Hi everyone, hope you are having a lovely Christmas/ holidays.
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At the end of October, I came down with a bad cold (or what felt like "man flu"). Shortly after recovering, I experienced severe pain in my right lower flank. This pain lasted 4-5 days, was extremely intense, and then suddenly stopped before shifting to my left side for a few days. After this, the pain disappeared completely. At the time, I was away, so I consulted a private online GP who struggled to provide a clear diagnosis without further testing. They mentioned appendicitis as a possibility and advised me to see an in-person doctor for further investigation.
A few weeks later, the pain returned, but this time it was more central and accompanied by intense throbbing lower back pain, far worse than anything I had ever experienced. I went to my local GP, who began a series of investigations. Over the course of four GP appointments, I had three rounds of blood tests and other standard examinations. At one point, my CRP (a marker for infection) was alarmingly high at 200+. This led to a referral to A&E, where I spent the day undergoing repeat blood tests and other assessments. By the time I was seen, my bloodwork had improved, and I was feeling slightly better, so they discharged me with the impression that further investigation wasn’t necessary.
Despite this, I followed up with my GP, who ordered a third round of blood tests. These still showed elevated markers but continued improvement. The GP also insisted I go ahead with an X-ray they had previously requested, despite A&E suggesting it wasn’t needed.
Last week, I had the X-ray, and shortly afterward, I received an unexpected call from the hospital (and later my GP). They informed me that while the X-ray didn’t show any lung issues, it revealed something concerning in my chest that warrants further investigation. They’ve now requested a CT scan to take a closer look. However, with the timing just before Christmas, I haven’t yet received a confirmed appointment, and the uncertainty is causing significant stress.
In the meantime, I’m still dealing with persistent back pain, fatigue, and random headaches, and I’m no closer to understanding what’s going on. I have private healthcare available—should I push for a referral through that route or wait for the NHS to progress the CT scan?
Many Thanks.
In the meantime, I’m still dealing with persistent back pain, fatigue, and random headaches, and I’m no closer to understanding what’s going on. I have private healthcare available—should I push for a referral through that route or wait for the NHS to progress the CT scan?
Hi Chris..... sorry to see you here on Christmas Day but I hope you can have a good one nevertheless.
My one word answer to your question is yes. Book a private CT but pursue the NHS one at the same time
The NHS is marvellous once you get in there but absolutely awful in the early stages.
I was messed about by my urgent referral going astray so I booked my initial consultant appointment privately. The two came together on the same day in the end so I cancelled the private one
Good luck
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
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