"Most degrading experience in the NHS in 20 years"

Have been seriously unwell for 20 years woth complications arising from connective tissue disease. Previously lt care has been in the South but I moved to Nottingham two years ago specificially for a better quality of life which incouded being under the care of QMC's maxfac team due to my specific artificial TMJ jaw joint type, and I would like to add, that the consultant has been excellent.

However, I wish I could say the same for ANYONE else.

Attended complex spinal clinic last week as increasingly concerned my head//neck/spine are unstable. Terrible pain, headaches out of control and numbness in fingers, dizziness etc

Waited a comsiderable time to be seen. Thank heavens I have a supportive GP who has managed my pain in the community while I waited. Anyhow first impressions were gpod nice staff on desk then effocient xraying. Returned to clinic to quickly be moved to sit in a tiny side room shut in alone on a very uncomfortable plastic chair. I could clearly hear the doctor in the room to the left of me as in every word he said. Once completed more drs seemed to join him where they picked apart a patient whose name was used pretty loudly, despite me having some hearing loss!, and then turned on ME! And talked all about my conditions how my GP was doing me no favours how I shouldn't have kept having surgery on my head (have had to have six total joint replacements in my jaw due to infection as first max fac failed to spot infection in a rib graft so it spread and became osteomyelitis causinf severe pain by fracturing the graft and melting my own bone via infection.

After that I find it hard to trust drs. I then last month had a lumbar puncture go wrong leaving me with permanent sciatic nerve pain and now I have had a bunch if doctors who hadn't even met me yet pre-judging me!

They went on to moan oh look the GP gives her water for injection. I bet when she has had enough she just injects herself with some of this lot, meaning my opiate pain relief I wpuld imagine (then laughter amongst them). Now I take that comment very seriosuly because it was a comment like that which caused Social Services to intervene when I had sole custody of my daughter and I now do not even get to see her. I was absolutely horrified to hear them make that assumption particularly without even meeting the patient first, but worse, that it was too close to heart. Then after more nasty comments they ended it with "well good luck to who takes that ONE" (Meaning me that patient, so CARING!).

I told the nurse I was most unhappy and asked the desk staff to reschedule my apt on a day the consultant I had actually been referred to was more likely to be there.

I left knowing I had a narrowing in my spine (overheard), but no idea what is meant to be done about it, or what it means in relation to my EDS etc. I have no self esteem left at all now and any tiny bit of respect for myself that I did have has now gone.

I wish these doctors could taste their own medicine sometimes