Posted by Tracy (195.147.234.249) on March 30, 2000 at 09:50:10:
In Reply to: UK help posted by Simon on March 29, 2000 at 12:33:47:
Hi Simon!
The specialist is from the Institute of Neurology in Central London. I can't imagine he'd be wrong! In fact he's the only health professional that has actually tried to genuinely help me (apart from a GP at my surgery who is now retired). According to him CPH is quite rare and there haven't been any studies done to date. He's currently trying to get me onto a study programme.
As far as my own surgery goes, the only drug I have been prescribed is Co-Codamol which hardly helps at all anymore. I also used my husband's post operative painkillers (Co-Dydramol). Although I'm very reluctant to carry on using either drug now as I've recently found out that they are addictive with prolonged use, and they don't help much anymore anyway.
As to my GP he puts everything I have ever had down to stress and tension. My asthma, the lot. He is also *EXTREMELY* concerned with his budget. He changed my (perfectly good) inhaler (which had very few side effects), for another one which isn't as good (and apparently has more side-effects) because it's cheaper. He actually told me that was the reason why he'd changed it!
At the end of the day my surgery has been unhelpful in the extreme. The only doctor there who bothered with his patients (he didn't treat us like a cattle market, he was also the one who actually diagnosed me as a CH sufferer) has now been (rumour has it, forcibly) retired. Apparently he was spending too much money on, and too much time with, his patients. Perish the thought that he should actually *CARE* about the people he was treating!!!!
So forgive my cynical and somewhat bitter attitude to our NHS system. To me it isn't any different to the US. I have heard doctors at my surgery advise patients about going private or obtaining private prescriptions! Therefore, like the US, it's not about the greater need, it's more about what you can afford isn't it?!
Thanks for your interest though, it's nice to interact with other sufferers. At least you can let off steam without feeling an idiot!
All the best
Tracy