Does anyone know how I submit a health query to NHSDirect?

jenniewb

I have been told I have hypermobility. I never knew this. I found this out as I have back pain and had seen a professional about this. My next appointment isn't for a few weeks but I have questions still I want to ask.

I tried both Wiki and google, the bbc and NHS Choices, none answer the questions I have.

It used to be possible to submit a health query via the NHS Direct website and have them email back information, I have tried several times now but am unable to do this on the site. I even get a pop-up questionaire asking me what I would have done if I had not been able to find the symptom checker but no actual symptom checker other then to rule out a heart attack or meningitus, neither of which I have! I don't think its right for me to phone them up at midnight when I'd think they'd be busy or with fewer staff to answer calls, I don't want to waste their time!

Do I just make an appointment with my GP (bearing in mind they are generalists and may not even know the answer) or call NHS Direct of am I missing something on the site on being able to ask questions via emailed form?

brook2jack

Not nhs direct but this might be helpful http://www.hypermobility.org/ or this http://www.ehlers-danlos.org/

onetomany

i agree with brook2jack my son has hypermobility and the links are great

jenniewb

Thanks for the links Wish it were so easy! I haven't been told I have Hyper mobility syndrome but do have hypermobility (I haven't been told I have the diagnosis of HMS and have not been offered anything for it so am assuming thats not what the doctor meant) I do have pain though which has gotten worse over the past year and is at a daily-pain-killer level Been told exercises will stregnthen other muscles, thus get rid of the pain but can't help disbelieving that.

Guess I should just go back and see the doctor for futher clarification. I get that I have hyper mobility which itself from what I read is not very rare at all. But to be feeling pain and to this degree every day is not normal, I feel old before my time and it doesn't seem right. Am more worried about it getting worse or other problems starting so maybe best to speak to a professional.

Thanks for the links

j.e.j.

As long as you've been diagnosed already, the nhs choices enquiry service can sometimes provide further info on conditions:
https://www.onlineenquiryservice.nhs.uk/enquiry.aspx
hth

jenniewb

j.e.j. wrote: »

As long as you've been diagnosed already, the nhs choices enquiry service can sometimes provide further info on conditions:
https://www.onlineenquiryservice.nhs.uk/enquiry.aspx
hth

I've been diagnosed with hypermobility but not hyper mobility syndrome.

jenniewb

I have used the link and asked a question to the site people- they were so helpful, thankyou! I now understand more then the bare bones of whats going on!

They sent me a link which explains everything in much more detail and I now know to go back to my doctor as according to the site it does seem to be my situation is like the HMS syndome rather then HM alone. I want to know whats going on so I don't make things worse and also so I know what to expect, also theres no point me thinking I have one condition when I may not even have it and may have misunderstood the information given (being I am neither a doctor nor a physiotherapist).

I am going to see my doctor friday which is the next appointment I am able to attend, should have some answers by then hopefully and now know what to ask. I kinda hope I am wrong, it doesn't look good and feels sort of scary to me but its hard to see how I could have gotten things wrong when I already have been told so much and the rest all makes sense...

pmduk

In these circumstances it can often be helpful to make a list of questions in advance. Don't be embarrassed about taking a notebook for the answers or even a dictation recorder if you have access to one. Any half decent Doctor will realise that the patient who asks questions about their condition will be the ones who attempt to look after their health. It's so easy to remember questions as soon as you've left the consulting room.

jenniewb

Just wanted to update:

Thanks for all your suggestions. I did go back to my GP today to ask for info and find out whats really going on so I know how to stop things getting (too much) worse in terms of pain.

I did write things down in a list, in the end was too self concious to bring out my list so memorised it!

The doctor I spoke to was really helpful: she listened and looked back at my notes, as a result I have been referred to a Rhumatologist (sp?!) who can also help by doing a proper test for HMS and so I'd hope can tell me if its anything I can do more about other then sit back and watch the progression of/do Pilataes for! Also the doctor said the Rhumatologist can help me with my weakened bones (osteoperina) which are an added complication.

j.e.j.

jenniewb wrote: »

I have used the link and asked a question to the site people- they were so helpful, thankyou! I now understand more then the bare bones of whats going on!

They sent me a link which explains everything in much more detail and I now know to go back to my doctor as according to the site it does seem to be my situation is like the HMS syndome rather then HM alone. I want to know whats going on so I don't make things worse and also so I know what to expect, also theres no point me thinking I have one condition when I may not even have it and may have misunderstood the information given (being I am neither a doctor nor a physiotherapist).

I am going to see my doctor friday which is the next appointment I am able to attend, should have some answers by then hopefully and now know what to ask. I kinda hope I am wrong, it doesn't look good and feels sort of scary to me but its hard to see how I could have gotten things wrong when I already have been told so much and the rest all makes sense...

You are welcome, I found them to be helpful too It really does help just having more information on the condition.

Glad your doctor's appointment went well. Hopefully you're 'on the road' (as they say) to getting the problem sorted.