I'm a bit of a boring old fart. Non smoker, non drinker, and have never touched drugs. I live in a small motor home, which manages to get me to virtually anywhere in the country to do volunteer work.

I mentioned the following accident in GN back in 2011. Pulled my motorcycle onto it's back leg. Result was a pain in my back that almost brought me to tears!

Shortly after, a doctor arranged for me to have a cortisone injection. The pain stopped for almost a month. I carried on working. In a short time the pain came back. While doing volunteer work in Qld; NSW, Vic., I visited many doctors, Physios', and Acupuncturists. I was given prescriptions for "pain killers" by every MD !? 

With the pain in my back, I found it impossible to sleep on my right side, or my back. 

When working back in WA, (2016) a doctor, who listened to me, said to go and get an MRI. End result was an appointment with a surgeon in Perth. It was 2016. 

My first time in hospital, May 10, 2017. The op. was for a ciatic (?) Out by May 24th. I was advised to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE ! Started walking slowly. Within two weeks I could ride my pushbike. By the end of June I decided to drive to Queensland. What bothered me was that the pain in my lower back/hip. But, I had been told that there would be some soreness.

A couple of months walking, cycling and generally being lazy, and I had  to go and do some light work. Soon I was back with in central Qld. Even walking around picking up pieces of wood was painful on my back/hip.

Took myself off to a doctor. Given a 'script for pain killers. NSW, same story. Victoria, same thing. Take more pills!?

The pain became so bad that I decided to drive back to WA and seek help there. When I told a local doctor about the now very sharp pain, he arranged for me to have a CT scan. The scan was faxed to the surgeon who had done the op; He made no comment, that I know of. I have no idea what was discussed with "my" doctor. When I said that the pain in my back/hip was getting worse, he said, "What do you want me to do about it?"

So I took myself down to the local hospital emergency dept. Another doctor. He looked up my CT scan. Said he was not sure. Arranged for another CT scan. The results were shown to me on paper. I have/had no idea what it all meant. 

Then I was told to get myself to Perth. (1000 klm. return) Arrived there, was prodded and pushed for all of twenty minutes, then told to drive home with the "assurance" that they would arrange another MRI in February!? 

Once back in town, I receive a phone call to tell me that the MRI will be moved to March, and in Fremantle!?

17 December. Like an idiot, I went to yet another local doctor. He looked like he had just stepped out of high school. I had written all the details of my "painful journey" to his office, and e mailed it to him prior to the appointment. This, I thought would save time. He hadn't received it. His whole attitude was that of someone who found my being there, boring !! He hadn't the intelligence to even look interested! When I told him how many Panadol I have had to take,  all he said was that they could ruin my kidneys!!??

Yea, I know that many GN's will find this all a bit ridiculous. But for someone who has managed to "survive" 75 plus years of living, virtually, without "tapping" the public / hospital purse, I find that the medical system so confusing. I fully realize that the medical people are all very very busy, and to have another "old fart" stumble in with a "mere" back complaint could be an inconvenience. 

Apart from doctors, I have been to some 5 Physios since June '17. Have followed all the instructions, including the swimming pool walking. Five minutes in the pool and the pain is just as bad.

This pain in my back/hip has been there for over 18 months.. I take so many pain killers that I almost rattle when I walk ? It is very serious. It has got to a point where I want to take a long walk off a short wharf. No, I'm not being melodramatic, complaining or looking for sympathy.

It's a case of having to tell someone. Reading some of the medical problems that other GN's have I tend to think that I have got off "lightly". 

I suppose that living and travelling alone doesn't help when the "Black Dog" makes an appearance. 

Friday. 14 December. I get a phone call from the local Radiology people. I can get a cortisone injection 2nd January , 2019. 

Wed. 19 December, 2018. The pain in my side/hip has me almost in tears. In desperation, I ring Radiology almost pleading for an earlier time for the injection. A lovely lady rang me back an hour later, and advise me to be at the hospital by 2 PM.

By 4 that afternoon, I had had the cortisone injection. They advised me that there was "damage" to my right hip, which could not be repaired, ever!? This means no more work. Telling me, "No more work" is like saying no more breathing. I enjoy working!? 

Anyway, two days after the injection, I get another phone call telling me that I will be required to go to Fremantle for another scan, or two!? I explained that the woman in Radiology said my hip couldn't be repaired. The doctor said that she wouldn't know!

The pain is still there. The cortisone injection didn't work, but then I was told that. It does ease when I ride five k's on my bike. OK, that's it. End of whinge, rant, etc. However, I can't help wondering if we "oldies" don't really matter any more to the younger members of the medical profession!?

All the best for the New Year.   

Pipes.