"Chronic pain"

About: General practices in Tayside

(as a service user),

I have seen the GP multiple times and had to change GP due to not feeling listened to. I'm autistic and find it easier to communicate in writing.

My psychiatrist has been wonderful in this respect, allowing me to send info between appointments. This seems to be an issue with the GP and I feel like after 5years of chronic pain, something is being missed.

I feel the most appropriate thing would be for me to have a full body scan. I am currently on the waiting list for neurology, rheumatology, abdominal ultrasound, and awaiting a pelvic exam. I have unexplained weight gain which nothing is being done about and I am also awaiting referral to the sleep clinic.

Why is there no service to oversee the full range of issues, rather than waiting for different services? I appreciate that MRI etc is expensive, but in comparison to referring me to all these different places, surely it is more efficient? It would also massively reduce my anxiety, and give an opportunity to work out the cause of my unexplained symptoms.

I feel like a lot of things are written off as being caused by anxiety, and I understand that there is a danger of creating a loop of health anxiety, and requesting tests of this nature but this will not be the case. My symptoms are fairly consistent, so if nothing is found then I will be able to accept that there is nothing more sinister ongoing.

This is likely to reduce my anxiety, which in turn may reduce my pain levels. It will also lead to less resources being required as I will know what I am dealing with.

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Responses

Response from Sarah Lowry, Business Unit Service Manager, Corporate and Board, NHS Tayside 3 years ago
Sarah Lowry
Business Unit Service Manager, Corporate and Board,
NHS Tayside
Submitted on 02/03/2021 at 18:03
Published on Care Opinion on 03/03/2021 at 10:27


Dear asteropemt96, thank you for taking the time to provide feedback regarding your experience.

I was sorry to read that you do not feel you were being listened to by your GP and of the 5 years of chronic pain you've experienced, I can't imaging how challenging this must be.

In order for me to provide a full response I need to gain some information from colleagues to understand what pathways are available. It would also be helpful if you could contact the Complaints and Feedback Team by email: Tay.feedback@nhs.scot to provide some more detail about your experience so we can ensure we provide you with information that meets your needs and circumstances.

I hope to hear from you in order that we can get a fuller response to you.

Thank you

Sarah Lowry, Service Manager, NHS Tayside

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