What's up doc?
IT'S about time our GPs started to earn their money. OK we’ve all heard they are understaffed and overworked just like the rest of us, but how long does it take to get a diagnosis?
They may have passed their anatomy exams but putting two and two together is beyond most of them? And by the time you get past the receptionist for an appointment, you're probably over the worst.
So when the sole of my foot started to shred like a portion of crispy duck, I didn’t bother with the doctor, I went straight to Damian my chiropodist/podiatrist who has been looking after my corns for years.
I knew he would sort it out and after a foot examination he asked me if my knees and hip hurt or had I ever had pains in my chest?
Funny you should say that Damian - I’ve been going to the doc’s for more than a year with assorted pains that wake me up in the night for no reason. I had blood tests and x-rays last but there was nothing wrong.
Damian showed me a diagram where the skeleton showed red pressure areas in the foot, hip, chest, and neck - all the places I hurt. Suddenly it all made sense.
Damian had come across this before when people have had knee replacements, and told me to go back to the doc to get my legs measured, he thought I may have one leg shorter than the other.
I mentioned it to the practice nurse who said she had never heard of it and she thought it was a load of rubbish, but I trusted Damian’s judgment and made an appointment with the doctor who measured my legs and found that one leg appeared to be 10cm shorter than the other!
We both laughed and decided the measurement couldn't be right or I'd fall over every time I stood up.
Months later, I've been sorted out with orthotics in my shoes. It's cost me a fortune because I had to sell all my shoes, sandals and boots on e-bay, all 23 pairs. And then buy new ones to fit the new insoles.
On the plus side my foot has healed nicely and I've got rid of the hip and chest pain. The downside is that I'm waddling around like a duck with daps on.