The NHS saved my life last Tuesday. I was wheeled from ambulance into the theatre. About 7 gowned figures introduced themselves and I was prepped on the table wearing a mask; one signature and I went from dying to rescued in a couple of hours. I’m gutted for the one whose operation was cancelled at the last minute; the NHS came up trumps.
WHAT?! That is so scary! I'm really glad to hear that you had such a positive outcome. Bless those NHS workers from the ambulance team to the surgeons and assistants... they did exactly what needed to be done! Hopefully the operation that was moved was just for a knee replacement or something that could wait a bit.
I've had exactly the same experience 3 times now. The first when I was 37, not overweight and thought I was in peak health/fitness, until for about 5 weeks I just couldn't stop coughing. Long story short it got so bad I could hardly breath so I rang 999 at 10.30pm after suffering all day, within 10 mins the ambulance was there and I had no clue what was wrong with me. The female paramedic (in fact they were both female) asked me if id had pains in my neck or shoulder, and yeah, I had for weeks. They then immediately put me in a chair, and I'm 3 stories up, but these two ladies wouldn't let me take another step and they carried me down the twisting super awkward stairs. They then gave me a 500ml aspirin, never once telling me their suspicions which by then they must have known. I did an ECG in the ambulance, then they hit the siren joking with me how they only do that when its bad traffic and they have a break coming up (lie lol) and all the way there they were talking to me about mundane things having a joke, anything to take my mind off any stress. When we got to the hospital I was immediately rushed into the resuss room, a bunch of doctors and nurses swarmed round me, did some medical speech which was like a foreign language then a doctor came over and said 'hi Darren, first off, don't be alarmed by what I'm gonna tell you but you're having a heart attack ok, but don't worry cause it's very easy to treat and you're young and otherwise healthy so I have no concerns at all. After the initial shock of "I am having a heart attack wtf" I was then taken for xrays, which they even do while you're in one of their portable bads, some blood tests, I waited around half an hour and I was then taken into theatre. There they put a long stent in my artery and when I woke up I already felt 1000x better..by morning I felt as though I'd had nothing at all wrong with me. Since then every 3 months I see my cardiologist to discuss any issues or to tweet my meds. I had a second heart attack I'm January 2021 and same experience again. Only they also discovered I had a congenital heart defect so I now i also have an implanted defibrillator, which is ironic as it comes from Boston. With this I can also download the info it had gathered each week then email this data off via like a box they give you that sends the data to the hospital 15 miles away and if they see anything on it they regard as dangerous they will ring me straight away. Apart from all other treatments I've had on the NHS. Broken legs, wrists and umpteen different things beyond the scope of this text. But my experience of the NHS, after what I'd consider a wide experience of the service is first class. I wouldn't be alive without it. What better testiment is there than that
Dunno how anyone can afford private healthcare. Thank god for the NHS. I hope it doesn’t get dismantled because we don’t want the crappy American system here.
@@rplea I’m sorry to tell you - but England NHS is now delivered by 42 U.S American Style Accountable Care Organisations, called Integated Care Systems. These organisations use the same risk-reward sharing arrangements, dangerous discharging practices and American utilisation management processes. Americas largest healthcare insurer UnitedHealth Group is already in many of these ICS risk stratifying and segmenting the ICS population, and even vetting people’s referrals to secondary care. The Centene Corporation is Englands largest single provider of primary care, although they are now withdrawing from the Englands ICS NHS We must demand the original Beveridge NHS. #RenationaliseNHS #NHS_NOT_ICS
The NHS may have longer waiting lists for non urgent care but when push comes to shove if it is urgent like cancer, heart attack, or something broken they get you in quickly.
I can attest to that. When I needed a nephrectomy there was no waiting around... And if you're wondering what a "nephrectomy" might be, I would suggest you do NOT look it up on Google 😐
Absolutely! My grandad had a severe stroke back in 2015 completely out of the blue (no risk factors apart from age). Luckily the person he was with recognised the signs and called an ambulance which rushed him off to the nearest hospital. The hospital gave him some emergency medication and confirmed the stroke but realised how severe it was so immediately sent him off in another ambulance to a specialist hospital. The specialists gave him a cutting edge treatment which few people in the world had received at that point - this not only saved his life, but also improved his chances of recovery. He spent some time in hospital including physio and occupational therapy, which carried on after he went home. He also had a home help for a while. He recovered well and now you would struggle to notice that he'd even had a stroke if you didn't already know. None of this exemplary care cost him a penny out of pocket nor were there any admin hoops to jump through or non-medical people to convince - the same goes for his cancer treatment a few years earlier or his recent pacemaker or the various medical procedures other family members have needed over the years. I love the NHS and hope that it never goes away. It's hard to fathom that the NHS was only formed when my grandad was 11, as it just seems like such a logical way to do healthcare.
Yes, the comparisons are very interesting. Just like I think that it's interesting Aussies have Medicare for everyone, and in the states it's only for people age 65+
The best NHS system in the world, and the best health care system in the world is the French one. They do everything Churchill the father of the NHS wanted, Bevan cocked it up here as do Labour every time they get into power.
I took a 70 year old who was away from home on holiday to A&E (Accident and emergency) yesterday who was feeling very unwell and anxious, it was after hours for an NHS GP (general practitioner/family doctor) appointment, so this what we were advised to do. I was fully expecting the hospital facility to be very busy and there to be long waits. After 30 minutes, he was called into the treatment area by a junior doctor, who after an assessment, asked him to wait for a specialist to have a look. So he waited another 30 minutes, had an examination and was immediately given medicines and advice how to treat the condition, with instructions to see a GP if things were still bad the following day. After a good night's sleep, he was a lot better. Everybody at the hospital was polite, efficient and professional. The facility was clean and modern with a relaxing decor. I was very impressed by it.
There's an expectation that waiting times are just down to how busy a place is. These units will tend to 'triage' by treating people in order of seriousness or allowing lesser skilled staff to deal with low hanging fruit that can be dealt with quickly. It means some people will wait a very long time because they could potentially keep getting bounced to bottom of the list as more serious cases come in and doctors will also spend their time bearing in mind dependencies on other units like MRI or Xray or availability of specialists. Waiting 'in turn' is what we are used to and it can be frustrating if you dont realise that's not the way it works. In my cases they have always got priorities as right as they can but i have seen people treated as drunks when they seemed actually concussed and badly bleeding and not treat as urgent as they should.
If it’s an emergency there is no waiting, my brother was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis at 14. When he first showed symptoms my parent took him to our local hospital, they had to rule certain things out stomach bug etc but he was watched closely as the suspected UC and had him in every other day for fluids. From first symptom to diagnosis was 3 weeks. Transferred to Royal London and the next year he spent so much time in hospital as they tried to control the condition, but all treatments failed. A year later he had surgery to remove his colon and stoma bag fitted. He has his life back and is thriving. Still under the hospital and always will be. Even after losing 16 months at school he still passed his GCSEs with Grade 4s + and moved on to his A’Levels with his friends. He now hopes to go to the US to study if he can get a scholarship. Just nice he has dreams again and it’s all thanks to the wonderful NHS.
I had my one and only NHS hospital stay back in March this year, which saved my life. I had a stomach ache on the Saturday, it was worse on the Sunday, phoned NHS 111 helpline and they told me to get to the walk-in centre ASAP (they booked an emergency appointment for me). The doctor at the centre examined me and booked me in to the local hospital ("You look like you have appendicitis, go there now!"). I went straight there and was admitted that evening. Early next morning I had the operation, where they removed a partially burst appendix. I was kept in for two days on antibiotics and was well enough to go home on the Wednesday. Thank you NHS.
@@MagentaOtterTravelsI think You're Starting to learn, Most Healthcare systems around the World, it's about preventing a Life OR Death situation. Even here in Canada there's no Cost for minor operations. There is some long wait times for specific operations, for broken Arms/ Legs it's usually the same day with maybe an overnight stay, with NO cost. Personally, I've had a Heart operation 10 years ago, I was in the Hospital for Two and a half weeks, to This Day, I still Don't Know the Totally cost. In the States it'd Cost me OVER $15 000 For that Whole time/ operation.
I've been nearly pulling my hair out with frustration at some aspects of the NHS, but have found it faultless with regard to anything urgent. And it's always there, no matter who you are or what your situation is, it's always there. Which is good.
Healthcare is usually frustrating... especially as we age and have greater need for it! But it's nice when you find a doctor you can see consistently. And when your medical bills don't bankrupt you.
I love the NHS so much they saved my brothers life with 17 years of ops and i have had 4 life saving ops and spent months and months in hospitals. Iv had loads of time in HDU and intensive care the staff are wonderful.
I agree with Ian only see doctors for the big stuff. I'm 74 and hadn't seen a doctor for 14 years until I developed a horrible viral lung infection. When I decided I needed to see a doctor I phoned my surgery and saw a doctor the same day. I was prescribed a medicine which cured the lung infection but after two weeks I was still breathless and went back to the doctors. I was promptly given tests, x-rays and told I had developed late onset asthma probably due to the infection. I was prescribed inhalers and my care is now in the hands of a specialist respiratory nurse, just last week I was called back in to check how I was getting on and that I was using the inhalers correctly and to help with any questions I may have. I really can't fault the care I received and feel well looked after.
At least the doctor was upfront about Ian's choice of treatment. I'd have been slightly worried if he'd sent you home with a recipe for a poultice... ear of bat, eye of newt etc. As for tradesmen: if you find a good one, hang on to them like they were made of gold.
Medical care in UK will always be honest with you, you will not pay out unnecessarily. Tennis elbow gets better on its own I think. How do you know, if you pay, that the work you are having is always needed. I am not impressed with you wanting work just because it's free.
@@MagentaOtterTravels It's funny that you should say that, but apparently the use of leeches (medical ones) is making a limited come back in some situations. And more than that - and I don't want to put you off your breakfast - the use of maggots as well. In some applications where there is a wound that is not healing properly because of dead tissue, they've (the medics) used maggots placed on the wound to eat the dead flesh leaving clean tissue that heals better.
That must have been a very comforting result- not needing drastic intervention prior to leaving the Uk. Down to earth doctor and open and honest about what the NHS can offer patients. Take care of the elbow Ian and safe travels home in a few weeks. 🙏🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿🌺
I’ve had frozen shoulder in both my shoulders (here in the U.K.) and my GP has given me two free steroid jabs and they both worked beautifully and that was years ago…..😃🧡💚
We do have private health care in the Uk, it varies in cost and is usually a monthly subscription. It usually means access to treatment is a lot quicker than the NHS
@@chriscox4023 - I used to work in a physio clinic and so many people now have BUPA etc and use that to pay for treatment. On my last trip to my GP I even got asked if I had private medical insurance so I could get a minor op done quicker, which was quite shocking to be honest. God help the NHS! 😕
2 things have immensely helped my long term plantar fasciitis. First, I stumbled across Frank Ng’s foot strengthening exercises on his RUclips channel and secondly, wearing Hoka recovery sliders. I went from severe pain and not being able to walk far to being able to walk miles. These two things have made a huge difference to my PF.
If you want to, you can also pay privately here. The NHS has been promised to us from cradle to grave, and so glad you have had such a good experience. We now have private hospitals here -In my town there are two on the same site as our local NHS hospital. There are times NHS patients care is shipped to once of these. I think it is good to have choice. I hope Ian's tennis elbow gets better... tennis elbow pain is a nagging one.... All the best.
Thank you! He went to the chiropractor today and had some soft tissue work, an adjustment, and some acupuncture. We will see if that provides any pain relief! 🙏
This might not work for everyone, but years ago I had plantar fasciitis mostly from walking on hardwood and tile floors in my home. The podiatrist said, "Before you pay for expensive inserts or treatments, try wearing Crocs when you are in the house, instead of being in bare feet." Within a few days of wearing the Crocs faithfully, all the time indoors, the pain went away. I could not believe it. Even now, if I "cheat" and walk around in just socks or bare feet, that pain starts up again -- and the Crocs make it go away. I hope Ian can eventually get some pain relief, in whatever way works, for his elbow and feet!! 💪🦶😔
He has tried literally everything. Thankfully, over the nine years since he first started having the problem things have gotten much better. The thing that helped the most was rest. The second most effective remedy was time. But yes, neither of us ever ever ever ever walk around the house in bare feet! I have different foot problems and cannot walk on hard floors. This summer we both bought Oofos, which have been great for house shoes. Super cushiony and amazing arch support!
@@MagentaOtterTravels Danger, Will Robinson! Walking around the house with bare feet can be extremely hazardous! Back when I was 8yo a stood on a needle which embedder itself in the sole of my foot. It was sticking our like an arrow. 😲 My dad removed it with pliers. At least I think he did. There was only half a needle. Either it was already broken, or I've still got half a needle in my foot. 😁
I have a number if foot problems including peripheral neuropathy, I have had plantar in the past. My daughter recommended Crocs to me and I have worn them for over four years with no problems recurring. I wear them all the time now as I am housebound.
@@Poliss95this happened to me when a child but still always had bare feet both indoors and the garden, when walking by the seaside too. Now it's Crocs which give me some arch support
@@loopywren sorry to hear about the peripheral neuropathy! I have a brother and a cousin who suffer from it, and I know how painful and debilitating that can be!
Yes, it really does require commitment to manage it. My husband has had it for nine years, and stretches every day. At least it's much better now than it used to be!
I had an injection for tennis elbow on the NHS about 10 years ago. It took about 10 minutes, involved only minor pain and the elbow has been fine ever since.
Hello Dara& Ian. I hope your elbow gets better. Being a Brit (Welsh, actually), I have very little private health care experience. In the 50’s I had my Tonsils out at a private hospital dun by nun’s the only advantage was for my final meal (not as bad as it sounds) I was asked what I would like, it was chicken and chips, and I got it! Since then, I have only used the NHS, once 14 years ago for two one week stays in hospital for a gall blader problem, and a few times in the last few years because I have a kidney problem that’s probably due to my diabetes. The NHS has a reputation for really bad food. I was given a choice for each meal. Breakfast was cereals, toast & jam, lunch was a choice of various mains but there was always a cheese salad, baked potato with cheese and or baked beans and a choice of sandwiches. Evening meal was similar but with a soup, usually leek & potato or tomato with bread roll and butter and a desert of apple pie with custard, or ice cream, of cheesecake. I’m a picky/fussy eater and I fed well. The kidney problem will never get better but I’m not on the transplant list. However, I am on 3 times a week dialysis, 4 hours a session. The NHS picks me up from home by passenger ambulance, delivers me to my local dialysis centre 3 miles away and home after dialysing. I expect that if all this was claimed off insurance, then they would have classed this as “pre-existing” and I’d be paying it myself. I’d be broke or having a painful short life! Enough of the gloom, the MHS is keeping me alive and as well as can be expected for a 70+ year old!
@@Poliss95 Hello, thanks for your reply. In the late 50’s even though the NHS was well up and running I had just started school and was missing days with tonsillitis. The waiting list was too long so my parents just paid for private treatment. A few years later my younger brother had the same problem and he went private also.
Peter, can I just say how much I LOVE that you talked about food you got in the hospital stays. Even though it was so long ago! You crack me up. I'm exactly the same! And OF COURSE you had leek & potato soup on offer... it's WALES fergoodnessakes! LOL I'm so glad to hear that the NHS is keeping you alive and that the dialysis is working for you. It is AMAZING that the NHS transports you back and forth... I cannot see that happening in the US.
According to NHS website, “Steroid injections are only likely to give short-term relief and their long-term effectiveness is poor.” for tennis-elbow, so your doctor was correct in suggesting to try other methods. Something to note about private healthcare in UK. They do not deal with life-threatening conditions, which would be handled by the NHS. As someone who has had private treatment in the UK, aside from fancier buildings and a shortened wait for operations, the treatment has been no better than what I have received on the NHS.
I have found admin in the private sector to be appalling. Husband was charged twice for one thing, and I swear I got a gap yah daughter of the Doctor’s friend answering his phone. My important interactions with the NHS have been very smooth by comparison.
A few years ago I had awful tennis elbow, my doctor recommended I buy an Epicondylitis Clasp, it is worn above the elbow and is just like a strap that attaches with Velcro. It didn’t cut off the blood supply or anything drastic like that but it certainly helped a lot. I purchased it from Amazon - it was a great, non-invasive treatment.
Thanks, Tracy! We might give that a go. Today Ian had his 2nd chiropractic adjustment to the elbow, and acupuncture needles, and KT tape. We are trying everything ;-) Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Just wondering did you have to pay anything for those procedures, and if not and it was covered by insurance were there any co-pays, or do you have an insurance monthly fee. We non Americans are totally baffled by your system with its endless layers, and bureaucratic non medical people making decisions. I understand if this is asking for to much private information you are not comfortable giving out, so apologies in advance if so.
When I was 60 I was diagnosed with neck cancer. The treatment I received at the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee was superb. After five years of post treatment assessment I was discharged in June this year. The NHS saved my life. Currently my 96 year old father is in hospital in the south of England and is at the end of his life. The treatment he’s receiving is wonderful. Thank you NHS.
Oh goodness, your comment brought a lump to my throat! Bless your dad, and bless you for surviving such a scary cancer! God bless the NHS and may they continue to save lives and support the sick despite all the challenges they endured through the pandemic! BTW... I grew up in Dundee. Illinois! ;-) Cheers for your comment! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels I’ve just looked up your Dundee. It doesn’t look much like mine I have to say. Dundee in Scotland is a city of around 147,000 people, situated on the northern side of the River Tay. It was once famous for the three J’s - Jute, Jam and Journalism. Keillers marmalade well-known brand of marmalade originated there - hence the J for Jam. I have a friend in Pittsburg whose husband has dementia and I believe very little care is provided by the state which is the complete opposite of my father’s experience in the south of England. I enjoy your uploads and hope you keep them coming.
@@markshrimpton3138 yes, my Dundee is definitely very different from your Dundee! I was born in Elgin, which is a larger town. But it has changed a lot since I was born nearly 60 years ago!🩷🏴
Hi Dara and Ian, sorry to hear Ian had a tennis elbow hope it improves on your return to the US. Glad your NHS appointment was a good outcome. I have had to use our NHS over the years for Ovarian Cancer with recurrence after hysterectomy and chemotherapy, plus gallbladder removal and I can say I had excellent care and they seriously saved my life. Plus I’m still under oncology who see me on a regular basis. Also a few members of my family have had operations all with a good outcome. So 👍s up to the NHS x Julie x
Sorry to hear that you have dealt with such serious health challenges, Julie... but so nice to hear that you received good care. Hoping that the coast remains clear on your future oncology appointments! Thanks for watching. XX Dara
Difference is you "CAN" also pay for it here in the UK, via BUPA and other Private health providers. I had my eyes done privately, my mum went with the NHS. I've paid to gain 20/10 vision, twice as good vision as someone with standard 20/20 vision. Whilst the NHS can only offer 20/20 vision.
@@nicolad8822 I had lens replacement surgery because of a cataract . NHS only offer clear lens replacement, Private offers a huge choice including refractive lenses.
Hi Dara & Ian! Haha, I had so many trips to the tip when I was there this Summer! Nice to hear you didn't have to wait too long to be seen by the doctor, Ian. Interesting that your doctor said you could possibly get advanced treatments in the US. Yes, as long as you can afford it. Glad to hear your relations in the UK got very prompt and good care on the NHS, and that you had a positive experience too, Ian. Enjoy your last few days in the UK 😊
I was crippled for 6 months with both feet affected one after the other with plantar fasciitis. Tried different things then used the sports version of pro II insoles and within two weeks the relief I had was unbelievable. I still use the insoles in everything I wear and I highly recommend them. (Blue versions are more sturdier for sports and they are the ones I needed initially )
There is private healthcare in the UK. BUPA comes to mind, but big businesses often offer private healthcare plans. The NHS actually buy from private healthcare to supplement short falls when demand is high, or specialist care not available under the NHS directly...
I've been travelling to the UK for 31 years, and have always just paid privately in the past. This is our first time trying to use the NHS. Ian has had a British passport since he was born, but just hasn't ever had an NHS Number until now.
You don’t need insurance for private treatment, you can be self funding, If you watch a recent video Dara made she describes how this process was used for non nhs procedures.
I am British and naturalised American, retied in the UK with my American wife, so I know both systems. I just want to note that there is also private healthcare in the UK, where you can get more immediate and perhaps more advanced care when you need it, while for everything else there is the NHS. I went this way for a knee meniscus tear earlier this year.
I hope your knee is OK now! I did a separate video comparing US vs. UK doctor visits for private care. That is the only type of medical care I've had in Britain. That video is a lot better than this one... even though this one got all the views! haha
You mentioned how much you spent to cure your Plantar Fasciitis. I filled a plastic bottle with water and froze it. I then rolled my foot over it every day for about half an hour. I also exercised rolling my foot over a small ball. It took a few weeks but it worked and its not been back since
There are varying degrees of PF. Ian's is super bad. He did the frozen water bottle thing along with 27 other treatments... 9 years later he is somewhat better but not fully cured.
The NHS is amazing, they are their when you need them. I was told up to 6 months for a day surgery, that was 2 weeks ago but I go in next Saturday. So 3 weeks.
I had damaged tendons in my lower arm (Tennis Elbow). I was given a series of exercises to do. It took about 9 months to heal. Mine coincided with a certain antibiotic that is known to effect tendons. Stopped the antibiotics, and it healed up within 9 months.
Most important thing is to do stretches regularly (every hour if possible). Massage the muscles in forearm to try and loosen them up. I could give you details of what is happening in the elbow but the doctor has probably already done that. Good luck
I didn't find the video boring at all. I found it very interesting. (I turned off the cricket to watch it). I suspect the quality of treatment depends on where in the UK you live. For instance, I've always had excellent treatment from my GP practice. To be honest I find them to be a little too good. 😁😁 When I had a frozen shoulder they suggested physiotherapy. I asked if there was another way to treat it and they said it would clear itself up over time. Guess which option I chose? One of the doctors in the practice carried out a minor operation on me at the surgery. I wonder if that would happen in the US? We have excellent hospitals too. Some of the top ones in the country. On Sheppey you have to travel 50+ miles to get to a hospital specialising in cancer. The Royal Marsden is great. They operated on my mother and saved her life. She lived till 92.
Yes, I have heard excellent things about the hospitals here... Cheltenham has a fantastic one. It's an ugly building, but apparently a great hospital! As for the video... it's definitely a dumb one. Ian hates when I do videos like this. But at least it was only 5 minutes you had to miss of cricket... and with as slow as cricket is, that means you probably didn't miss much! LOL
@@MagentaOtterTravels Slow? They've invented a new format that lasts for just 90 minutes. 😝 I much prefer the 5 day game. 🏏 (It just so happened that they were having a break just as I started watching). 😂
What?! I didn't know you could get acupuncture through the NHS! We are going to try it next week paying cash... but in the future we will remember that as an option. Thanks so much!
Hey Ian, I used to suffer terribly from Tennis elbow. I went to see a physiotherapist who used ultrasound, massaging and acupuncture, sorted me out in no time. The acupuncture was particularly good.
I'm forcing Ian to go to a chiropractor and acupuncturist this week. I won't do a video about it, but I'll try to reply here and let you know if it helps! Cheers! Dara
Where does that Physiotherapist practice? He sounds the business…physio i think is the way forward…in my humble opinion.. Will you have to Strongarm Ian across the threshold of the establishment ? If you do make sure you do not restrict his breathing.. Texas needs him..
@@MagentaOtterTravels Acupuncture I get. I can understand how it works. I'm a bit more sceptical about chiropractors. If Ian does decide to see one make sure they're registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). My first port of call is always the NHS site to see what they advise.
tennis elbow, can very well be an inflamed overuse of that joint. But when it doesn't subside with a period of inactivity, it more often than not is a signal that there is general inflamation within your body. I strongly suggest looking at those markers.
I have been really impressed with the focus on preventative care and all the screening tests (like mammograms) that are offered for free. Thanks for the well wishes!
A friend of mine had a breast removed many years ago,both her mother and grandmother died of breast cance Her two daughters have regular checks. Also their daughters, will also be aware, and follow suit. Three generations looked after.Gid bless the NHS.
I have had plantar fasciitis a few times. Exercises, soft shoes (slippers) and if wearing hard shoes use shoe inserts sorted it out. I agree with Ian, avoid doctors at all costs until you really can't.
hope Ian gets his elbow sorted as much as i dislike aspects of our health care the fact that anyone who needs treatment will be seen no bill at the end is stunning ...no wonder alot come here for free treatment
🌍🌄🌎 I'm not proud of much in England but the NHS is something to be proud of, I live in Spain and fortunately they have a universal healthcare as well, much respect to the doctors, nurses, cleaners etc. Etc. ...💚💛❤
That's fair enough I suppose if you still have coverage in the US. You may wait a some time to see a specialist after a GP's referral in the UK. A patient asking to be prescribed a particular treatment, especially medication, may not sit well with many GPs.
Yes, I was good and kept my mouth shut in the doctor appointment... I didn't recommend any treatment ;-) Although I did talk Ian into trying a visit next week with my chiropractor here in Cheltenham. Chiropractic and acupuncture can be very effective on tennis elbow. It's worth trying! It worked on my tennis elbow 17 years ago ;-)
There's some research that Tennis Elbow is a psychosomatic syndrome but there is still argument whether mental distress is a cause or symptom. The symptoms can also be caused by other arm shoulder damage. No advice helped me for plantar fascilitis but i bought ankle socks for it with very tight elasticated arch support and it was fixed within a short time.
Yep, those socks were one of the 27 remedies for PF that Ian has tried over the past 9 years of having the condition. Only rest, stretching, not walking barefoot, and TIME has helped to finally make the problem less bad. Hoping he gets over the tennis elbow sooner. I've heard similar things about backache... some of that is psychosomatic/mental stress related.
@@MagentaOtterTravels It was a consistent theory that back ache was partly psychosomatic too and possibly persists but a study was done of a large number of complainants that regularly claimed sick time due to their bad backs. In the study the subjects were subjected to detailed scans and infra red heat detection. In nearly all cases there were problems found.
The NHS is beyond compare. Anywhere in the world. It has 2 major problems. Firstly. The fact that it is being run by money men & not medical personnel. And secondly. The fact that it is now the international health service. People coming here from all over the world just for the free medical care. And we're not talking about people just from the poorer countries. It's mostly people from countries like America. Why pay 30,000 plus to have a baby. $40 just for the privilege of skin on skin contact with your baby. Surely it makes more sense to hop over to the good ol' UK & have a nice relaxing break with the father. Even with the cost of flights & accommodation it's well worth it financially. I know a couple who from New York who have actually done this. Peace out.
Wow! I have heard of people taking medical vacations to central or South America to get cosmetic surgery or dental work, but I didn't know people were taking maternity vacations to Britain! That's crazy
Hi Dara, It is very fascinating concept. I often hear medical expense is very high. So wasn't he charged anything for a doctor's visit at all? Of course, as long as premium, a person receive the best care in th US. Here is my question. I discuss about shingle shot with the UK ppl. we, Americans usually receive immunization shots for free, I recall. But There is a cost for shingle shots in the UK. Is that true? Thank you for educating me. Fabulous content and clear message.
Hi Yumi, good to hear from you! That is a very good question about shingles shots! I have had both of mine in the US, so I didn't even think about getting it here. They are very expensive in the states, but I don't know the cost here. Typically if you go see a doctor at the NHS you don't pay for the office visit at all. Obviously, British taxpayers pay a lot of money for the NHS service to be provided to everyone. But the national health service as a group is able to negotiate costs of medical procedures and pharmaceutical medications down to more reasonable levels, which is a good thing! That's how the system works differently than the US.
Covid immunizations have been free in the US but otherwise they seem to be very expensive. I paid $450 for the two doses of the shingles immunization and that was with US insurance (which was useless).
You become eligible for shingles vaccine on the NHS programme (ie free at the point of use/need - if you are eligible for NHS services, which is almost all people who are legal residents of the UK) depending on your age and your current medical history. The age eligibility was previously 70 but currently reducing to 65, and for those over 50 who are immunocompromised. You can pay for it privately if you wish, and/or if you are not otherwise eligible, but you must be 50 or over. Neither of the two vaccines available are cheap if you are paying for it yourself. Hope that helps.
On the arm that has tennis elbow. With your thumb find the bone below the heel just where the arm reaches your hand. now press with your thumb on the bone and move slowly towards your arm. You should feel a sharp pain run your thumb on this spot. The pain will go away after a couple of sessions and so will your elbow pain. Mine was golf elbow and i couldn't lift a glass with my left arm and it had stopped me playing golf that was some 32 years ago and i havent had the pain since.
Very often senior doctors, consultants and specialists in UK work in both the NHS and the private system... So you could pay for private care and see the same specialist as you would in NHS, just maybe a bit quicker.
I had that foot problem years ago, saw the doctor who didn't really have any treatment for it. He suggested that i only buy footwear that has arch support. I ditched any that i had without and only wore those with support, from then on. Haven't had any trouble since.
Ian, damp heat (microwave neck warmer) or hot water bottle wrapped in a damp towel for tennis elbow or housemaids knee. Damp heat goes in further than dry.
I suffered from severe Tennis-Elbow about 25 years ago in the UK, and the NHS gave me a series of about 4 steroid injections into the joint within 2 years which cured the problem completely. Only one injection is seldom enough.
As a UK resident, I was astonished recently to learn that US citizens have to pay for their ambulances to take them to the nearest medical facility. Wow.
As most people have pointed out, the NHS is absolutely superb for major issues, accident, major illness, et cetera. For minor issues which are not life-threatening but are just annoying you can wait a long time. However, my local GP surgery has recently appointed a physiotherapist which you can see free of charge for things like tennis elbow, he's absolutely brilliant. Previously when I had tennis elbow I paid to see a private physiotherapist rather than wait for the NHS. Now I won't have to do so, if the tennis elbow re-occurs.
Yes physiotherapy can be so helpful for most joint injuries. I'm glad that you have a good one in your area! I've had both really good and really bad experiences with them... really depends on the person 😉. Ian got treatment from an excellent chiropractor in England, and with some chiropractic, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and rest he is doing much better now 👍
The treatment for tennis elbow is a simple strap around the arm, just below the elbow, which can be bought at a chemist for ten pounds or so. Pain relief is immediate
I’m a self employed landscaper, so can’t afford to be out of commission, I was a bit skeptical when it was suggested I try one of those, but the pain relief was instant and it allowed me to keep working without discomfort or aggravating my elbow any further. I think over the course of 25 years or so I’ve needed to use one three or four times? Usually for less than a week. And you know other people who swear by them too. It’s strange that you can get straight back to work without pain and still heal, but it works. It’s not magic, it obviously just redirects the stress off the point that is hurting - and I haven’t had to use it for years
Don't forget your annual covid and flu shots every autumn (but you'll probably be in the USA by then), your annual NHS Health Check for anyone over 40 years old, your annual blood pressure review, your bi-annual bowel cancer test for anyone over 54. The abdominal aortic aneurysm test for all men aged 65. There are probably more tests available for women. As you both have NHS numbers, there is no cost involved.
@@Waspy50 interesting. I have never heard of an abdominal aortic aneurysm test before! I do my annual physical and mammogram and bone density scans here in Texas. As well as Covid and flu shots. But it's nice to know that I can get emergency care in Britain if I need it 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels I forgot to add the Pneumococcal vaccine, this is available to anyone over 65 (a few years away for you guys :). This protects against Meningitis, Sepsis and Pneumonia.
I arrived at the NHS hospital in Brighton England with no heartbeat, a paramedic doing CPR to keep me alive! I was rushed directly to surgery and had a cardiac pacemaker fitted. I am fine now and very grateful to the paramedic and hospital staff. Pacemakers only last a few years so I had to have it replaced. At this point I had private medical insurance with my job, sound familiar USA? I got to see the cost of a pacemaker implant. £6000, (six thousand pounds) for the pacemaker, then the surgery, surgeon, anaesthetist and drugs were all additional costs. Just shy of £10,000. (Ten grand!) I paid an excess fee of £250 to CIGNA the insurance company. UK folks, don't ever let your NHS be changed to an insurance based system.
The NHS WILL have to be changed with insurance policies because it cannot survive the way the way it is financed.The British public take it for granted,and don't deserve the NHS because they take it for granted,and have no idea how much treatment costs!
Happy to see that the doctor was reasonable and did not want to start a treatment at any cost. So let's hope when you are back in Texas he will find some treatment that will work! 👍
I'm going to try some other alternative therapies this week... chiropractic, acupuncture, and KT Tape. In addition to the massage, ibuprofen gel and icing... I'm hope it helps in the meantime before we return to Texas.
I daren’t think how much my medical bills would be without NHS. Appendicitis, two broken bones, surgery on hand and eye, mental health care when in crisis. Three children taken good care of and 5 grandchildren. Too many Brits take the NHS for granted but I think it’s great as are the people that work in it.
I'm a GP (in Gloucestershire) and do inject Tennis Elbow with steroid occasionally myself. There's not a great deal that can be done more actively that has an actual evidence base, and surgery is rarely advised. The most evidence based approach is physio and rest, but that's not real life though.
Ian did a lot of rest, and some physio, along with some chiropractic and acupuncture! It's doing much better now. Thanks for commenting. Always nice to hear from someone else in Gloucestershire! Cheers! Dara
NO you cant. You can get tennis or golfers elbow by where your hand joins your wrist If you follow your little finger to wrist if you press the heal of your hand you will feel the bone with your other hand feel that bone with your thumb. Let the ball of your thumb press down on the bone and let it rub the bone over and round it it for a couple of minutes You may feel a sharp pain rub till that subsides if your lucky the pain in your elbow will be gone if not do it the next day just a couple of minutes is all that is required. I had it in my forties i am in my late nineties now and i haven't had it since that day. There is a name for doing it but that has long been forgotten and a Doctor would not tell you this probably give you a painful injection in the joint of your elbow. It could be RECHI
Thank you for that recommendation. I've been fortunate in that resting the affected limb has done wonders but if it comes back I'll revisit this. I definitely won't be doing any steroid injections. I think that is only a temporary solution at best.
It is obvious from any visit to an NHS hospital that decades of underfunding (thank you Tories) is having a dreadful effect on staffing and subsequent treatment.
The miracle that happened in this video, is that Ian was willing to see a doctor! 😂 After everything he had told me a couple of weeks ago, I was not sure he really would go to visit one.
Plantar Fascitis. Try stretching your calf muscles (both legs) 3 times a day (morning, noon, evening) for 20 seconds at a time using the bottom stair of the stairs, holding onto the bannister. You'll notice a difference within a couple of days and it should be cured within 2 weeks.
First of all, I find your username to be quite amusing! I'm sure there's a story behind that! Thank you for the suggestion. Ian has been doing that since 2014. He has a pretty bad chronic case! Thankfully it is somewhat better now after nine years. He's at least able to do some hiking. Several years ago he couldn't walk around the block...
@@MagentaOtterTravels I found walking downhill causes it on it's own so one must counteract it by walking uphill as much if not more. It's a bit like training just your biceps without training your triceps.
I have plantar fasciitis and was under an Orthopaedic specialist and had physio and inserts for shoes - being a Nurse my self couldnt avoid being on my feet all day! But despite also having Mortons neuromas and arthritis I still nursed- the plantar fasciitis has more or less resolved with the help of physio and nature and many injections 🏴
I'm glad that you were able to manage the PF pain and continue with your profession. We have often thought about how hard it would be to have chronic PF when your job required being on your feet all day...
Not on my feet nearly as much as a Nurse, but I didn’t bother going to the Doctor for what I could tell was likely PF pain. I did the stretching exercises recommended, dropping heels down whilst standing on a step and rolling my foot over an iced water bottle etc. I also bought some inexpensive orthotics from Amazon for my slippers at home and some partial foot compression socks which really helped. It went and luckily hasn’t come back in 2 or 3 years.
@@nicolad8822 yes, nine years later Ian is still doing those stretches on the stairs every day! He hasn't had to do the ice bottle in a while though, thank goodness!
It's a motto I honestly try to live by! When I started my channel almost 4 years ago, I tried to think of some sign off that I would be willing to say on every video. I couldn't think of anything that would be better. I'm trying to stay optimistic in a very challenging world 🌎💖. Cheers! Dara
That's the problem with USA doctors, it's in their interest to give you medicine and operations as its a business where as in the UK its what will work best, not what they can sell you on
Totally agree with the life and death help here in England. GPs are not so helpful if it’s an ailment, I’ve had a couple say to me “what do you want from me” 😂😊 Hope Ian’s elbow improves ❤
@@MagentaOtterTravels It's a series of 4 or 5 shots. I didn't think it worked, so I canceled the rest of the series. It worked, but took 3-4 weeks. I had had the pain for about 8 months when I finally had it done. I'm still good, and never went back for more injections.
I got my tennis elbow digging my big garden plot over in a new house we moved into ,finally I went the doctors all could offer was pain killers and cortisone injections which he added could be painful , I decided to go without both and live with it , it took about 2 years to settle down ,but it never really goes away ,sometimes if I overwork the arm it raises it ugly head 😢
Ugh! That's not good to hear. Sounds like my wrist. It gets better when I rest it, but then when I get confident and try push ups or burpees again... the pain comes back! The joys of navigating how to not injure ourselves as we age... LOL
I assume Ian has tried shoe inserts for his plantar fascilitis (also called Policeman's foot!). I got some from Boots Chemist wore them for about two years and I haven't had it since. Just wondering if an operation was necessary.
@@lulusbackintown1478 he actually tried 37 different types of treatment! Definitely shoe inserts (orthotics) were an important one, and something he still does. And yes, he even did an expensive surgery. But it didn't help at all!😩
I was waiting in the Mt Sanai Hospital in San Francisco. 3 screens to help me how to sue the doctor ( who I hadn’t seen yet). Each screen was for a different set of lawyers. About 6 for each screen. Each doctor must have been insured to his/ her eyeballs!
Oh yes, the medical malpractice insurance that the doctors have to pay for is crazy expensive! Almost as expensive as what we have to pay for doctor appointments and prescription meds!!
Wills had tennis elbow - he finally got it cured at a Chinese acupuncturist is soho London! It took two treatments and it was done. Glad you had a kind of positive experience! Cheers 🍻
About your painter. Trying to find reliable trades people in this counter is like finding a Unicorn in your garden. All the the good ones never need to advertise their service and if there available you will have to wait. Only way is to get recommendation from someone you trust. The NHS is still a nation treasure.
I have a fantastic doctors surgery, who I cannot fault. I was referred recently for an operation which could have left me on a waiting list for many months of not years at this point. Thankfully I have healthcare through my husband’s employer and so was operated on within weeks. Healthcare does have its advantages. This is in England.
Yes, I really think it is optimal to be able to use the NHS in most situations, but also be able to go private when needed. I'm glad you received the care you needed promptly!
I have been playing rugby 30 years now, and though I have never had cortisone shots, I can say that the people I know that have didn’t get much relief from them. They also generally suffered more in later years as a result.
Yes, I discussed that in my prior video about "Doctor Appointments" if you'd like to check that out. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment! Cheers, Dara
Bearing in mind the Tories have spent the last 15 years undermining the NHS with staffing and financial cuts, and the impact on the bigots in the UK who forced the huge numbers of Europeans out of the country and left the NHS understaffed. It's been a terrible period for British Medicine.
I've had a couple of shoulder injuries, bursitis I think, and the only thing that fixes them is time. 2 years sometimes. Did physio to no effect. Was offered steroid injections but apparently that only offers limited temporary relief. The human body can come up with some really weird pains. 😂 I had a hernia operation this year and after 3 months there is still some lingering pain. Apparently they put in a stitch almost on a bone in the pelvis to hold a mesh in place and that can pinch. The doc said see if it settles down in a few months and if it hasn't we'll do a MRI. They even snipped a nerve to stop chronic pain going forward. As I said the human body is weird. If it can find a way to hurt you it will. 😂 Speaking of cancer I read once that France has one of the highest rates of survival. But when I looked at the stats in seems good ol' Oz is number one - significantly higher than no. 2 NZ, third Ireland and 4th is the US, followed by a bunch of European countries. The UK lags in around 10th. I hope Ian isn't in too much pain.
Sorry to hear you are still having pain 3 months post op! Yes, weird pains are one of the joys of ageing... I had shoulder bursitis as well... and exercises helped a bit, but mostly yes... just TIME! Ian is not in too much pain. He would be better off if we weren't constantly doing manual labour getting the flat ready to rent out!!
I had a steroid injection for tennis elbow years ago. It was very painful for about 24 hours afterwards, and the benefit did not last long. Hope Ian finds a solution, the main one is to stop doing whatever it was that caused it in the first place. Unfortunately that is often a lot easier said than done, causes are not necessarily easy to see, or to avoid.
Pullups/chinups caused the problem, but typing on a keyboard and just living (driving, moving furniture, hauling trash to the dump, home repairs) keep it hurting. We are going to be trying some new treatments the next few weeks... I'm determined to help him conquer this!
@@MagentaOtterTravels . That's the problem, there are so many things which can exacerbate it. I used to fly fish, which would seem to be the cause, but the kicker turned out to be using the computer mouse.
@@grahvis yes, I learned the hard way how important it is to have a good ergonomic set up when using the computer. Both the mouse and keyboard can really hurt your elbow if you are sitting at the wrong angle. Ian does not have a good set up here like he does back in Texas. I only just got a proper desk and an office chair setup here in England a few days ago.
WOW !!!! You got an appointment ! We have learned that the best way to use the NHS is not to use it if possible. So, for example, to avoid tennis elbow I don't play tennis.
Hi Dara, it’s me again, totally disagree, whatever treatment you have when you pay there’s always an improvement but usually it’s to the doctors bank balance. The success rate of a cortisone injection is 70% which is good odds. But as you said it’s Ian’s elbow. One thing Ian could try to alleviate the pain/ discomfort and it works, I used one prior to my injection and it’s available at most chemists is a Velcro strap for tennis or golfer’s elbow. As an experiment get him to tightly grip his bad arm two inches below his elbow using his other hand, then clench his hand into a fist on his bad arm, he will feel the pressure will travel no further than where he’s gripping his arm not to his elbow thus alleviating the pain. If you watch golf on television you will see the golfers wearing one sometimes as it’s brought on by repetitive movement. DO NOT SLEEP WEARING IT as we all swell in the night and it can be dangerous. You adjust the tension to suit on the strap, not too tight. I will be most interested to know if he tries it, it does work.👍.
There are only so many cortisone injections you can have before they start doing more harm than good. England bowler Steven Finn was told they wouldn't give him any more as they could cause permanent damage.
Thanks for your comment, John! We are going to keep doing the massage and Voltarol and icing... and also try chiropractic and acupuncture this week. And I also brought some KT tape from the states, so I want to try that as well... should be similar to the velcro strap. Cheers! Dara
You were lucky that your doctor's appointment was on time. At my doctor's surgery they are always at lest 20 minutes late. It doesn't help when their first appointments start at 8:30 am, but don't let you into the waiting room until 8:30 am
Usually appointments first thing in the morning are more on time. I hate going to a doctors appointment at 2PM and they're already running an hour late...
I’ve had tennis elbow from badminton, it’s seriously painful. I went to a sports injury clinic and they gave me exercises to do and said avoid cortisone injections if you can as they cause scarring on the tendon ends.
Ian got his from doing pullups! And typing on the computer keyboard. But it's getting better now with rest and stretching and chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara
Good to 5:49 know Ian? had a good if not perfect appointment. The NHS may not be perfect but if it's used correctly it is great. The doctor would be very wary of giving a treatment because you were on your way back home. Steroids injections are normally given as a course to work correctly.. I've just had one in my knee, perhaps the most painful thing l've experienced. Imagine pushing molasses through a needle. My Dr said it could be a football injury came as a shock never played football but rugby. He says the body has a memory and reminds you of your youth later. That means my body has a better memory than me l only played for a few games can't remember any tries or even running. My uncle Buddy on a visit from NY in the eighties had a heart attack. He was taken to the local hospital and had a pacemaker fitted. He told the staff he had insurance when he left he asked how much he owed them. The staff said you will get a bill, never did he tried to pay over the year's but to no avail. He arrived back in NY was told by his Dr here to have a check up after the long flight. His Dr said we will replace it now your home he asked why.? $45000 he said, no thanks and it lasted him another 10 year's, he got his wish came her and went private for a replacement he was 87 when he died. Hope you get your paint on the walls Ian can't do it, not with tennis elbow.
OK, that was a funny joke about your body remembering your youth better than your brain! haha That is an amazing story about your Uncle Buddy! Thankfully we found a NEW painting company, here in Cheltenham, and they were GREAT! I'm now sitting in the room that is painted, carpeted, and all put together. Yay!
You can go private in the UK.....A lot of the time you are paying to see the same consultant you saw at the hospital. This has happened twice to my cousin.
So interesting! I didn't know that until I published this video and several people commented. We will always try NHS first but if we have to wait a long time for a follow up specialist appointment... we may go private. Great private hospital in Cheltenham 👍. I talk about that in the Doctor Appointment video. Here's the link if you missed it: ruclips.net/video/siutTIM3x6c/видео.htmlsi=WaR5tNGps3S7rw5r
The NHS saved my life last Tuesday. I was wheeled from ambulance into the theatre. About 7 gowned figures introduced themselves and I was prepped on the table wearing a mask; one signature and I went from dying to rescued in a couple of hours. I’m gutted for the one whose operation was cancelled at the last minute; the NHS came up trumps.
WHAT?! That is so scary! I'm really glad to hear that you had such a positive outcome. Bless those NHS workers from the ambulance team to the surgeons and assistants... they did exactly what needed to be done! Hopefully the operation that was moved was just for a knee replacement or something that could wait a bit.
I've read that the USA don't have a good record with outcomes. Your Maternity is on a par with Pakistan.
@@iriscollins7583 To me that sounds like an insult to Pakistan!
I've had exactly the same experience 3 times now. The first when I was 37, not overweight and thought I was in peak health/fitness, until for about 5 weeks I just couldn't stop coughing. Long story short it got so bad I could hardly breath so I rang 999 at 10.30pm after suffering all day, within 10 mins the ambulance was there and I had no clue what was wrong with me. The female paramedic (in fact they were both female) asked me if id had pains in my neck or shoulder, and yeah, I had for weeks. They then immediately put me in a chair, and I'm 3 stories up, but these two ladies wouldn't let me take another step and they carried me down the twisting super awkward stairs. They then gave me a 500ml aspirin, never once telling me their suspicions which by then they must have known. I did an ECG in the ambulance, then they hit the siren joking with me how they only do that when its bad traffic and they have a break coming up (lie lol) and all the way there they were talking to me about mundane things having a joke, anything to take my mind off any stress. When we got to the hospital I was immediately rushed into the resuss room, a bunch of doctors and nurses swarmed round me, did some medical speech which was like a foreign language then a doctor came over and said 'hi Darren, first off, don't be alarmed by what I'm gonna tell you but you're having a heart attack ok, but don't worry cause it's very easy to treat and you're young and otherwise healthy so I have no concerns at all. After the initial shock of "I am having a heart attack wtf" I was then taken for xrays, which they even do while you're in one of their portable bads, some blood tests, I waited around half an hour and I was then taken into theatre. There they put a long stent in my artery and when I woke up I already felt 1000x better..by morning I felt as though I'd had nothing at all wrong with me. Since then every 3 months I see my cardiologist to discuss any issues or to tweet my meds. I had a second heart attack I'm January 2021 and same experience again. Only they also discovered I had a congenital heart defect so I now i also have an implanted defibrillator, which is ironic as it comes from Boston. With this I can also download the info it had gathered each week then email this data off via like a box they give you that sends the data to the hospital 15 miles away and if they see anything on it they regard as dangerous they will ring me straight away. Apart from all other treatments I've had on the NHS. Broken legs, wrists and umpteen different things beyond the scope of this text. But my experience of the NHS, after what I'd consider a wide experience of the service is first class. I wouldn't be alive without it. What better testiment is there than that
And you still have your house and your shirt.
Dunno how anyone can afford private healthcare. Thank god for the NHS. I hope it doesn’t get dismantled because we don’t want the crappy American system here.
I agree.
Fortunately no one is advocating introducing the American system here.
@@rplea I’m sorry to tell you - but England NHS is now delivered by 42 U.S American Style Accountable Care Organisations, called Integated Care Systems. These organisations use the same risk-reward sharing arrangements, dangerous discharging practices and American utilisation management processes. Americas largest healthcare insurer UnitedHealth Group is already in many of these ICS risk stratifying and segmenting the ICS population, and even vetting people’s referrals to secondary care. The Centene Corporation is Englands largest single provider of primary care, although they are now withdrawing from the Englands ICS NHS
We must demand the original Beveridge NHS.
#RenationaliseNHS
#NHS_NOT_ICS
Easy,you get an insurance policy
If you have the money!
God forbid that the Tories win the next election because that will be the end of the NHS
The NHS may have longer waiting lists for non urgent care but when push comes to shove if it is urgent like cancer, heart attack, or something broken they get you in quickly.
That certainly seems to be what we've observed with our family and close friends here in the UK.
I can attest to that. When I needed a nephrectomy there was no waiting around...
And if you're wondering what a "nephrectomy" might be, I would suggest you do NOT look it up on Google 😐
@@NuclearFridge1 I know what that is and I hope you are ok now.
Absolutely! My grandad had a severe stroke back in 2015 completely out of the blue (no risk factors apart from age). Luckily the person he was with recognised the signs and called an ambulance which rushed him off to the nearest hospital. The hospital gave him some emergency medication and confirmed the stroke but realised how severe it was so immediately sent him off in another ambulance to a specialist hospital.
The specialists gave him a cutting edge treatment which few people in the world had received at that point - this not only saved his life, but also improved his chances of recovery.
He spent some time in hospital including physio and occupational therapy, which carried on after he went home. He also had a home help for a while.
He recovered well and now you would struggle to notice that he'd even had a stroke if you didn't already know.
None of this exemplary care cost him a penny out of pocket nor were there any admin hoops to jump through or non-medical people to convince - the same goes for his cancer treatment a few years earlier or his recent pacemaker or the various medical procedures other family members have needed over the years.
I love the NHS and hope that it never goes away. It's hard to fathom that the NHS was only formed when my grandad was 11, as it just seems like such a logical way to do healthcare.
Always interesting to see how different places operate, the NHS is something that is very important to Brits, and rightly so!
Yes, the comparisons are very interesting. Just like I think that it's interesting Aussies have Medicare for everyone, and in the states it's only for people age 65+
The best NHS system in the world, and the best health care system in the world is the French one. They do everything Churchill the father of the NHS wanted, Bevan cocked it up here as do Labour every time they get into power.
Like the Tory government : Privatisation is coming @@thetruthhurts7675
Why
I took a 70 year old who was away from home on holiday to A&E (Accident and emergency) yesterday who was feeling very unwell and anxious, it was after hours for an NHS GP (general practitioner/family doctor) appointment, so this what we were advised to do. I was fully expecting the hospital facility to be very busy and there to be long waits.
After 30 minutes, he was called into the treatment area by a junior doctor, who after an assessment, asked him to wait for a specialist to have a look. So he waited another 30 minutes, had an examination and was immediately given medicines and advice how to treat the condition, with instructions to see a GP if things were still bad the following day. After a good night's sleep, he was a lot better. Everybody at the hospital was polite, efficient and professional. The facility was clean and modern with a relaxing decor. I was very impressed by it.
There's an expectation that waiting times are just down to how busy a place is. These units will tend to 'triage' by treating people in order of seriousness or allowing lesser skilled staff to deal with low hanging fruit that can be dealt with quickly. It means some people will wait a very long time because they could potentially keep getting bounced to bottom of the list as more serious cases come in and doctors will also spend their time bearing in mind dependencies on other units like MRI or Xray or availability of specialists. Waiting 'in turn' is what we are used to and it can be frustrating if you dont realise that's not the way it works. In my cases they have always got priorities as right as they can but i have seen people treated as drunks when they seemed actually concussed and badly bleeding and not treat as urgent as they should.
@@Lucieyk do you mean that you had a cut on your head or do you mean that you fractured your skull. Two very different scenarios.
Wow I’m impressed! In North Wales you often sit in A and E for 20-24 hrs. Ambulance waits vary from 2- 16 hrs.
If it’s an emergency there is no waiting, my brother was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis at 14. When he first showed symptoms my parent took him to our local hospital, they had to rule certain things out stomach bug etc but he was watched closely as the suspected UC and had him in every other day for fluids. From first symptom to diagnosis was 3 weeks. Transferred to Royal London and the next year he spent so much time in hospital as they tried to control the condition, but all treatments failed. A year later he had surgery to remove his colon and stoma bag fitted.
He has his life back and is thriving. Still under the hospital and always will be. Even after losing 16 months at school he still passed his GCSEs with Grade 4s + and moved on to his A’Levels with his friends.
He now hopes to go to the US to study if he can get a scholarship.
Just nice he has dreams again and it’s all thanks to the wonderful NHS.
I had my one and only NHS hospital stay back in March this year, which saved my life.
I had a stomach ache on the Saturday, it was worse on the Sunday, phoned NHS 111 helpline and they told me to get to the walk-in centre ASAP (they booked an emergency appointment for me). The doctor at the centre examined me and booked me in to the local hospital ("You look like you have appendicitis, go there now!"). I went straight there and was admitted that evening. Early next morning I had the operation, where they removed a partially burst appendix. I was kept in for two days on antibiotics and was well enough to go home on the Wednesday. Thank you NHS.
I'm so glad to hear you received the care you needed and are doing OK now!
@@MagentaOtterTravelsI think You're Starting to learn, Most Healthcare systems around the World, it's about preventing a Life OR Death situation. Even here in Canada there's no Cost for minor operations. There is some long wait times for specific operations, for broken Arms/ Legs it's usually the same day with maybe an overnight stay, with NO cost. Personally, I've had a Heart operation 10 years ago, I was in the Hospital for Two and a half weeks, to This Day, I still Don't Know the Totally cost. In the States it'd Cost me OVER $15 000 For that Whole time/ operation.
@@andynieuwenhuis7833 oh yes, a heart operation would be so expensive in the states! I'm glad you received good care without going bankrupt 😉
In the USA you'd have had to sell your house to pay the bills !
I've been nearly pulling my hair out with frustration at some aspects of the NHS, but have found it faultless with regard to anything urgent. And it's always there, no matter who you are or what your situation is, it's always there. Which is good.
Healthcare is usually frustrating... especially as we age and have greater need for it! But it's nice when you find a doctor you can see consistently. And when your medical bills don't bankrupt you.
I love the NHS so much they saved my brothers life with 17 years of ops and i have had 4 life saving ops and spent months and months in hospitals. Iv had loads of time in HDU and intensive care the staff are wonderful.
Bless those folks who work for the NHS and save lives every day. I'm glad to know that you and your family have benefited from their service!
I'm happy to know the NHS will be there for you to.@@MagentaOtterTravels
I agree with Ian only see doctors for the big stuff. I'm 74 and hadn't seen a doctor for 14 years until I developed a horrible viral lung infection. When I decided I needed to see a doctor I phoned my surgery and saw a doctor the same day. I was prescribed a medicine which cured the lung infection but after two weeks I was still breathless and went back to the doctors. I was promptly given tests, x-rays and told I had developed late onset asthma probably due to the infection. I was prescribed inhalers and my care is now in the hands of a specialist respiratory nurse, just last week I was called back in to check how I was getting on and that I was using the inhalers correctly and to help with any questions I may have. I really can't fault the care I received and feel well looked after.
I'm very happy to hear that you've been well cared for! Thanks for your comment, John. Cheers! Dara
At least the doctor was upfront about Ian's choice of treatment. I'd have been slightly worried if he'd sent you home with a recipe for a poultice... ear of bat, eye of newt etc. As for tradesmen: if you find a good one, hang on to them like they were made of gold.
Re ear of bat: Is this something you’ve experienced ? You have a very low bar !
Medical care in UK will always be honest with you, you will not pay out unnecessarily. Tennis elbow gets better on its own I think. How do you know, if you pay, that the work you are having is always needed. I am not impressed with you wanting work just because it's free.
Oh yes, and glad he didn't recommend bleeding with leeches!!!
I was being a bit tongue in cheek... please don't take that seriously.
@@MagentaOtterTravels It's funny that you should say that, but apparently the use of leeches (medical ones) is making a limited come back in some situations. And more than that - and I don't want to put you off your breakfast - the use of maggots as well. In some applications where there is a wound that is not healing properly because of dead tissue, they've (the medics) used maggots placed on the wound to eat the dead flesh leaving clean tissue that heals better.
That must have been a very comforting result- not needing drastic intervention prior to leaving the Uk. Down to earth doctor and open and honest about what the NHS can offer patients. Take care of the elbow Ian and safe travels home in a few weeks. 🙏🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿🌺
Thanks Anita!💖
Thank you Anita!
I’ve had frozen shoulder in both my shoulders (here in the U.K.) and my GP has given me two free steroid jabs and they both worked beautifully and that was years ago…..😃🧡💚
That's always nice to hear when something is effective and lasts for years!
We do have private health care in the Uk, it varies in cost and is usually a monthly subscription. It usually means access to treatment is a lot quicker than the NHS
@@chriscox4023 - I used to work in a physio clinic and so many people now have BUPA etc and use that to pay for treatment. On my last trip to my GP I even got asked if I had private medical insurance so I could get a minor op done quicker, which was quite shocking to be honest. God help the NHS! 😕
2 things have immensely helped my long term plantar fasciitis. First, I stumbled across Frank Ng’s foot strengthening exercises on his RUclips channel and secondly, wearing Hoka recovery sliders. I went from severe pain and not being able to walk far to being able to walk miles. These two things have made a huge difference to my PF.
We agree! Daily stretching and the very best shoes have made a world of difference!
If you want to, you can also pay privately here. The NHS has been promised to us from cradle to grave, and so glad you have had such a good experience. We now have private hospitals here -In my town there are two on the same site as our local NHS hospital. There are times NHS patients care is shipped to once of these. I think it is good to have choice. I hope Ian's tennis elbow gets better... tennis elbow pain is a nagging one.... All the best.
Thank you! He went to the chiropractor today and had some soft tissue work, an adjustment, and some acupuncture. We will see if that provides any pain relief! 🙏
If anything really serious Private will probably refer you to your NHS practitioner, they seem to skirt round the serious ailments.
This might not work for everyone, but years ago I had plantar fasciitis mostly from walking on hardwood and tile floors in my home. The podiatrist said, "Before you pay for expensive inserts or treatments, try wearing Crocs when you are in the house, instead of being in bare feet." Within a few days of wearing the Crocs faithfully, all the time indoors, the pain went away. I could not believe it. Even now, if I "cheat" and walk around in just socks or bare feet, that pain starts up again -- and the Crocs make it go away. I hope Ian can eventually get some pain relief, in whatever way works, for his elbow and feet!! 💪🦶😔
He has tried literally everything. Thankfully, over the nine years since he first started having the problem things have gotten much better. The thing that helped the most was rest. The second most effective remedy was time. But yes, neither of us ever ever ever ever walk around the house in bare feet! I have different foot problems and cannot walk on hard floors. This summer we both bought Oofos, which have been great for house shoes. Super cushiony and amazing arch support!
@@MagentaOtterTravels Danger, Will Robinson! Walking around the house with bare feet can be extremely hazardous! Back when I was 8yo a stood on a needle which embedder itself in the sole of my foot. It was sticking our like an arrow. 😲 My dad removed it with pliers. At least I think he did. There was only half a needle. Either it was already broken, or I've still got half a needle in my foot. 😁
I have a number if foot problems including peripheral neuropathy, I have had plantar in the past. My daughter recommended Crocs to me and I have worn them for over four years with no problems recurring. I wear them all the time now as I am housebound.
@@Poliss95this happened to me when a child but still always had bare feet both indoors and the garden, when walking by the seaside too. Now it's Crocs which give me some arch support
@@loopywren sorry to hear about the peripheral neuropathy! I have a brother and a cousin who suffer from it, and I know how painful and debilitating that can be!
My Plata fasciitis took about a year to resolve it was dealt with after a visit to my GP it required me massaging every morning for a few months
Yes, it really does require commitment to manage it. My husband has had it for nine years, and stretches every day. At least it's much better now than it used to be!
I had an injection for tennis elbow on the NHS about 10 years ago. It took about 10 minutes, involved only minor pain and the elbow has been fine ever since.
Wow, that is a great outcome!
Hello Dara& Ian. I hope your elbow gets better. Being a Brit (Welsh, actually), I have very little private health care experience. In the 50’s I had my Tonsils out at a private hospital dun by nun’s the only advantage was for my final meal (not as bad as it sounds) I was asked what I would like, it was chicken and chips, and I got it! Since then, I have only used the NHS, once 14 years ago for two one week stays in hospital for a gall blader problem, and a few times in the last few years because I have a kidney problem that’s probably due to my diabetes. The NHS has a reputation for really bad food. I was given a choice for each meal. Breakfast was cereals, toast & jam, lunch was a choice of various mains but there was always a cheese salad, baked potato with cheese and or baked beans and a choice of sandwiches. Evening meal was similar but with a soup, usually leek & potato or tomato with bread roll and butter and a desert of apple pie with custard, or ice cream, of cheesecake. I’m a picky/fussy eater and I fed well.
The kidney problem will never get better but I’m not on the transplant list. However, I am on 3 times a week dialysis, 4 hours a session. The NHS picks me up from home by passenger ambulance, delivers me to my local dialysis centre 3 miles away and home after dialysing. I expect that if all this was claimed off insurance, then they would have classed this as “pre-existing” and I’d be paying it myself. I’d be broke or having a painful short life! Enough of the gloom, the MHS is keeping me alive and as well as can be expected for a 70+ year old!
Tonsillectomies are coming back into fashion. They've discovered that for those who get tonsilitis repeatedly it's much safer to have them out.
@@Poliss95 Hello, thanks for your reply. In the late 50’s even though the NHS was well up and running I had just started school and was missing days with tonsillitis. The waiting list was too long so my parents just paid for private treatment. A few years later my younger brother had the same problem and he went private also.
Peter, can I just say how much I LOVE that you talked about food you got in the hospital stays. Even though it was so long ago! You crack me up. I'm exactly the same! And OF COURSE you had leek & potato soup on offer... it's WALES fergoodnessakes! LOL
I'm so glad to hear that the NHS is keeping you alive and that the dialysis is working for you. It is AMAZING that the NHS transports you back and forth... I cannot see that happening in the US.
@@MagentaOtterTravels Our biggest seller was nutrition supplements for hospitals because the food was so bad.
The advantage of getting advanced procedures isn't necessarily an advantage. In the US, they often perform unnecessary procedures to make more money.
True. And I was probably wrong to want to push for a steroid injection :(
The person you want to make you better profits from your illness. 🤦
@@Trebor74 yeahhhhh... tricky that
According to NHS website, “Steroid injections are only likely to give short-term relief and their long-term effectiveness is poor.” for tennis-elbow, so your doctor was correct in suggesting to try other methods. Something to note about private healthcare in UK. They do not deal with life-threatening conditions, which would be handled by the NHS. As someone who has had private treatment in the UK, aside from fancier buildings and a shortened wait for operations, the treatment has been no better than what I have received on the NHS.
Very good to know! Thanks for sharing. Cheers! Dara
I have found admin in the private sector to be appalling. Husband was charged twice for one thing, and I swear I got a gap yah daughter of the Doctor’s friend answering his phone. My important interactions with the NHS have been very smooth by comparison.
A few years ago I had awful tennis elbow, my doctor recommended I buy an Epicondylitis Clasp, it is worn above the elbow and is just like a strap that attaches with Velcro. It didn’t cut off the blood supply or anything drastic like that but it certainly helped a lot. I purchased it from Amazon - it was a great, non-invasive treatment.
Thanks, Tracy! We might give that a go. Today Ian had his 2nd chiropractic adjustment to the elbow, and acupuncture needles, and KT tape. We are trying everything ;-) Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Just wondering did you have to pay anything for those procedures, and if not and it was covered by insurance were there any co-pays, or do you have an insurance monthly fee. We non Americans are totally baffled by your system with its endless layers, and bureaucratic non medical people making decisions.
I understand if this is asking for to much private information you are not comfortable giving out, so apologies in advance if so.
When I was 60 I was diagnosed with neck cancer. The treatment I received at the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee was superb. After five years of post treatment assessment I was discharged in June this year. The NHS saved my life. Currently my 96 year old father is in hospital in the south of England and is at the end of his life. The treatment he’s receiving is wonderful. Thank you NHS.
Oh goodness, your comment brought a lump to my throat! Bless your dad, and bless you for surviving such a scary cancer! God bless the NHS and may they continue to save lives and support the sick despite all the challenges they endured through the pandemic!
BTW... I grew up in Dundee. Illinois! ;-) Cheers for your comment! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels I’ve just looked up your Dundee. It doesn’t look much like mine I have to say. Dundee in Scotland is a city of around 147,000 people, situated on the northern side of the River Tay. It was once famous for the three J’s - Jute, Jam and Journalism. Keillers marmalade well-known brand of marmalade originated there - hence the J for Jam. I have a friend in Pittsburg whose husband has dementia and I believe very little care is provided by the state which is the complete opposite of my father’s experience in the south of England. I enjoy your uploads and hope you keep them coming.
@@markshrimpton3138 yes, my Dundee is definitely very different from your Dundee! I was born in Elgin, which is a larger town. But it has changed a lot since I was born nearly 60 years ago!🩷🏴
Very good to hear your critique, Ian, of your visit to the GP. Trusting your elbow improves over time.
Thank you. I'm sure it will. Most problems I've had in the past have eventually gone away or become manageable with time.
I love going to the tip! Sorry to hear about the painter. Great news about Ians relatives getting good care here. Hope you find some relief in Texas!
Hi Dara and Ian, sorry to hear Ian had a tennis elbow hope it improves on your return to the US. Glad your NHS appointment was a good outcome. I have had to use our NHS over the years for Ovarian Cancer with recurrence after hysterectomy and chemotherapy, plus gallbladder removal and I can say I had excellent care and they seriously saved my life. Plus I’m still under oncology who see me on a regular basis. Also a few members of my family have had operations all with a good outcome. So 👍s up to the NHS x Julie x
Sorry to hear that you have dealt with such serious health challenges, Julie... but so nice to hear that you received good care. Hoping that the coast remains clear on your future oncology appointments! Thanks for watching. XX Dara
Difference is you "CAN" also pay for it here in the UK, via BUPA and other Private health providers. I had my eyes done privately, my mum went with the NHS. I've paid to gain 20/10 vision, twice as good vision as someone with standard 20/20 vision. Whilst the NHS can only offer 20/20 vision.
Interesting!
What to have your eyes ‘done’ how?
@@nicolad8822 I had lens replacement surgery because of a cataract . NHS only offer clear lens replacement, Private offers a huge choice including refractive lenses.
Hi Dara & Ian! Haha, I had so many trips to the tip when I was there this Summer! Nice to hear you didn't have to wait too long to be seen by the doctor, Ian. Interesting that your doctor said you could possibly get advanced treatments in the US. Yes, as long as you can afford it. Glad to hear your relations in the UK got very prompt and good care on the NHS, and that you had a positive experience too, Ian. Enjoy your last few days in the UK 😊
Thanks, Julie! We are in frantic "wrap up" mode... you know the drill ;-)
We will. Thank you Julie!
I was crippled for 6 months with both feet affected one after the other with plantar fasciitis. Tried different things then used the sports version of pro II insoles and within two weeks the relief I had was unbelievable. I still use the insoles in everything I wear and I highly recommend them. (Blue versions are more sturdier for sports and they are the ones I needed initially )
I'm glad you got relief! 👍
There is private healthcare in the UK. BUPA comes to mind, but big businesses often offer private healthcare plans. The NHS actually buy from private healthcare to supplement short falls when demand is high, or specialist care not available under the NHS directly...
I've been travelling to the UK for 31 years, and have always just paid privately in the past. This is our first time trying to use the NHS. Ian has had a British passport since he was born, but just hasn't ever had an NHS Number until now.
You don’t need insurance for private treatment, you can be self funding, If you watch a recent video Dara made she describes how this process was used for non nhs procedures.
@@MagentaOtterTravelsDoes a British passport automatically give you access if you’ve never paid into the system?
@@nicolad8822 no you have to prove residency
I am British and naturalised American, retied in the UK with my American wife, so I know both systems. I just want to note that there is also private healthcare in the UK, where you can get more immediate and perhaps more advanced care when you need it, while for everything else there is the NHS. I went this way for a knee meniscus tear earlier this year.
I hope your knee is OK now! I did a separate video comparing US vs. UK doctor visits for private care. That is the only type of medical care I've had in Britain. That video is a lot better than this one... even though this one got all the views! haha
I don't agree that the NHS would not be able to supply you with treatment. If you have planter fasciitis you should see a rheumatologist.
The current complaint is tennis elbow... the GP would have referred us to a specialist if we were not headed to the US so soon.
Thanks for reminding me, I need to get an appointment soon.
Get it, lad!
@@MagentaOtterTravels But there's no way am I going to Texas to get treatment
You mentioned how much you spent to cure your Plantar Fasciitis. I filled a plastic bottle with water and froze it. I then rolled my foot over it every day for about half an hour. I also exercised rolling my foot over a small ball. It took a few weeks but it worked and its not been back since
There are varying degrees of PF. Ian's is super bad. He did the frozen water bottle thing along with 27 other treatments... 9 years later he is somewhat better but not fully cured.
The NHS is amazing, they are their when you need them. I was told up to 6 months for a day surgery, that was 2 weeks ago but I go in next Saturday. So 3 weeks.
That is great! I'm glad you received the care you needed. Brilliant!
I had damaged tendons in my lower arm (Tennis Elbow). I was given a series of exercises to do. It took about 9 months to heal. Mine coincided with a certain antibiotic that is known to effect tendons. Stopped the antibiotics, and it healed up within 9 months.
I am glad you found a remedy and healed!
@@MagentaOtterTravels just dont play tennis anytime soon lol.
Most important thing is to do stretches regularly (every hour if possible). Massage the muscles in forearm to try and loosen them up. I could give you details of what is happening in the elbow but the doctor has probably already done that. Good luck
Thanks! Yes, doing lots of massage and Voltarol and ice. He might need some physio done when we get back to Texas.
I didn't find the video boring at all. I found it very interesting. (I turned off the cricket to watch it).
I suspect the quality of treatment depends on where in the UK you live. For instance, I've always had excellent treatment from my GP practice. To be honest I find them to be a little too good. 😁😁 When I had a frozen shoulder they suggested physiotherapy. I asked if there was another way to treat it and they said it would clear itself up over time. Guess which option I chose? One of the doctors in the practice carried out a minor operation on me at the surgery. I wonder if that would happen in the US?
We have excellent hospitals too. Some of the top ones in the country.
On Sheppey you have to travel 50+ miles to get to a hospital specialising in cancer. The Royal Marsden is great. They operated on my mother and saved her life. She lived till 92.
Yes, I have heard excellent things about the hospitals here... Cheltenham has a fantastic one. It's an ugly building, but apparently a great hospital!
As for the video... it's definitely a dumb one. Ian hates when I do videos like this. But at least it was only 5 minutes you had to miss of cricket... and with as slow as cricket is, that means you probably didn't miss much! LOL
@@MagentaOtterTravels Slow? They've invented a new format that lasts for just 90 minutes. 😝
I much prefer the 5 day game. 🏏
(It just so happened that they were having a break just as I started watching). 😂
How can a GP practice be a little too good?
@@michellemaine2719 They suggest that you do things that you don't really want to do, such as join an outdoor walking club. 😂
My husband and brother-in-law have both had acupuncture for their tennis elbow on the national health via their GP, and it was a total success.
What?! I didn't know you could get acupuncture through the NHS! We are going to try it next week paying cash... but in the future we will remember that as an option. Thanks so much!
I've had it once for a back problem and it did provide instant relief. I was quite surprised. Hopefully it will work again.
@@MagentaOtterTravelsYep bit it might not always be widely available but some GPs are trained in it themselves.
@@nicolad8822 we are paying privately to get the chiropractic and acupuncture treatments done. But that's good to hear that some GPs also do it.
Hey Ian, I used to suffer terribly from Tennis elbow. I went to see a physiotherapist who used ultrasound, massaging and acupuncture, sorted me out in no time. The acupuncture was particularly good.
I'm forcing Ian to go to a chiropractor and acupuncturist this week. I won't do a video about it, but I'll try to reply here and let you know if it helps! Cheers! Dara
An Hex ray would be informative ,a looksee is necessary as it could be a rose thorn or metal splinter travelling to your heart…
Where does that Physiotherapist practice? He sounds the business…physio i think is the way forward…in my humble opinion..
Will you have to Strongarm Ian across the threshold of the establishment ? If you do make sure you do not restrict his breathing..
Texas needs him..
@@MagentaOtterTravels Acupuncture I get. I can understand how it works. I'm a bit more sceptical about chiropractors. If Ian does decide to see one make sure they're registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
My first port of call is always the NHS site to see what they advise.
I've had a good result with acupuncture when I had a back issue so I will be giving that a try in this case.
tennis elbow, can very well be an inflamed overuse of that joint. But when it doesn't subside with a period of inactivity, it more often than not is a signal that there is general inflamation within your body. I strongly suggest looking at those markers.
Thank you 😊
Great update! Would be crazy to just walk out without a proper check out process. Get better soon Ian!
I have been really impressed with the focus on preventative care and all the screening tests (like mammograms) that are offered for free. Thanks for the well wishes!
Thank you!
A friend of mine had a breast removed many years ago,both her mother and grandmother died of breast cance Her two daughters have regular checks. Also their daughters, will also be aware, and follow suit. Three generations looked after.Gid bless the NHS.
I have had plantar fasciitis a few times. Exercises, soft shoes (slippers) and if wearing hard shoes use shoe inserts sorted it out. I agree with Ian, avoid doctors at all costs until you really can't.
Ian has had his for 9 years... pretty tiresome!
@@MagentaOtterTravels 5 years with the same doctor is quite enough i think…
Shoes with support for the arches, bingo away it goes.
I had it for ages. Yoga and good lifestyle made it go away
@@lewissparkes you just need the yogi Ian…
hope Ian gets his elbow sorted as much as i dislike aspects of our health care the fact that anyone who needs treatment will be seen no bill at the end is stunning ...no wonder alot come here for free treatment
We paid for treatment at a chiropractor... the adjustments and acupuncture and physio really helped him start to recover 👍
🌍🌄🌎 I'm not proud of much in England but the NHS is something to be proud of, I live in Spain and fortunately they have a universal healthcare as well, much respect to the doctors, nurses, cleaners etc. Etc. ...💚💛❤
Yes, absolutely! Much respect and gratitude to everyone who works in these healthcare facilities to care for those who are ill.
That's fair enough I suppose if you still have coverage in the US. You may wait a some time to see a specialist after a GP's referral in the UK. A patient asking to be prescribed a particular treatment, especially medication, may not sit well with many GPs.
Yes, I was good and kept my mouth shut in the doctor appointment... I didn't recommend any treatment ;-)
Although I did talk Ian into trying a visit next week with my chiropractor here in Cheltenham. Chiropractic and acupuncture can be very effective on tennis elbow. It's worth trying! It worked on my tennis elbow 17 years ago ;-)
There's some research that Tennis Elbow is a psychosomatic syndrome but there is still argument whether mental distress is a cause or symptom. The symptoms can also be caused by other arm shoulder damage. No advice helped me for plantar fascilitis but i bought ankle socks for it with very tight elasticated arch support and it was fixed within a short time.
Yep, those socks were one of the 27 remedies for PF that Ian has tried over the past 9 years of having the condition. Only rest, stretching, not walking barefoot, and TIME has helped to finally make the problem less bad.
Hoping he gets over the tennis elbow sooner. I've heard similar things about backache... some of that is psychosomatic/mental stress related.
@@MagentaOtterTravels It was a consistent theory that back ache was partly psychosomatic too and possibly persists but a study was done of a large number of complainants that regularly claimed sick time due to their bad backs. In the study the subjects were subjected to detailed scans and infra red heat detection. In nearly all cases there were problems found.
The NHS is beyond compare. Anywhere in the world. It has 2 major problems. Firstly. The fact that it is being run by money men & not medical personnel. And secondly. The fact that it is now the international health service. People coming here from all over the world just for the free medical care. And we're not talking about people just from the poorer countries. It's mostly people from countries like America. Why pay 30,000 plus to have a baby. $40 just for the privilege of skin on skin contact with your baby. Surely it makes more sense to hop over to the good ol' UK & have a nice relaxing break with the father. Even with the cost of flights & accommodation it's well worth it financially. I know a couple who from New York who have actually done this. Peace out.
Wow! I have heard of people taking medical vacations to central or South America to get cosmetic surgery or dental work, but I didn't know people were taking maternity vacations to Britain! That's crazy
Hi Dara,
It is very fascinating concept.
I often hear medical expense is very high.
So wasn't he charged anything for a doctor's visit at all?
Of course, as long as premium,
a person receive the best care in th US.
Here is my question. I discuss about shingle shot with the UK ppl.
we, Americans usually receive immunization shots for free, I recall. But There is a cost for shingle shots in the UK.
Is that true?
Thank you for educating me.
Fabulous content and clear message.
Hi Yumi, good to hear from you!
That is a very good question about shingles shots! I have had both of mine in the US, so I didn't even think about getting it here. They are very expensive in the states, but I don't know the cost here.
Typically if you go see a doctor at the NHS you don't pay for the office visit at all. Obviously, British taxpayers pay a lot of money for the NHS service to be provided to everyone. But the national health service as a group is able to negotiate costs of medical procedures and pharmaceutical medications down to more reasonable levels, which is a good thing! That's how the system works differently than the US.
Covid immunizations have been free in the US but otherwise they seem to be very expensive. I paid $450 for the two doses of the shingles immunization and that was with US insurance (which was useless).
You become eligible for shingles vaccine on the NHS programme (ie free at the point of use/need - if you are eligible for NHS services, which is almost all people who are legal residents of the UK) depending on your age and your current medical history. The age eligibility was previously 70 but currently reducing to 65, and for those over 50 who are immunocompromised.
You can pay for it privately if you wish, and/or if you are not otherwise eligible, but you must be 50 or over. Neither of the two vaccines available are cheap if you are paying for it yourself.
Hope that helps.
On the arm that has tennis elbow. With your thumb find the bone below the heel just where the arm reaches your hand. now press with your thumb on the bone and move slowly towards your arm. You should feel a sharp pain run your thumb on this spot. The pain will go away after a couple of sessions and so will your elbow pain. Mine was golf elbow and i couldn't lift a glass with my left arm and it had stopped me playing golf that was some 32 years ago and i havent had the pain since.
Wow, thanks for the tip! We are willing to give it a go ;-) Glad your pain is gone. Cheers! Dara
Very often senior doctors, consultants and specialists in UK work in both the NHS and the private system... So you could pay for private care and see the same specialist as you would in NHS, just maybe a bit quicker.
That is so interesting! Something I didn't know until I published these videos ;-)
I had that foot problem years ago, saw the doctor who didn't really have any treatment for it. He suggested that i only buy footwear that has arch support. I ditched any that i had without and only wore those with support, from then on. Haven't had any trouble since.
So glad it cleared up 👍
Ian, damp heat (microwave neck warmer) or hot water bottle wrapped in a damp towel for tennis elbow or housemaids knee. Damp heat goes in further than dry.
Cheers, Vicky!
@@MagentaOtterTravels my late Grandad was an osteopath and he swore by it.
Thank you Vicky. Will give it a try once back in the US.
What a nice experience! Doctors appointments in the US take a good hour or two! Hope you feel better soon Ian! ~Cara 😊
We talked about all the hassle you had with finding a good specialist and getting an appointment a while back... it really can be difficult!
@@MagentaOtterTravels I saw your other videos…but this is the one thing that really frustrates me 😩😂
@@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers yes, navigating healthcare systems and getting proper medical care as we age turns into a full-time job, doesn't it?
Thank you Cara! I'm sure it will eventually get better. Most problems I've had in the past have, with enough time.
In the UK it can take six months. And that's for phone consultation.
Plantar Fasciitis is brutal but should clear up within around a year, had it a few times
I suffered from severe Tennis-Elbow about 25 years ago in the UK, and the NHS gave me a series of about 4 steroid injections into the joint within 2 years which cured the problem completely. Only one injection is seldom enough.
I'm glad it resolved for you 👍
As a UK resident, I was astonished recently to learn that US citizens have to pay for their ambulances to take them to the nearest medical facility. Wow.
Yes, last time I had to pay for one it was $600! Now you know why my father took a taxi to the hospital on the morning he died! Crazy.
@@MagentaOtterTravels Wow!!! I had no idea the charge would be so much, I'm shocked.
As most people have pointed out, the NHS is absolutely superb for major issues, accident, major illness, et cetera. For minor issues which are not life-threatening but are just annoying you can wait a long time. However, my local GP surgery has recently appointed a physiotherapist which you can see free of charge for things like tennis elbow, he's absolutely brilliant. Previously when I had tennis elbow I paid to see a private physiotherapist rather than wait for the NHS. Now I won't have to do so, if the tennis elbow re-occurs.
Yes physiotherapy can be so helpful for most joint injuries. I'm glad that you have a good one in your area! I've had both really good and really bad experiences with them... really depends on the person 😉. Ian got treatment from an excellent chiropractor in England, and with some chiropractic, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and rest he is doing much better now 👍
The treatment for tennis elbow is a simple strap around the arm, just below the elbow, which can be bought at a chemist for ten pounds or so. Pain relief is immediate
I keep trying to get Ian to try one of those!!!
I’m a self employed landscaper, so can’t afford to be out of commission, I was a bit skeptical when it was suggested I try one of those, but the pain relief was instant and it allowed me to keep working without discomfort or aggravating my elbow any further.
I think over the course of 25 years or so I’ve needed to use one three or four times? Usually for less than a week. And you know other people who swear by them too.
It’s strange that you can get straight back to work without pain and still heal, but it works.
It’s not magic, it obviously just redirects the stress off the point that is hurting - and I haven’t had to use it for years
@@adrianmcgrath1984 thank you for a very persuasive testimonial! I have just read it to Ian 😉
Don't forget your annual covid and flu shots every autumn (but you'll probably be in the USA by then), your annual NHS Health Check for anyone over 40 years old, your annual blood pressure review, your bi-annual bowel cancer test for anyone over 54. The abdominal aortic aneurysm test for all men aged 65. There are probably more tests available for women. As you both have NHS numbers, there is no cost involved.
@@Waspy50 interesting. I have never heard of an abdominal aortic aneurysm test before!
I do my annual physical and mammogram and bone density scans here in Texas. As well as Covid and flu shots. But it's nice to know that I can get emergency care in Britain if I need it 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels I forgot to add the Pneumococcal vaccine, this is available to anyone over 65 (a few years away for you guys :). This protects against Meningitis, Sepsis and Pneumonia.
I cant find an nhs dentist inside 40. Miles of where i live and i cant afford private dentistry
Dental care is a whole different matter. I agree it is super expensive and difficult to find good care nearby.
I arrived at the NHS hospital in Brighton England with no heartbeat, a paramedic doing CPR to keep me alive! I was rushed directly to surgery and had a cardiac pacemaker fitted. I am fine now and very grateful to the paramedic and hospital staff.
Pacemakers only last a few years so I had to have it replaced. At this point I had private medical insurance with my job, sound familiar USA? I got to see the cost of a pacemaker implant. £6000, (six thousand pounds) for the pacemaker, then the surgery, surgeon, anaesthetist and drugs were all additional costs. Just shy of £10,000. (Ten grand!) I paid an excess fee of £250 to CIGNA the insurance company.
UK folks, don't ever let your NHS be changed to an insurance based system.
Wow, what a story! Glad you're ok and received such good care! 🙏
The NHS WILL have to be changed with insurance policies because it cannot survive the way the way it is financed.The British public take it for granted,and don't deserve the NHS because they take it for granted,and have no idea how much treatment costs!
Happy to see that the doctor was reasonable and did not want to start a treatment at any cost. So let's hope when you are back in Texas he will find some treatment that will work! 👍
I'm going to try some other alternative therapies this week... chiropractic, acupuncture, and KT Tape. In addition to the massage, ibuprofen gel and icing... I'm hope it helps in the meantime before we return to Texas.
I daren’t think how much my medical bills would be without NHS. Appendicitis, two broken bones, surgery on hand and eye, mental health care when in crisis. Three children taken good care of and 5 grandchildren. Too many Brits take the NHS for granted but I think it’s great as are the people that work in it.
I agree. I'm glad that your family has received the care they needed 🙏
I'm a GP (in Gloucestershire) and do inject Tennis Elbow with steroid occasionally myself. There's not a great deal that can be done more actively that has an actual evidence base, and surgery is rarely advised. The most evidence based approach is physio and rest, but that's not real life though.
Ian did a lot of rest, and some physio, along with some chiropractic and acupuncture! It's doing much better now. Thanks for commenting. Always nice to hear from someone else in Gloucestershire! Cheers! Dara
NO you cant. You can get tennis or golfers elbow by where your hand joins your wrist If you follow your little finger to wrist if you press the heal of your hand you will feel the bone with your other hand feel that bone with your thumb. Let the ball of your thumb press down on the bone and let it rub the bone over and round it it for a couple of minutes You may feel a sharp pain rub till that subsides if your lucky the pain in your elbow will be gone if not do it the next day just a couple of minutes is all that is required. I had it in my forties i am in my late nineties now and i haven't had it since that day. There is a name for doing it but that has long been forgotten and a Doctor would not tell you this probably give you a painful injection in the joint of your elbow. It could be RECHI
Thanks for your comment
Thank you for that recommendation. I've been fortunate in that resting the affected limb has done wonders but if it comes back I'll revisit this. I definitely won't be doing any steroid injections. I think that is only a temporary solution at best.
Congratulations and hope all goes well. I’ve not been able to see my GP in years and can’t get past reception, so I always contact NHS 111..
Thank you! Good to have that 111 resource.
It is obvious from any visit to an NHS hospital that decades of underfunding (thank you Tories) is having a dreadful effect on staffing and subsequent treatment.
The miracle that happened in this video, is that Ian was willing to see a doctor! 😂 After everything he had told me a couple of weeks ago, I was not sure he really would go to visit one.
He was very unwilling. But I had a video to film! LOL
There wasn't a lot of choice involved.
Plantar Fascitis. Try stretching your calf muscles (both legs) 3 times a day (morning, noon, evening) for 20 seconds at a time using the bottom stair of the stairs, holding onto the bannister. You'll notice a difference within a couple of days and it should be cured within 2 weeks.
First of all, I find your username to be quite amusing! I'm sure there's a story behind that! Thank you for the suggestion. Ian has been doing that since 2014. He has a pretty bad chronic case! Thankfully it is somewhat better now after nine years. He's at least able to do some hiking. Several years ago he couldn't walk around the block...
@@MagentaOtterTravels I found walking downhill causes it on it's own so one must counteract it by walking uphill as much if not more. It's a bit like training just your biceps without training your triceps.
I have plantar fasciitis and was under an Orthopaedic specialist and had physio and inserts for shoes - being a Nurse my self couldnt avoid being on my feet all day! But despite also having Mortons neuromas and arthritis I still nursed- the plantar fasciitis has more or less resolved with the help of physio and nature and many injections 🏴
I'm glad that you were able to manage the PF pain and continue with your profession. We have often thought about how hard it would be to have chronic PF when your job required being on your feet all day...
Not on my feet nearly as much as a Nurse, but I didn’t bother going to the Doctor for what I could tell was likely PF pain. I did the stretching exercises recommended, dropping heels down whilst standing on a step and rolling my foot over an iced water bottle etc. I also bought some inexpensive orthotics from Amazon for my slippers at home and some partial foot compression socks which really helped. It went and luckily hasn’t come back in 2 or 3 years.
@@nicolad8822 yes, nine years later Ian is still doing those stretches on the stairs every day! He hasn't had to do the ice bottle in a while though, thank goodness!
People often forget in the UK we have the NHS but we also have private medical care if you are willing to pay for it.
I was very interested to learn that the same doctors see patients through both the NHS and privately.
I like your ending asking that we do something good in the world today. I am going to take up on that.
It's a motto I honestly try to live by! When I started my channel almost 4 years ago, I tried to think of some sign off that I would be willing to say on every video. I couldn't think of anything that would be better. I'm trying to stay optimistic in a very challenging world 🌎💖. Cheers! Dara
Glad you had a good experience!! How is the elbow now??
It's tolerable, but still giving him trouble. Especially when he uses the computer or does pull-ups!
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm assuming he has tried different types of wrist/arm 0ads and rests for computer work??
@@jamesbeeching6138 yes. It's a long term battle...
That's the problem with USA doctors, it's in their interest to give you medicine and operations as its a business where as in the UK its what will work best, not what they can sell you on
Precisely.
Totally agree with the life and death help here in England. GPs are not so helpful if it’s an ailment, I’ve had a couple say to me “what do you want from me” 😂😊 Hope Ian’s elbow improves ❤
@@cornwallglory honestly I have had similar experience with a couple American GPs. They will write a prescription for what you think you need 🫣
Yes like you’re always supposed to know what’s wrong with you before you turn up 😂
@@cornwallglory exactly! And what medication you need!
I'm in the US. and I got a sugar water injection in my elbow for pain. Insurance didn't cover it, and it was around $100.
@@deannas1515 wow, I've never heard of that! Did it help you?
@@MagentaOtterTravels It's a series of 4 or 5 shots. I didn't think it worked, so I canceled the rest of the series. It worked, but took 3-4 weeks. I had had the pain for about 8 months when I finally had it done. I'm still good, and never went back for more injections.
@@deannas1515 wow, thanks for telling me your experience. That's really interesting!
I got my tennis elbow digging my big garden plot over in a new house we moved into ,finally I went the doctors all could offer was pain killers and cortisone injections which he added could be painful , I decided to go without both and live with it , it took about 2 years to settle down ,but it never really goes away ,sometimes if I overwork the arm it raises it ugly head 😢
Ugh! That's not good to hear. Sounds like my wrist. It gets better when I rest it, but then when I get confident and try push ups or burpees again... the pain comes back! The joys of navigating how to not injure ourselves as we age... LOL
I assume Ian has tried shoe inserts for his plantar fascilitis (also called Policeman's foot!). I got some from Boots Chemist wore them for about two years and I haven't had it since. Just wondering if an operation was necessary.
@@lulusbackintown1478 he actually tried 37 different types of treatment! Definitely shoe inserts (orthotics) were an important one, and something he still does. And yes, he even did an expensive surgery. But it didn't help at all!😩
I live in the UK and would suggest the best way forward for this type of issue is to go and see a Sports Physio privately.
Ian went to a great chiropractor and acupuncturist and started doing some Physio exercises. The pain has improved a lot!🙏
I was waiting in the Mt Sanai Hospital in San Francisco. 3 screens to help me how to sue the doctor ( who I hadn’t seen yet). Each screen was for a different set of lawyers. About 6 for each screen.
Each doctor must have been insured to his/ her eyeballs!
Oh yes, the medical malpractice insurance that the doctors have to pay for is crazy expensive! Almost as expensive as what we have to pay for doctor appointments and prescription meds!!
Hope your "Tennis Elbow" improves, Ian. Enjoyed hearing about your experience there.
I'm dragging Ian to a chiropractor/acupuncturist this week to see if that might provide some relief. Obviously, I will drag him by his good arm ;-)
Thank you. If it's like all the other problems I've had in the past I'm sure it eventually will. The most effective cure is the passage of time.
Wills had tennis elbow - he finally got it cured at a Chinese acupuncturist is soho London! It took two treatments and it was done. Glad you had a kind of positive experience! Cheers 🍻
I made an appointment for him to see a chiropractor and acupuncturist this week. Hoping that helps!🙏
Was that an NHS Chinese acupunturiste?
@@griswald7156 no, we didn't do it through NHS. We paid privately for a really good chiropractor I've been going to who also does acupuncture
@@MagentaOtterTravels do you think that some chiropractors are not good at all ?
About your painter. Trying to find reliable trades people in this counter is like finding a Unicorn in your garden. All the the good ones never need to advertise their service and if there available you will have to wait. Only way is to get recommendation from someone you trust.
The NHS is still a nation treasure.
We ended up with a great painter in the end but it was touch and go!
I have a fantastic doctors surgery, who I cannot fault. I was referred recently for an operation which could have left me on a waiting list for many months of not years at this point. Thankfully I have healthcare through my husband’s employer and so was operated on within weeks. Healthcare does have its advantages. This is in England.
Yes, I really think it is optimal to be able to use the NHS in most situations, but also be able to go private when needed. I'm glad you received the care you needed promptly!
I have been playing rugby 30 years now, and though I have never had cortisone shots, I can say that the people I know that have didn’t get much relief from them. They also generally suffered more in later years as a result.
Yes, I'm glad that Ian avoided that.
Private health care is available in the UK if required.
Yes, I discussed that in my prior video about "Doctor Appointments" if you'd like to check that out. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment! Cheers, Dara
Americans that have been to the NHS will be delighted about one thing.
It won't cost you an arm and a leg.
True!
How did they get an NHS number??? You have to be a resident or on residency visa or you have to use insurance.
We own property and have proof of residency. And a British passport
Bearing in mind the Tories have spent the last 15 years undermining the NHS with staffing and financial cuts, and the impact on the bigots in the UK who forced the huge numbers of Europeans out of the country and left the NHS understaffed. It's been a terrible period for British Medicine.
I'm hoping it gets better.
I've had a couple of shoulder injuries, bursitis I think, and the only thing that fixes them is time. 2 years sometimes. Did physio to no effect. Was offered steroid injections but apparently that only offers limited temporary relief. The human body can come up with some really weird pains. 😂 I had a hernia operation this year and after 3 months there is still some lingering pain. Apparently they put in a stitch almost on a bone in the pelvis to hold a mesh in place and that can pinch. The doc said see if it settles down in a few months and if it hasn't we'll do a MRI. They even snipped a nerve to stop chronic pain going forward. As I said the human body is weird. If it can find a way to hurt you it will. 😂
Speaking of cancer I read once that France has one of the highest rates of survival. But when I looked at the stats in seems good ol' Oz is number one - significantly higher than no. 2 NZ, third Ireland and 4th is the US, followed by a bunch of European countries. The UK lags in around 10th.
I hope Ian isn't in too much pain.
Sorry to hear you are still having pain 3 months post op! Yes, weird pains are one of the joys of ageing...
I had shoulder bursitis as well... and exercises helped a bit, but mostly yes... just TIME!
Ian is not in too much pain. He would be better off if we weren't constantly doing manual labour getting the flat ready to rent out!!
Thank you. Fortunately the pain level is relatively low. It's more of an annoyance than a significant problem.
@@ians3586 Excellent. Better a mild annoyance than something chronic. Welcome to middle aged 😂
I had a steroid injection for tennis elbow years ago. It was very painful for about 24 hours afterwards, and the benefit did not last long.
Hope Ian finds a solution, the main one is to stop doing whatever it was that caused it in the first place. Unfortunately that is often a lot easier said than done, causes are not necessarily easy to see, or to avoid.
Pullups/chinups caused the problem, but typing on a keyboard and just living (driving, moving furniture, hauling trash to the dump, home repairs) keep it hurting. We are going to be trying some new treatments the next few weeks... I'm determined to help him conquer this!
@@MagentaOtterTravels .
That's the problem, there are so many things which can exacerbate it.
I used to fly fish, which would seem to be the cause, but the kicker turned out to be using the computer mouse.
@@grahvis yes, I learned the hard way how important it is to have a good ergonomic set up when using the computer. Both the mouse and keyboard can really hurt your elbow if you are sitting at the wrong angle. Ian does not have a good set up here like he does back in Texas. I only just got a proper desk and an office chair setup here in England a few days ago.
WOW !!!! You got an appointment ! We have learned that the best way to use the NHS is not to use it if possible. So, for example, to avoid tennis elbow I don't play tennis.
Very sensible! Ian actually got his doing pull-ups 😬
@MagentaOtterTravels ... and pull-ups ! LOL. Exercise can seriously damage your health.
@@grumblewoof4721 definitely. I injure my wrists on a regular basis from burpees, mountain climbers and push-ups! 🙄
Hi Dara, it’s me again, totally disagree, whatever treatment you have when you pay there’s always an improvement but usually it’s to the doctors bank balance. The success rate of a cortisone injection is 70% which is good odds. But as you said it’s Ian’s elbow. One thing Ian could try to alleviate the pain/ discomfort and it works, I used one prior to my injection and it’s available at most chemists is a Velcro strap for tennis or golfer’s elbow. As an experiment get him to tightly grip his bad arm two inches below his elbow using his other hand, then clench his hand into a fist on his bad arm, he will feel the pressure will travel no further than where he’s gripping his arm not to his elbow thus alleviating the pain. If you watch golf on television you will see the golfers wearing one sometimes as it’s brought on by repetitive movement. DO NOT SLEEP WEARING IT as we all swell in the night and it can be dangerous. You adjust the tension to suit on the strap, not too tight. I will be most interested to know if he tries it, it does work.👍.
There are only so many cortisone injections you can have before they start doing more harm than good. England bowler Steven Finn was told they wouldn't give him any more as they could cause permanent damage.
Thanks for your comment, John! We are going to keep doing the massage and Voltarol and icing... and also try chiropractic and acupuncture this week. And I also brought some KT tape from the states, so I want to try that as well... should be similar to the velcro strap. Cheers! Dara
You were lucky that your doctor's appointment was on time. At my doctor's surgery they are always at lest 20 minutes late. It doesn't help when their first appointments start at 8:30 am, but don't let you into the waiting room until 8:30 am
Usually appointments first thing in the morning are more on time. I hate going to a doctors appointment at 2PM and they're already running an hour late...
I’ve had tennis elbow from badminton, it’s seriously painful.
I went to a sports injury clinic and they gave me exercises to do and said avoid cortisone injections if you can as they cause scarring on the tendon ends.
Ian got his from doing pullups! And typing on the computer keyboard. But it's getting better now with rest and stretching and chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara
I don’t agree our Doctors have saved my life on several occasions.
I'm glad to hear that you've received the care you needed.❤
Good to 5:49 know Ian? had a good if not perfect appointment. The NHS may not be perfect but if it's used correctly it is great. The doctor would be very wary of giving a treatment because you were on your way back home. Steroids injections are normally given as a course to work correctly.. I've just had one in my knee, perhaps the most painful thing l've experienced. Imagine pushing molasses through a needle. My Dr said it could be a football injury came as a shock never played football but rugby. He says the body has a memory and reminds you of your youth later. That means my body has a better memory than me l only played for a few games can't remember any tries or even running. My uncle Buddy on a visit from NY in the eighties had a heart attack. He was taken to the local hospital and had a pacemaker fitted. He told the staff he had insurance when he left he asked how much he owed them. The staff said you will get a bill, never did he tried to pay over the year's but to no avail. He arrived back in NY was told by his Dr here to have a check up after the long flight. His Dr said we will replace it now your home he asked why.? $45000 he said, no thanks and it lasted him another 10 year's, he got his wish came her and went private for a replacement he was 87 when he died. Hope you get your paint on the walls Ian can't do it, not with tennis elbow.
OK, that was a funny joke about your body remembering your youth better than your brain! haha
That is an amazing story about your Uncle Buddy!
Thankfully we found a NEW painting company, here in Cheltenham, and they were GREAT! I'm now sitting in the room that is painted, carpeted, and all put together. Yay!
You can go private in the UK.....A lot of the time you are paying to see the same consultant you saw at the hospital. This has happened twice to my cousin.
So interesting! I didn't know that until I published this video and several people commented. We will always try NHS first but if we have to wait a long time for a follow up specialist appointment... we may go private. Great private hospital in Cheltenham 👍. I talk about that in the Doctor Appointment video. Here's the link if you missed it: ruclips.net/video/siutTIM3x6c/видео.htmlsi=WaR5tNGps3S7rw5r
Tennis elbow is serious for people doing manual work. For example domestic care work.
Yes, the chronic pain can inhibit one's ability to do every day tasks.
It's called a Social Security number, not an NHS number; the number has a much wider application.