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Care Opinion

Numbness/tightening of my muscles

Posted By millimeterkx36

"Numbness/tightening of my muscles"

About: Fiona Stanley Hospital / Acute Medical Unit, Wards 5A &5B, AMAC (Acute Medical Ambulatory Centre)

(as a service user),

Noticed tingling and numbness which started in my feet and since progressed to under my rib cage. Muscles were tightening quite rapidly. I first went in to see my GP who contacted hospital neurology who I recall suggested I go to emergency at Fiona Stanley if symptoms got worse (yes got worse each day), at that stage the numbness was up to my pelvis area.

Emergency ran bloods, urine and lumbar MRI- I was advised all came back ok however I was admitted to Ward 5A for further investigation- no other tests were carried out, stayed the night and they discharged me with no further investigation. I was told I was going on the outpatient list however when I phoned to check on an appointment date, I recall I was told that I had been put onto an outpatient neuro research program that is not even being conducted.

So I went back to the GP (knowing something is seriously wrong) & requested MRI referral myself and discovered I have lesions on the brain and thoracic spine. I have since been referred to another hospital and waiting on an appointment there.

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Responses

Response from Neil Doverty, Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Neil Doverty
Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 8/02/2022 at 4:36 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:36 PM

picture of Neil Doverty

Dear millimeterkx36,

Thank you for your Care Opinion post. The events that you describe are very concerning to me, and I apologise for any distress your experience has caused you. Please can you get in touch with our Patient and Family Liaison Service on 6152 4013 (Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 4.30 pm) or anytime at FSHFeedback@health.wa.gov.au so that we can commence a full investigation into your experience and provide you with a plan going forward.

Kind regards,

Neil Doverty

Group Executive Director

Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group.

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Update posted by millimeterkx36 (a service user)

My original story has been edited.

I have to say the Emergency staff were great - please note I was not given a discharge letter / notice only an empty envelope and told I would have one posted, when I followed up on paperwork over a week later is when I discovered I would not have an appointment booked in 2022 - (thanks to my GP I do now, who suspected lesions). After being visited by several doctors in the ward I was told this would probably just go away or could be carpel tunnel related and they had ruled out anything serious.

From my research with regards to demyelination disease or conditions, early detection is key and to be turned away by hospital is very concerning. Referral sent to FS hospital by GP was then forwarded on to Royal Perth by Fiona Stanley who rejected and sent back to FS - I now have an appointment to see a Neurologist at FS (but to be honest a bit scared after previously just being dismissed with no investigation & discovering that this is something in fact serious).

Response from Neil Doverty, Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Neil Doverty
Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 15/02/2022 at 6:10 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 16/02/2022 at 9:45 AM

picture of Neil Doverty

Dear millimeterkx36,

Thank you for your compliment regarding our Emergency Department staff – I’m sure they will appreciate your words, and I will pass them on to the team.

I understand that you have since been in touch with our Patient and Family Liaison Service. I have every confidence that they will be able to assist you to obtain the answers and information you require.

Lastly, I would like to reassure you that we have an extremely competent, capable and personable Neurology team here – you will be in safe hands and you do not need to be scared.

We are looking forward to looking after you and providing you with the excellent care we strive to provide all of our patients.

All the best,

Neil Doverty.

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