancelled and rescheduled five times"

After some on and off low back pain (and lots of ibuprofen) over circa 13 years, I have finally now become a complete cripple. An orthopaedic surgeon told me a year ago that my nerve is impinged, there is some stenosis, and that 'having allowed the pain' for so long may have now permanently damaged the nerves. The same orthopaedic surgeon scheduled me for a visit at Yorkhill, probably leading to a steroid injection into the spine. This first visit has been cancelled and rescheduled five times. Only the last time there was no reschedule and when my GP enquired she was told they are short staffed but they haven't forgotten about me.

I used to hillwalk swim and do all sorts of activities (and used to work full time). Now my limitations are so great that I need a day of recovery after a day of (any) activity so I cannot even try to get another full time job. I have a part time one, and all the money I earn goes into pilates, osteopaths and masseurs as the NHS professionals all recommended these as they would help, which they do, but I cannot seem to get back to normal levels of activity.