"Referred to A&E, for admission, supposedly!"

I had a review appointment at my GP's surgery on the 21st February, whilst waiting for an Echocardiogram appointment. I was seen by the Nurse Practitioner, who was quite shocked when they listened to my story, & then checked my BP, & saw my swollen legs, & "tried" to examine my abdomen, but to lie down was too painful!!

The nurse checked the results of recent blood tests etc., went to discuss things with the consultant, who was aware of recent events.

The nurse returned & was very concerned & did a good job of convincing me to be admitted whilst waiting for the Echo apt on the 28th Feb.

Unfortunately the Medical & Renal Doctors on call weren't convinced, so I was sent home to collect my things & then proceed to A&E at St James Hospital, were I would be seen & then admitted.

We arrived at A&E at 13:00 hrs, & sat & waited to be triaged; then had to sit back in waiting room, & wait to be called in & seen by a Doctor. Eventually I was called in & told to lie on the trolley, & get undressed, but I couldn't lie on the trolley, so sat on a chair waiting. Eventually a very nice Doctor came in & asked for my history, & then tried to examine me! They were so kind & saw the pain I was in so let me sit on a chair, whilst they listened to & felt my chest.

They arranged for blood tests, offered pain relief, & arranged for Xrays of my chest & spine.

I took my own tablets, & didn't receive anything else. Bloods were taken, then I went for Xrays,

The Radiographer was very kind, & managed to take the Xrays required.

Back to A&E, & then was sent round to the Medical Assessment to see a Doctor, pending admission.

Then Medical Assessment is next door to A&E, but in the space of 30 yards or so my notes were "lost"!

It was 17:00 hrs! . Again had to sit & wait while a cubicle came free, then was taken in & BP was done, & an ECG. Then had to wait outside again whilst the Doctor came down. Eventually a cubicle was ready & the Doctor too, they took history, took my BP, & examined me. Then I had to wait for the senior Doctor to come & see me. They were not concerned, & only said I was anaemic & my Vit B was low; but it was a long course to treatment & was advised to see my GP in a couple of weeks for a prescription, when they had received a letter from the Hospital.

Then I asked "what about the raised cardiac enzyme", as the nurse had put all the information, & copies of results in with their letter? The doctor looked horrified & went to check, then returned & said it was OK.

I saw my GP the next day & was given a prescription.

I spoke to the consultant on the 8th March, regarding dosage on a tablet, & asked about the Xrays done on the 21st Feb; apparently I have wedge fractures of T10 & L1, which explains all the pain I have. I was referred for a DXA scan at LGI, which I have been lucky & had it done on the 28th Feb, just awaiting results on both Echo & DXA, although I know I have osteoporosis, the Xray shows it.

Should find out the Echo report maybe tomorrow??