I have had a lump in the center of my ribs.

[Panthro]

burlyb - you really should start a new thread but I feel the need to comment.

 

1. Have any of the seven doctors given you a diagnosis or an explanation for your 'lumps'?

2. Which specialty are they going to refer you on to?

3. Why do you want a MRI specifically? A CT scan +/- contrast is usually used in detection/classification of tumours affecting the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

4. Are your GPs allowed to refer for MRIs? AFAIK I think it is not commonplace. There is a trial going on in my health board at the minute for GP MRI referrals.

5. Why do you feel "it's too late"? You say you noticed the first one three years ago. Is your general health deteriorating?

6. Do the practice have the right telephone number for you?

[Panthro]

seems all I do in here is write the wrong thing in the wrong place all the time.....I was following on fromt the top COMPLAINTS...............i'm complaing that my GP and the pracatice HAS been complained to in letter and verbal form by me................where does MY post differ so much from the others above it AND if I knew the answers #9 then i would NOT be here writting this COMPLAINT

 

You are obviously worried about your diagnosis and your inability to get the answers you need or want from your GP. This is very understandable and not a criticism in any way. If you feel you are writing things on this forum in the "wrong place" then I'd take honeybee's advice and start a new thread about the matter. Even if you post these in the wrong forums, the moderators wil - I am sure - move them for you.

 

Although the OP's poster was about formal complaints she was really looking for support or advice on her issue not as a invitation to other users to post their particular issues. Of course anyone is allowed to post but yours is on a different issue entirely but I am certainly here to help hence my questions. My questions are specific as I think they will help you get the answers you are seeking. You might not have answers to some e.g. the MRI and GP referral question but surely one of the seven doctors has told you what it is and why the aren't referring you on? Your diagnosis? Surely you can check with the receptionist if they have the correct number rather than assuming they lied when they said they tried to contact you?

 

As I said, I can understand your frustration but going in and shouting and arguing with your GP or his/her partners is not going to get you anywhere except booted off of their list and you will be back to square one. My questions were posted to try to get a better understanding of your situation and to provide you with advice and support. Making a complaint is entirely up to you and I sure the users of this forum will help your formulate one which can address your concerns about your health and wellbeing.

[Panthro]

I'm a nurse not a doctor and my usual stance for anyone looking for health advice on forums is to see their GP. Now obviously you have done that and come to this stage where you feel you have to post on this forum and feel the need for a formal complaint.

 

You do seem to have a fixation on MRI scans and the perceived benefits that you think/hope they will provide to your treatment - if any.

 

"and have told me they can stick a needle in it and drain it off...not on their nelly I WANT to see what it is via an MIR scan before they fiddle with it"

 

A needle aspirate would be appropriate in my opinion. An MRI would not. The tissue/fluid could be taken and sent to the pathology lab for analysis to determine its nature. An MRI might tell if it is a solid mass or a fluid filled one - possibly might be able to determine its nature but not likely. An MRI will likely tell us the location and size of these growths but ultimately a biopsy would be required. In any case, I am sure a HRCT (High Resolution CT) scan is the standard imaging investigation here. I may be wrong and will stand to be corrected.

 

"also to check my shoulders and arms due I wrenched the right one when I fell over a raised pavement outside my house 'The last doctor told me that they do NOT do referals for shoulder strains' from the surgery....whats that all about and I also need to have them check my forehead when my head hit the path as i fell and it has left a small crater to the top left sdie of my forehead"

 

How long ago did this happen? Did you go to casualty after this trip over the kerb? Are you still having issues with your arm and shoulders? An MRI might be of use here then again could provide no diagnostic information. A skull depression? Where exactly is this? I am sure in an adult would likely be a fracture - even a hair line one - and I assume you don't exhibit symptoms of a skull fracture? Your rather dramatic description of a 'crater' would seem to suggest it's pretty serious. From my days in casualty, I think the gold standard is a CT scan rather than MRI in any case.

 

I think the GPs have all acted reasonably. These advanced imaging techniques - if used in the way you propose - would bankrupt the NHS pretty quickly and cause patients with complaints that can be sorted in primary care to cause lengthy waits at radiology departments up and down the country. It would be great if everyone who came to their GP with a headache for instance could be offered a CT. 99.9% of them will show nothing.

 

From your posts it is obvious you are worried that these growths are malignant (cancer). From the little information you have posted, to me it wouldn't seem that way. I know that's not going to alleviate your worry for you and your sons. But you do come across as quite aggressive and your GPs seem to have had immense patience with you. I know many GPs who would remove you from your list for much less. Rather than you 'winning' by getting your referral, it is probably so the GPs can get you out of their hair for a wee while at least.

 

Good luck with your onward referral to whatever speciality your GP has referred you to.

[Panthro]

"I want what I want"

Therein lies the problem. You are not medically qualified (I assume). You have taken SEVEN doctors opinions and basically rubbished every one of them until you wore one down enough to get what you want. You are frightened and from your PM (which I won't disclose here) you have had a sh!t time but berating, shouting, stamping your feet like a petulant child is not going to get you anywhere. You say you have heart problems...stress and high blood pressure won't help. You can rant and rave all you like but I would not get my hopes up about you getting anywhere with your referral. Consultants are usually not as nice as GPs and will likely tell you straight what the diagnosis is and what the treatment is. Although, I fear that to avoid confrontation, aggravation and aggression you will undoubtedly bring they will simply agree to your demands and an unnecessary and expensive test will be carried out which provides no diagnostic value. You are quite right that I don't know you, your situation or your medical problems but you ignore the ones that do (your GPs). I don't feel there is anything else I can contribute or say that will change your mind.

 

I really do wish you the best for your appointment with the specialist and you get what you want.

Edited November 27, 2011 by Panthro