"Absolutely awful."

I was seen initially in November, having become very unwell and extrememly debilitated virtually overnight.

I felt I wasn't listened to, nor treated with any respect and came away feeling patronised. Gave various blood samples but wasn't told what they were even testing for, nor given any idea as to what might be wrong with me. I returned in February having begged to be seen again as my condition had worsened. Yet again I was patronised and fobbed off and discharged, with a misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia, feeling like some sort of pathetic malingerer wasting their time. Even with that diagnosis, no further offer of support was given, just discharged and told to go back to my GP.

My GP waited 2 months for a letter from the department after my first visit, which both they and I felt was unacceptable.

With the support of my GP I paid to see a private rheumatologist and they were fantastic, reassuring me that yes there was definitely something wrong and has ensured I'll be treated back on the NHS at Hexham rheumatology, for long term investigations and hopefully some sort of treatment. All I wanted was to get better and get my life back.

Sadly I've started to lose some of my hair on top of everything else going on and I feel upset that had I been listened to in the first place, I'd be much further on with more in-depth investigations by now, as opposed to being back at square one.