News on the non-bladder front is moving at a bonkers pace. A snap election called so that brings a halt to the great work some of the Continence world are working on. Such a shame. I hope we can pick up after June, in the new world. If Boris was PM, then with Trump and whoever in France, Kim in NK, Erdo in Turkey a bonkers pack would be complete.
Bladder news is bonkers. No pace. Much bonkers. In short: I have now had a non-stop infection since oh February I think. To be clear. That means pain, headaches, back ache, smelly pee and spasms . Some days better than others. Antibiotics changed every so often. But each time I stop the vomit-making high doses, I then start the body riddling issues of a new infection. Move onto the next antibiotic and hope. Each week I send what is called an msu. That is a mid stream urine sample, or in my case a disposable catheter, multi antibacterially clean sample. That is then sent to the ‘lab’ with a ‘form’. Now I can do that via GP. He and I have devised a way of getting past the Rottweilers on his reception and the gatekeepers at the nurses station. The reason for our devious plan, is that sample could be stopped at any moment by those very important ladies and they have the ‘POWER’ to make sure that the…..
piddle
in the test tube, is not sent to the infamous ‘lab’. The reception only allow one ‘test tube’ per person. So woe betide you if you lose it or, drop it and then, god forbid, bring your pee in an old JAM JAR. The nurses have the task of dipsticking the pee. That allows them to reject any that don’t register. It also allows for cross-contamination, false negatives, false positives and effing stupid effing false results.
Now bear with me here.
The ‘lab’, if the pee ever gets there, tests the msu. The results are generated. It takes a 48 hour culture growing slide to find the sensitivities and resistances to antibiotics. Or in fact to report cross- contamination . Highly likely. It does take a bit longer, if a particularly resistant bugger is found. in the …
That lab report goes to the GP. The GP scribbles on it. After a week, as instructed, the patient rings for the result. If there is no growth of bacteria, the Rottweiler is allowed to say: ‘Result normal no further action’.
If ( as is nearly always the case for me) the culture has grown a bug, Rottweiler says ‘ you must speak to a doctor’. Then there is the inordinately antideluvian procedure to ask for an appointment with your usual doctor, ( unlikely for 6 weeks) or a phone consultation ( usually 1 week hence), or an appointment or phone call with ANY doctor ( usually 48 hours) but utterly pointless as the unknown poor GP starts by asking if I have any history of infections, FFS.
This all takes time of course and the infection symptoms just get worse and worse to the point the patient just wants to cry . Not scream because that would simply be too exhausting once infection had really taken hold.
Hopefully you are still with me and not wishing you were in a
OK. I am lucky enough to see some London Consultants too. Of these, Jerome, devised an excellent scheme where I have many signed ‘forms’ ‘pots’ and ‘specialplastic bags’ -Thus armed I can catheter cleanly into pot, so much easier than the GP bloody test-tube. Pot goes to lab. If I am not in London, faithful D drives it to his work in North London. A courier then takes it to the ‘lab’. A cost implication which makes me hesitate every time as the lab and taxi between them cost me £100. BUT. When desperate ( rather often of late) I get the result via Jerome, his phone and my ipad, within 48 hours. Get onto the right antibiotic and stand a fighting chance of beating the buggers.
This can really really go tits up though.
p*** off
Dipstick you may recall, saw me last week. He sent off an msu. Good.
I had to see GP too. He sent of msu too. Good.
All great so far.
Dipstick does not seem to be able to use his phone to receive the results.
In fact I think he has a device on his phone and his brain, that deletes all patientinfo, calls, texts, emails and messages about patients. Not that I blame him for trying to protect himself. It is just that every time I see him he insists: you know how to get hold of me. NO I DO NOT you effing nightmare man. I have challenged him He really does insist I can ring or text ANY TIME. FFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRR
I rang his office for the results. Very nice ladies said he had them and he would sort it. He did not.
I texted him. He did reply! ‘ script sent’ whatever the f that meant. Rang his poor office again turns out he had cleverly got them to organise a prescription. For the stuff I am ALLERGIC to. I texted him. He did not reply.
His office tried again. Just send me the results I pleaded. That is all I needed just the bloody results, please.
Eventually8days after the test they emailed the results.
In parallel I rang the GP for the results. Usual ‘make an appointment next year’ response.
But I used my plan xyz . I pop into the surgery and ask the Rottweiller to print off results of the last week ‘ to take to the hospital’ they meekly do.
Hah. That plan also went wrong. Got 20 sheaves of paper. They were dated over about 3 days one of which I had taken msu in.
They were all blank. They all said ‘Culture not done. Automated analysis indicates no likelihood of infection’
Arghghgh. So I simply give up.
The effing sodding automated system can bypass the GP’s carefully annotated request for a full testing on account of multi -allergy multi -resistant multi -complicated patient -with only- one- kidney, to please please try to see what is there.
At least I have at last got the report from the Dipstick office …that shows there IS an infection ‘no likelihood of infection’ my arse. What the bloody hell are we doing. Automated crapness. or is it a Sci Fi AI type decision. This lady is too old, too complicated too expensive. Do not grow culture. Do not help her. Exterminate Exterminate.
Health Economics I have been learning for a new role I am doing, revolves around Quality of Life calculations. Opportunity costs and improved patient outcomes.
I’m jumping up and down with frustration and anger on your behalf and just wished you lived in my area because I’m sure you would receive excellent treatment here.
Anyhow it’s time you came to FairLight for some TLC not to mention a delicious Gin I picked up recently.
I can’t call you Jacq because I have no voice at the moment but I do have a sore throat and chest infection. We lose some we gain some!
All love Eddie
Oh Jacq, this is not funny . It is awful. I can hardly believe it you are such a victim of such a terrible system in this day and age. it is too wearying for words, and you must be at the end of your tether… how can ‘they’ be so inefficient. It is terrible terrible terrible. If you saw the highest authority in the ourologist land do you think it would make things better? you seem to know better than any of the so-called specialists what should be done, but why the delays, and all the time your infections are thriving and the cocktail of antibiotics cannot be good for you.
Don’t give up, don’t give up… xxxx all love N
Each week I send what is called an msu. That is a mid stream urine sample, or in my case a disposable catheter, multi antibacterially clean sample. That is then sent to the ‘lab’ with a ‘form’. Now I can do that via GP. He and I have devised a way of getting past the Rottweilers on his reception and the gatekeepers at the nurses station. The reason for our devious plan, is that sample could be stopped at any moment by those very important ladies and they have the ‘POWER’ to make sure that the…..
Daily Stent. I cannot cure you but I can make you laugh (citation Jerome) 
Bonkerbananas is the only word. Keep laughing and smiling and enjoy Canada
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I’m jumping up and down with frustration and anger on your behalf and just wished you lived in my area because I’m sure you would receive excellent treatment here.
Anyhow it’s time you came to FairLight for some TLC not to mention a delicious Gin I picked up recently.
I can’t call you Jacq because I have no voice at the moment but I do have a sore throat and chest infection. We lose some we gain some!
All love Eddie
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So unbelievable I had to read it twice!
Time you had a break and met me in Carluccios!!
Love and hugs Sue xx
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what do you mean ‘your comment is awaiting moderation? My blood is boiling at the way you are being treated.
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Oh Jacq, this is not funny . It is awful. I can hardly believe it you are such a victim of such a terrible system in this day and age. it is too wearying for words, and you must be at the end of your tether… how can ‘they’ be so inefficient. It is terrible terrible terrible. If you saw the highest authority in the ourologist land do you think it would make things better? you seem to know better than any of the so-called specialists what should be done, but why the delays, and all the time your infections are thriving and the cocktail of antibiotics cannot be good for you.
Don’t give up, don’t give up… xxxx all love N
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