My husband has quite a few medical problems mostly stemming from his Type 1 diabetes which he has had for over 50 years.
Six years ago he was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Eighteen months later he had a shunt fitted and initially he was fine. Then the symptoms started to reappear and for the next two years we were backwards and forwards having it adjusted.
Eventually, they basically washed their hands of him and he was referred to a 'Neurologist' I put it like that because the guy we saw was once upon a time a GP in a practice I'd left because of his attitude, especially towards my elderly parents. Apparently, he did these consultations in the Neurology Department on a part time basis, but I digress.
After a cursory examination he dismissed my hubby with the throw away remark of, 'Oh your brain will go on thinning. No need for a follow up appointment unless there's a significant change.'
No chance to ask questions just booted out so we dipped into our savings and saw a Consultant Neurologist who diagnosed Autonomic Neuropathy, which in conjunction with the NPH is progressive and were advised to enjoy as much of life as we could while we could.
Hubby started to deteriorate quite rapidly last year and after speaking to the Clinical assistant in Neuro Surgery the decision was made to put the shunt onto the widest setting to relieve the pressure in hubby's head even though there was a greater risk of a brain haemmorhage, collections of fluid or a stroke. Thankfully, a recent CT scan showed none of these, but my hubby is still deteriorating.
We went to see our GP to try and get a referral to the Neurologist. According to our GP it's all par for the course and no point getting a referral. We know that the Autonomic Neuropathy affects every function in his body, but my hubby after being in denial for years actually wants to know what to expect so we can prepare but we are met with a wall.
He says I'm not eligible for any assistance in looking after my hubby so I give up on the medical profession. They don't listen, don't care and aren't interested. I've managed to keep hubby going this far even after my own mini stroke, so I'll just keep going.
Sorry to rant.
Six years ago he was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Eighteen months later he had a shunt fitted and initially he was fine. Then the symptoms started to reappear and for the next two years we were backwards and forwards having it adjusted.
Eventually, they basically washed their hands of him and he was referred to a 'Neurologist' I put it like that because the guy we saw was once upon a time a GP in a practice I'd left because of his attitude, especially towards my elderly parents. Apparently, he did these consultations in the Neurology Department on a part time basis, but I digress.
After a cursory examination he dismissed my hubby with the throw away remark of, 'Oh your brain will go on thinning. No need for a follow up appointment unless there's a significant change.'
No chance to ask questions just booted out so we dipped into our savings and saw a Consultant Neurologist who diagnosed Autonomic Neuropathy, which in conjunction with the NPH is progressive and were advised to enjoy as much of life as we could while we could.
Hubby started to deteriorate quite rapidly last year and after speaking to the Clinical assistant in Neuro Surgery the decision was made to put the shunt onto the widest setting to relieve the pressure in hubby's head even though there was a greater risk of a brain haemmorhage, collections of fluid or a stroke. Thankfully, a recent CT scan showed none of these, but my hubby is still deteriorating.
We went to see our GP to try and get a referral to the Neurologist. According to our GP it's all par for the course and no point getting a referral. We know that the Autonomic Neuropathy affects every function in his body, but my hubby after being in denial for years actually wants to know what to expect so we can prepare but we are met with a wall.
He says I'm not eligible for any assistance in looking after my hubby so I give up on the medical profession. They don't listen, don't care and aren't interested. I've managed to keep hubby going this far even after my own mini stroke, so I'll just keep going.
Sorry to rant.