"A disappointing appointment"

I had seen a Consultant on a private basis for my first appointment concerning pain in my knees at the end of April 2015. I was referred for an MRI on one of them for which I did in May 2015. I phoned the secretary to get a follow up appointment in regular appointment slots. I was sent one through quite quickly. This appointment was cancelled the day before which in itself is frustrating and just recently was the first available appointment I was given.

My pain has deteriorated further since my initial appointment in April and at my age I am finding it more and more difficult to sleep and particularly get down the stairs on the morning (I am used to a certain level of pain as I had an operation before which I still have problems with) The pain is a 9 or 10 out of 10 and I am struggling. I had coped with it having all these dates in my mind to focus on for things to be sorted out, or pain relief to be given etc.

I was worried about my recent appointment about the results and what was to come as I was a little preoccupied with pain and also anticipation of results).

However I was wanting a few answers too which I was beginning to need regarding the pain and management of it. So had a focus.

I arrived shortly before 3. 30pm and was seen promptly not by my Consultants but another Doctor. Not a problem this has happened before and sometimes quite nice to have a change of person and opinion.

The doctor had opened up the file on the computer of the MRI but there was no report. The doctor got a little flustered and then informed me that no report could be found about the MRI. The doctor then went on to say they could have a look but wasn't qualified to tell me what it showed? ! ? I couldn't understand what use the doctor was in a position of a consultant with no understand as what I view pretty basic stuff, xrays, MRI's.

There was absolutely no point to the appointment at all as although I told the doctor how painful it had now got in both knees the doctor couldn't offer any further help in case was advising on the wrong level as the doctor didn't know if the MRI had shown anything up.

I mentioned that I thought it was possibly Rheumatoid Arthritis, which as yet no one has taken bloods to check immune system, and didn't even offer to get that done. Just told me to come back for another appointment in a weeks time.

I was absolutely gutted, if they didn't have a write up then they could have called to say that so I didn't have to go in during the middle of the day? I cried as I I was in so much pain and because I was no further forward.

I have now got another two weeks to wait in agony anticipating whether or not the next appointment I go to will be the same.

I feel exhausted, let down and in a lot of pain just having to 'hold on'. I need to plan child care and need to plan for future changes in physical health, (train more staff up if I may not be able to manage in my job). I needed some answers yesterday, a way forward, some possible scenarios but got absolutely nothing and have to wait now.