Consultant Appointment

[GillB]

I saw my local consultant this morning. At the end he asked if I would be willing to talk to some fourth year medical students. I didn't hesitate as anything that increases awareness of this disease is a good thing in my view. My doctor was abysmal despite my many visits to him and referred me to an ENT. An earlier diagnosis would have allowed me to bank my voice. The ENT said it was vocal tension and then a private neurologist suspected dystonia.

[shelly21]

I would also do this. A neurologist, who knew I was waiting to see a neurologist who specialises in mnd decided to tell me and my partner it was not mnd. 3 wks later being told it was.

Basically a red flag check ought to be put in place re mnd symptoms. It was a physio that flagged mine and I am so grateful for that.

Good on you Gill.x

[PeterPan]

Can’t think of any downsides to talking to the medical students… so a great thing to do. It’s said that many GPs don’t see a case of MND during their careers. The more that can be done to change that, the better.

[denise]

I agree. The medical profession seem really unaware of mnd. Learning the hard way that the same goes for ftd.

I'm doing as much as I can with webinars, questionnaires and researchers gathering information on both. It might just help.

[Ellie]

GillB Good for you Gill 👍👍

I do the same at every opportunity not only with the med students, but with student nurses, physios, OTs etc - I'm not eligible for any drug trials, so being a lab rat and a guinea pig is the only way I can help future HCPs. xx

[Madge]

I’m all for trainees being at appointments. They need to be aware and learn, it’s the only way to learn.

[MMG]

Our GP obviously hasn't come across MND before. After hearing of hubbies diagnosis said oh at least its not a brain tumour.

We on the other hand were almost hoping it was (a brain tumour) because at least there would have been a chance of a cure.

[TinyLady]

MMG - I had a very similar response from my GP too x

[AngieCanuck]

My GP got teary and I thought he was going to full on cry… it was very touching, but slightly disconcerting

[Heather R]

Talking of learning about MND, has anyone looked at or experienced the free online course for carers about MND that I saw mentioned in Thumb print? I pointed it out to the boss of my carers agency.

[Heather R]

I mean care workers not carers

[Ellie]

... has anyone looked at or experienced the free online course for [care workers] about MND

I had a look at it, yes Heather.

It's an 8 hour course with an Introduction and 6 units, all of which you must complete a quiz before advancing to the next unit.

It goes into detail explaining what MND is but is light on the practicalties of how to care for a person on a micro level so, for example, if you're hoping carers will learn how to shower a person or dress somebody who can't move any limbs nor support their head, things like that are not covered.

If a carer is willing to spend the time doing it, they'll know more about MND than they did before, that's for sure. xx