Making the future happen - museumworker's MFW diary Pt 2

greent

Glad to hear you're managing some putting-up-of-feet mw! ANd great news re neurologist appointment

museumworker

Great positive message macgirl , and thanks for the encouragement to you both.

Appointment went extremely badly , I have never been so upset by a medical professional. The consultant, after 13 years, wants to change my diagnosis to one which doesn't even sound like a real condition. She didn't offer any explanation, and gave very vague responses to my questions so I don't really understand why she was changing it. What it means is she doesn't think her clinic can help me. She did put me on medication but has discharged me to GP, and recommended a psychologist for pain management. Feel like I've gone backwards - and I have been extremely upset about this for days now. I think the thing is she specialises in migraines with head pain - and because I don't get head pain that often she has written me off. Yet I was told when diagnosed that I have a rare form of migraine, and that you can get migraines without head pain. And I have seen 3 separate consultants since I was diagnosed, all of whom concurred this was the correct diagnosis. So completely confused as to what this means. Hoping the medication works (and doesn't affect baby), and that when the letter comes through it will make more sense what she is saying. She was also extremely dismissive - when I started asking questions her response was 'you can get a second opinion if you don't agree'. She also asked me how I'd been since my baby was born - I am absolutely massive at 8 months and there is no way you could confuse me even for a new mum!!

Rant over.

£9.95 OP today from ama$on sales. I've been contacted by a buyer wanting to buy my helmet off fleabay (for less than the listed price). Without fees it would only mean a £5 loss for me, and guarantee a sale, but I'm nervous about getting struck off - and I have A LOT left to sell. What would you guys do?

Was back at work yesterday, last day on Monday. Going for a group lunch which am really looking forward to.

Guests arrived, lovely to see them and looking forward to a quiet weekend in their company. I do have an Ama$on parcel to post (which is a day late ) but planning feet up the rest of the time. They've offered me their washable nappies they've finished with too, which will get next time, so there won't be any need for me to buy any more . Total outlay has been about £100, and I will get £64 back from council, so if it works this will be a massive saving vs using disposables, or full priced reuseable nappies.

Spend wise we've spent about £70 on shopping this week, account balance around £200 so hoping we can limp through to end of month.

greent

I've sold stuff outside of ebay (usually after an auction ends and someone asks if I'll sell it because they didn't bid on it, sometimes if they ask if I've similar items) I've never had any problems - but it's your decision...

Not very helpful of me, I know!

tootallulah

I would ask your GP to refer you elsewhere for a second opinion. It will take a long time but you may as well be on the waiting list. A bit of googling should find the expert in your type of migraines if they are in London, quids in. To be honest in the state that you are in with migraine hugely effecting your life I would pay for a private appointment if the GP won't refer. I strongly think it sounds like your new consultant will not give you confidence.

Baby plans all sound great, not long now.

Sepa74

Hi MW, I'm so sorry to hear about the specialist appointment. It sounds awful, and you must feel so helpless about it all!

I agree with Tootalulah, definitely get a second opinion, and maybe find out how much it would cost to get one privately - it may be lower than you think.

Hopefully your GP will be able to help you through the maze - at least they should have a much better picture of your history and all the specialists you've seen, so fingers crossed they will act straight away.

But be firm with them! Hard when you're not well, I know... but remember, this doesn't just affect you, it affects your baby and your ability to function long term, so it's better for everybody - yourself, taxpayers, the government, the NHS etc to get it sorted!!

Maybe have a chat with Katsu? as much for support as anything - she went through a very similar thing with her OH, didn't she.

It's awful when you are not well, and not receiving the help you need.

((((((hug))))))

museumworker

Thanks for posting both, I definitely will go private if I am still having problems after trying this medication. I can always see the consultant once privately, then get referred on the NHS if I think they are going to help me. I'm also looking at alternative treatments again and awaiting the letter to see if it makes more sense once written down.

Will have to go through Katsu's diary and see if I can ask her advice.

Day 1 of mat leave :j, and someone turned the heating on - thank you! Saw friend for long lunch and took DD to park with friend. Great start (exhausted though, planning a less social day tomorrow).

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello there,

Don't supercilious doctors make you mad. I really sympathise. I think they don't see patients as real people with real worries sometimes.
I am very envious, maternity leave and a lovely new baby to look forward to. You must be so happy, take it easy and enjoy!

All the best,
Squirrel

museumworker

Yes, completely agree - just see us as conditions rather than the more complex human beings that we are. And the lack of understanding/empathy is the most upsetting part!
I am very happy about mat leave, and looking forward to meeting the baby enormously!

Yesterday my welsh lesson was cancelled, so I ended up going to see the Duchess of Malfi at the Old Vic instead, a matinee. It was brilliant - and completely free :j! Felt so good to do something cultural that I never normally have time for, made me realise how if we could retire early we would have a great life!

Ebay sale collected today so £22 in (and massive box out ), but may need it towards OH's special lunch I've booked on Saturday. Plan to pay most of it from my personal account, but will need a bit extra for tips and any drinks.

I have booked some more free tickets for a show tomorrow night for me and OH to kick off his birthday weekend, so will see if he wants to go (if not will cancel). It is his actual birthday today - feel a bit bad that he didn't have anything to open (apart from little gift from DD), but we had bought him the camera and I am taking him somewhere fancy on Sat. It is funny how we feel compelled to give things, isn't it? I am cooking him a nice tea tonight too, hopefully we can have it in the garden.

Tired from my outings the last few days - fell asleep this morning watching tv - so going to take it easy a bit longer before buying bits for dinner and collecting DD from school. Oh blink - and almost forgot have another ama$0n sale, 4th in a week. Hope you're all having a good day.

museumworker

Another 2 Ama$on sales, blimey! £52.99 OP made today, made up of cheque from complaining about boot repairs and Ama$on sales :j!

Today am having final growth scan and have consultants appointment in the morning. Home to put feet up for the afternoon, then have free show with OH this evening.

Have £50 left in joint account and need to do a shop and get petrol :eek:!

greent

Ooh - well done on all the Amazon sales!

Have a lovely rest before heading out with Mr MW