When is it OK to give up?

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

The latest on my ROH appointment still no letter and did say would phone yesterday but will no phone tomorow as it will be 4 weeks this wednesday since refferal from Paul. They cant say that I rang too soon if the 4 weeks are up. I last saw Paul 15th October and should have had the letter by now.

Nick {2008}

[Cynthia1982]

Hi Laura,

I hope you don't mind me posting you. My name is John i'm Cynthia's boyfriend. She spoke alot about the support and adivse you have given her over the last few weeks. I would just like to say a big thank you for all the help you have given her and hope she will be well enough soon to contact you again.
I hope you don't mind me asking but i was just wondering if she mentioned to you if there was anything on her mind lately. Her boss rang her yesterday morning, after the call she was very quiet and i knew by her he wasn't ringing to see how she was. I don't usually pry into her chats with friends but i'm just worried about her and i don't want anyone causing her undue stress. So if i knew what was on her mind i could try and sort it out.
Sorry again for asking questions about yer chats but i'm just concerned.

Thanks for being such a good friend to her

John

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I phoned Alexander's Secretary yesterday and today and ended up leaving a message saying to contact me on my mobile so hope to get a phone call tomorrow morning. I really need to pull through with the appointments as I ideally like to get my knee sorted before the end of March wether its an injection or a scope needs to be done soon. The Golf Course I work at is busy during the grass growing season and cant really have time off work.

Nick {2008}

[Doc79316]

HI Nick,

Firstly, if you get no response from the messages you've left then you need to complain. It's gone on long enoughand I'm surprised it's taken tthis long.

Secondly, if you need time off for your knee then it's best to take it, regardless of what season it is or how busy things get at work. No point in having treatment then putting yourself back at square one just because you have to be at work. Your health comes first - always.

I thinkyou should see whatr happens when you get yoru return phone call. Then you can speak with your OS and tell him the situation with work. That way you and he may work together to treat your knee rather than you just effectively, sitting and waiting for someone to do something. Hopefully you can time your treatment (whatever it is) to coincide with the best time to be off work so it causes as littel inconvenience to everyone as possible.

Take care,

Laura xx

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I am afraid I not made any progress with regards to getting an appointment at the Birmingham ROH. I been trying to speak to someone for the last 3 days but no one answers the phone and Alexander my PT does have is own personal secretary Anita. I made the 1st phone call on Wednesday at about 4:30pm so thought maybe they go home at 4pm. On Thursday phoned again at about 3:30pm 3 times and the 3rd time I left a message saying could Alexander or Anita please call me on my mobile number which I gave regarding an appointment I am waiting for.

On Friday I was waiting all day at work for the phone call and when I finished work at 3pm was worried I got my mobile number wrong on the answer phone message. I went home and rang my mobile number and said number not recognized which was very strange as I know my mobile number of by heart so rang my number again and the same thing happened. I sent a message to one of my Sisters if I got the mobile number wrong but she phoned back and said you given the correct number. I phoned again in the evening and my mobile number was working again.

I left another message again explaining that my mobile line was not working very well and may not have been able to get through to me. I gave my landline number and explained that I not had an appointment date yet thats long overdue and is it possible to get an appointment between 1st and 5th December as I booked that week off as its my Birthday that week. I would then not have to take time of work and get to see Alexander before Christmas so he can reffer me to an OS.

I had problems before with my mobile line and on a contract with 3 and very peed off with what happned as no one could phone me on my moblile and was an important call. The right knee really playing up now with pain most days while working and dont want the OS saying you should have seen me earlier and knee might not be the same again. I been waiting 13 months to see an OS and still not on the way to seeing one and think its about time I did see one ASAP as this has gone on long enough.

If I dont get a phone call on Monday will keep leaving a message until they finally give me a call and will push to get an appointment the 1st week in December. I might be pushy but you have to be as your health is number 1 and you cant mess around with it.

Sorry Laura for a kind of winge but strating to get frustrated over the whole thing. I hope your OS Appointment goes smoother and good luck when you see him.

Nickl  {2008} 

[Doc79316]

Hi Nick,

You're right - this is going on for far too long. Don't apologise for ranting or maoning. Everyone does it; we have to do it; and when we do it peope can help us better.

First thing Monday morning (I doubt they'll be there on a Sunday), phone Alexander or Anita. If you get no response (not an answer machine) then leave a message so they know you called but don't give details or ask for an appointment. Just state that you've now waited over a year to see an OS and as you've had no return phone calls, you are now in the process of making a formal complaint.

Then call the main switchboard number and ask to be put through to the compalints department. Explain the whole situation so they have it all on record. They will ask you to put it in writing but at least over the phone they can start investigating straight away.

Mention contaciting the Ombudsman and claiming compensation and I absolutely guarantee you'll have an appointment by the end of the year!

Let me know how it goes.

Laura xx

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I was thinking about giving the ROH a ring 1st thing on Monday morning at my break time at 9:30am, I might have had a call from Alexander before then and hope it gets sorted and get an appointment before the end of the year. I have a right to complain as you suggested if I dont receave a phone call from Anita or Alexander on Monday Morning.

Will update what happens on Tuesday Afternoon when I can get access onto the net, Thanks for the support its nice to know that I have people on my side who care, its been too long now without making proper progress on getting my right knee sorted.

Nick {2008}

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I got a phone call from Alexander yesterday morning just before 8:30am saying that he can fit me in on the 3rd December at 10am which is the week that I asked for an appointment. I was not sure if he said he got the refferal from Paul or not as he asked me for the Centre I had my Ultrasound and the name of the PT I saw. If I did not leave the message I would still  be waiting for the appointment and might not have got it till the New Year. Alexanader made out that he could just fit me in during the week I wanted to be seen, so just shows if you keep onto them you get an appointment in the end at a time that suits you.

I think its high time I got this appointment as the last couple of days my right knee pain got worse, I was on the crosstrainer for 20 minutes and the last 2 minutes I got sharp pain on the bottom lateral side of my knee where I get the catching sensation and the same when I went down some steps same type of pain.I have been doing physical work the last 2 weeks on the golf course which must have contributed to the pain I keep getting.

I kind of worried now that I will see an OS and he will want to scope the knee as I have classic symptoms for the OS to take a good look inside the knee. I know that its for my benefit but I a little worried about the prospect of surgery as I never had any in my lifetime so far.

At least I making some progress at last and on the way to seeing an OS.

Nick {2008}

[Doc79316]

Hi Nick,

I think it's best to just wait and see wha your OS will decide. He will speak with you anyway and won't o anything without your knowledge or consent.

Anyway, congrats on getting the appointment. Just goes to show doesn't it. But yo should NOT have had t wait so long. I'd want to know why? But then I'm a stubborn cow on a good day!

Even if an OS does wish to scop the knee, it's a relatively minor operation and you'd be back up and abut in no time. If there's something more sinister going on inside, then at least your OS would be able to see what it is.

Take care,

Laura xx

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I receaved the letter for my appointment today from the Hospital to confirm the date in writing incase they say I not booked in that day I have the letter as proof but sure it will run smoothly. The knee pain has been a little better the last 2 days but I know I will still get days with catching and intense pain on the lateral side of the knee. I not a great fan of hospitals or prospect of maybe needing surgery but I really getting fed up with not getting anywhere with the injury and hope the OS does not say carry on strengthening the muscles as Lenore OS has suggested in my other thread. I been doing it 3 times a week at the gym and its not helped ease the pain or swelling and I know where near being able to run.

Catching inside the knee.
Intense sharp pain in the lateral side of the knee.
Swelling.
Not being able to run.

If the OS dares leaves it saying strenthen the muscles by doing PT will tell him I not satisfied and want he to investigate it further. My gut feelings is that he should really take a look inside the knee and see whats causing the above symptom. You may think I being fussy and pushy again about my injury as I was to get the appointment but really need to be treated before spring as we will be busy again on the golf course mowing daily so now till end of March would be an ideal to receave what ever treatment is needed.

As you said Laura a scope is a minor surgery and its just another routine surgery for a well trained OS. I cant think what else can be done as a cortisone injection will ease the pain and not solve the knee problem. Which is the next course of treatment.

Nick {2008}

[Doc79316]

Hi Nick,

By all means push for further investigation where your knee problems are concerned but I really don't see the point in telling an OS they should scope your knee and to do it before you get busy at work.

Firstly, if you trust your OS then allow him to make the decision on what needs to be done. If you do have a scope and damage is found, you may find when you wake up from surgery that the problem has bene fixed and you end up hving more time off than you anticipated anyway. No OS worth his salt will just take your word for it. After all, they are the experts - we are not.

Secondly, please stop worrying about work. If you need surgery then you need it, regardless of when it's booked for. If you were givne a date during the busiest period at work would youtake it If yes, then your knee problems and health generally are more important to you than work. If not, then work is more important to you than rectifying your knee problem.

Try to think of the worst case scenario - surgery booked for the busiest period at work, which turns out to be more major than expected and you have to have longer off work. If you can think of things in that way (but not in a negative way) then you'll be able to cope with recover and work in the best possible way.

Laura xx

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

Your absolutley right about if the OS wants to scope the knee and its at a busy time on the course then it cant be helped and should take the time off work and not worry what my boss thinks as my health comes before work.

I tried all the conservative methods to try and solve the fat pad problems but its not helped at all. I expect to have a scope now at this stage as the injection will help ease the pain and not solve the problem. I come to the conclusion that I wont turn down surgery if its offered even though I wont like it you have to do things in life you dont like and at the end of the day its for your own benefit.

Nick {2008}

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

Thought I would share what I have written about my knee problems to show Alexander the PT on Wednesday.

Right Knee:

Not been able to run since October 2007 when I fell heavily on right knee while jogging on the pavement.

Also fell heavily onto the right knee back in 2002 while I was giving my sister a piggyback on the pavement and caused me some knee problems, knee was not as bad as the 2007 fall.

Walk with a limp at a slower pace compared to others.

Swelling towards bottom of kneecap since fall back in October 2007, swelling not reduced yet even after 4 ultrasound sessions.

Dull knee ache majority of the time mainly towards the bottom of the knee.

Sudden sharp pain on lateral side of the knee towards bottom of kneecap that last a few seconds, can repeat 3 to 4 times in sequence.

Catching sensation inside the knee in same area where I get sudden sharp pain.

Worst pain I feel is sudden sharp pain from the kneecap up the side of leg to the hip that does not happen to often. (Happens after heavy lifting at work)

Knee at times feels unstable and uncomfortable while walking and standing after doing heavy manual work at the golf club.

Doing hard physical activities increases the risk of sudden sharp pain periods.

Sometimes while sitting down mowing, knee feels tight and rubbery and aches a lot.

Right hip hurts at times because of the way I am walking.

Paul my PT I saw recommended strengthening the leg muscles around the kneecap by doing regular PT sessions. I been going to the gym 3 times a week for 6 months and been using the exercise bikes and cross trainers and done 20 minutes on each machine.

Its has improved my leg muscles as I can now squat and fully extend my legs right up while sitting up in bed that I could not do before going to the gym and doing the PT Paul gave at Quinton Care Centre.

Don’t think I can make my muscles any stronger so would be disappointed if the OS I see suggest the same thing by strengthening the leg muscles.

Due to my Asperger Syndrome starting to get anxieties over my knee problems as its taking too long to sort of the problem and would like the OS I see to get to the root of my knee problem.

If arthroscopy is suggested would be worried, nervous and apprehensive about it but at the same time pleased that the knee problem might be rectified. I know it won’t cure the knee problem 100% but any reduction in knee pain and improvement in mobility would be a benefit
for me.

Left Knee:

Clicking and grinding of the knee at times.

Moderate knee pain. (Don’t feel pain as often as the right knee)

Sharp pain inside that knee, does not happen very often.

I pleased with what I written down and hope Aledxander passes it onto the OS I see as he will have a better understanding of my knee problems after he has read my notes.

Nick {2008}

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

Have had my appointment at the ROH yesterday and was happy with what Alexander suggested. My MRI scan was shown to a senior OS as my fat pad problem is not seen very often and have decided to give a steroid injection into the fat pad in hope that it will solve my fat pad problems if it fails will have a scope but been told its up to me if I want to have it or not.

I am seeing a OS called Dr James dont suppose you heard what he like but know he be fine as Alexander said he a really nice guy and should be fine under him.

I just pleased I finally getting treated which they should have done a few months ago.

Nick {2008}

[Clarkey]

Hi Laura,

I hope you are ok as I see you not been on the bulletin since 24th November. I know you might be busy during the christmas period but be nice if you can log in and leave a message saying you are ok.

Nick {2008}