Confused and not coping. Help?

So I am currently waiting to get diagnosed, I'm currently on a waiting list for a full Colonoscopy, I was told I would be seen before christmas, then end of January, which stays in the 3 months which is how long you are suppose to wait (I had my consult in October but have been in pain since June). I phoned the people who send out the appointments and got told I am looking at February and then backtracked and told me I didn't get put on the waiting list until November which is not right. I was told by 3 different people before I would be on emergency and urgent but now they are telling me that doesn't exist. I study at college and I fear that I am going to have to drop out until next year because I'm missing so much work. My GP Won't give me any mediations, they have offered me 8mg of co-codamolwhich desn't even mask the pain, it just constipates me and makes my pain worse. I'm in constant pain everyday, every night which means I'm hardly sleeping. My mental health is deteriorating fastand i just don't know what to do..

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are in so much pain. Feel free to come here anytime. There are a lot of supportive people here. Is there another doctor you can see?

Hello Jom
That is truly appalling and amount to neglect in my opinion
Could you go to emergency department. of hospital and let them see how bad things are for you.
Cocodamol is not the answer and a poor substitute for good treatment.
You should find better care from the hospital and especially when they see how badly this is affecting you physically and mentally
Your present treatment is unacceptable and I am very sorry to hear of your pain and discomfort due to neglectful medics who should know better
Our medical systems are not what they should be and they seem to have forgotten the motto "To comfort always!."
Feel better soon my friend.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

Amen

Can you go to a private practice? I know there is a private practice in London with a very good IBD specialist. Perhaps there is one in Edinburgh too.

Btw

I feel for you. Codeine wouldn't touch the pain for me either. I truly hope you can go to see another doctor. I had to ask for a pain specialist who got me on the right track with pain control while in the hospital. One thing you can try with the constipation caused by codeine is to take Lactulose. It is a stool softener and here in Canada it is over the counter. I believe i had to take it several hours before or after my pain meds because it can interfere with the absorbtion of certain drugs. Read the label and carefully follow the directions BTW the orange flavor is not too bad and it really helped me when I was going through hell. Feel free to pm me if you want any more info, I will do my best to help you.

Cheers.

P.S. you could ask at your local pharmacy if they have Lidocaine gell. It can be used to numb the rectal area and helps a lot with pain.

Thank you all for your advice.
I received a letter through the post today with my appointment date. They sent the letter out the day after I phoned them (so yesterday), I think they finally took me seriously and realised that the date I got put on the waiting list was wrong on their part. My appointment is in 2 weeks. I honestly can't express what a relief it will be to finally have a diagnosis.

Thank you for the support, you are all so kind.
Bless you all.

I'm so glad you've got an appointment. It's scary what is happening to our NHS, it really is. However, in my area, once you're actually in the system you have access to a phone helpline with knowledgeable nurses who actually offer more practical help and advice than the GI, so hopefully things will improve for you. I agree with people who've said that co-codamol is a really bad idea. My GI was aghast that a GP prescribed it to me and told me to stop taking it immediately!

Give me a shout or PM any old time. I would love to help. You can beat this thing.

Peace.

and be sure to send your MP the whole story.In the US when there is an area with special problems, frequently a congressman will have one aid who deals with them. Can you report the GP who prescribed the wrong pain killer so he doesn't do it again?

Hey Jom,

I'm here for you buddy! give me a shout any time. I really love people!(and animals).

cmack

Hey Jom,

I hope you are well, feel free to chat me up any time. I really want to give back to this community that has helped me so much.

I hope to hear from you and wish you all the best,

cmack