Health CARE? I don't think so!

[Milims]

[quote="AXJ
Morphine was the cure for opium addiction, Heroin was the cure for Morphine addiction... anything that hits dopamine receptors is hittting the reward response, same as cocaine, heroin and spliff (too name but a few) personally for me it is all propaganda from the big pharm who would prefer us not to self medicate... damn them.

[/quote]
Chris has, this last week, been on a "pain holiday" with his morphene patches - it's really not nice Although he doesn't feel as much pain he knows that it's still there - so it's not as if he can actually do anything more than usual - he just looks grey, pinched and pretty much out of it. And that's the best they seem to be able to offer round here - stoned or stupified with pain - so much for actually having a life! At least he has the sense to use such prescribed "hard" drugs on odd occasions - imagine if he just simply did as he was told by the docs and had them all the time? Doesn't bear thinking about! But it seems that's what they want - keep 'em stoned and quiet!

[AXJ]

I really don't want to say the wrong thing, or cause any offense. I preface the following with the assurance that I have never been a opiate addict of any kind, not to say that I don't have knowledge.

The great provider whom so ever she may be put simple things like the poppy on this earth to be used as medicine. The derivatives of said flower can be used as a cure for some things, and a relief for others. Over the thousands of years that opiates have been used, only in the last 100 years has there been any stigma or shame attached to the medicinal use of one of natures great wonder drugs.

I wish that what ever cure there is available were afforded to your partner right this minute. In the mean time, make the best use of what nature has to offer via the NHS, I don't think they hand it out as often as they should do. The fact that your partner has this available indictates the true severity of the problem, and my heart goes out to you both.

Pain is not nice, there is nothing to be gained suffering uneccessarily. Sometimes getting out of it is perhaps better than nothing.

#hugs# ( no smilie for hugs )

[Milims]

Aww AXJ - thank you for the hugs - and no offence caused! It's really just me hating to see him in pain but then hating to see him stoned on the drugs and feeling completely helpless to help him in anyway and angry that the people who are supposed to help just aren't (oops - hold back gal - you're heading for another rant! ) It's also a really scary thought that he's been given something potentialy so dangerous BUT on the up side we've found a source of information and help so hopefully things will get better soon!

[Milims]

Well the health care service have really out done themselves! Chris went to the docs yesterday - for an appointment that they wanted him to have and was basically told that he doesn't have what they diagnosed him with 2 years ago, that he shouldn't take the drugs that they've been poisoning him with for the last 2 years, that he should never have been prescribed morphene in the first place and that it was all in his imagination! Yes he really can imagine pain so severe that he can hardly hold a knife and fork or so that walking up the village is so excruciating that he can only manage it about once a fortnight! That the most activity he can manage in a day is to get up, get dressed and feed the chickens! He had the audacity to say that he really doesn't know how we are coping with the situation but that there was nothing he could do! He wasn't in the least bit interested in Chris symptoms or how this has changed the shape of his fingers and feet - but then why should he be interested - it's only Chris's imagination after all! Aaagggggghhhhh! It feels like we are punished for living!

[ina]

Oh Milims - sometimes one wonders whether it can get any worse - and how the heck these "professionals" get trained and accredited. Was that a different Dr from the one who'd treated him before?

[Milims]

The rheumatologist, who diagnosed him originally, wrote a letter to this doc to tell him that he didn't think he had the condition and suggested in the letter that the problem was of a more psychological nature. The doc we saw yesterday is one of a number he's seen within the practice - in fact I think he may be one of the practice bosses - and who is the one who knows most about the condition within the practice. We are basically being made to feel like they can't be bothered to help because it's costing them too much. Yesterday the doc prescribed him another medication, a painkiller/antidepressant - with no advice or information other than see how it goes! So here we are, left in the dark not knowing where to turn - and those that are supposed to care don't give a damn!

[prison break fan]

dear Milims, Just wanted to send you my best wishes. Can't imagine what you must be going through. Chin up! pbf

[ina]

Have you met anybody else with a comparable condition? Or are there any selfhelp groups maybe online, if not locally? Sharing experiences with somebody who's had the same problem might be helpful... But I'm sure you've thought of that yourself, seeing that you are "forum conscious".

[KellyB]

Yes well my Nan suffered for years with rheumatoid arthritius (sp) she was put on a wonderful mixture of drugs some to prevent other drugs harming her ugh turns out it was all from having an underactive thryoid which they refused to diagnose. Once on the correct medication (replacing what the body should have been making by itself) she went from sitting on a chair holding her hands in agony to being able to move them again and walk about a bit with a frame doesn't sound like much but after years of the drugs they gave her and all the pain this was amazing at her age. I don't mean to bang on but there are so many illnesses because of unbalanced bodies it's all the rubbish we eat and what we put on our skins that causes the thyroid (controls metabolism and hormones) to pack up or struggle. One day it will all come to light I just hope I am alive for it, there are Drs fighting to get into the UK to sort this problem but then they are making all this money on wonder drugs treating symptoms and not the cause they are not gonna change easily. There is help out there but it is a case of educating yourself to help yourself thankfully my mum has done this but it took nearly loosing her life for her to turn it around and she now helps people in the same situation she's in. Ok I'll shut up now lol

[mrsflibble]

SUE THE B*****DS!!!!!
sorry, but maybe it's the only way.
or move to France. Or possibly canada??

[KellyB]

We're headed to France may take a while but

[Flo]

Milims you need to try a completely different tactic to get through to the doctors. Do something like go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and see if they have a solicitor who offers free 15 minute consultations. This way you may be able to be referred to a solicitor who specialises in kicking the NHS. The other way is to contact Newcastle University Law Schoolto see if they have students who will work for you under the guidance of their tutors (who are often legally qualified) to get you the service you need. Certainly when I was at university doing law some of the students were involved in this way and helped people no end.

It sounds as if you have exhausted the NHS possibilities and need to try another way to get what you need.

[Millymollymandy]

Please don't think France is the answer to any medical problems!!! You won't wait long to see a specialist but they aren't necessarily going to be any better or worse than those you see in the UK!

Milims I'm sorry to hear what you and Chris are going through.

[AXJ]

Hi I am grieved to hear about you on going problems with the healthcare system.

This BBC Radio4 programme does not offer any answers concerning your doctor problems, but while I was listening I thoght about your situation, and perhaps you may find it interesting.

Here's a link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/pip/4gv0m/