Quick route for back pain

KG

My 23 year old brother is having really bad back pain at the moment and is having trouble getting the doctors to take him seriously. They just gave him paracetemol (sp?) for the first 3 months and he is now having problems in what every position he is in, moving or not.

They have finally referred him to a specialist but warned it will take months to get to see them and he's in such pain.

Does anyone know of any good value private options which would let him see a specialist quicker?

KG

Liverbird

If you have the specialists name at the hospital, another alternative is to give that Drs secretary a call and ask about a private appointment. We had a similar problem with an aunt a few years ago. We called in the morning and she was seen in the afternoon of the same day. Unfortunately, money talks!

Poppy9

KG if your brother hasn't sustained an injury he hasn't by any chance had a new bed in the last few months. Sometimes it takes a while to show up that a bed isn't right for you. I personally cannot sleep on solid bases. I have to have a nice sprung mattress with a sprung base too. Holidays are a nightmare - tired worn out beds on hard bases crease me

KG

Thanks for all the suggestions.

No new bed recently. He's also been to a chiropractor (I'm a big believer as they worked wonders for me) but it made it worse.

He did fall off a wall last year though, which is why we're keen to get him to see a back specialist asap.

K

Little_Miss_Winner

If the pain is getting, very severe. Ring the GP surgery and demand a home visit for him!
The Dr won't like the fact he has been summoned out, and so will probably get him a specialist cancellation appointment within a couple of days. Will also probably give him strong painkillers for the pain.

If he won't ring/ask the Dr to visit then you do it for him.

Tell the receptionist you are not putting the phone down, till you either speak to the Dr, or he arrives at the house!

Got to be polite, but very firm, stand your ground.

Regards
pot

pookie

pot'o'gold, that's awful. home visits are there for old/disabled/severely ill people who can't actually get to the doctor's surgery- wasting the doctor's time is going to make them annoyed and will definitely NOT make them want to pursue your cause. and, personally i would be v annoyed if my elderly gran had to wait longer for a dr to visit because he was having to visit someone who could have gone to the surgery.
besides- GPs cannot make cancellations materialise out of thin air if they are not there- hospitals allocate any spaces available due to cancellations according to whoever is next on the list.
if the pain is very severe, by all means do go and see your GP again. there are plenty of painkillers and anti-inflammatories out there (i know from personal experience) which can help to ease the pain whilst your brother is waiting, or your GP can try to re-refer more urgently if the pain is worsening. try the chiropractor/ osteopath too.

Glad

The asking for and giving of Medical/Treatment advice is against the rules of this site,
please see here to read the rules on posting on the Health Board
regards
Glad