tHE mAD dENTIST

        I had had immediate pain in my right thumb and the next day I noticed I had NO PULSE in my right radial artery. I saw my GP and he referred me to the Orthopaedic Consultant. I had seen the Cardio surgeon about the pain in my thumb and the lack of pulse but he seemed totally disinterested in both proudly showing me, by “Doppler” investigation, that I had blood flow. The pain in my thumb was excruciating and I now had NO pulse in either hand and only a recordable blood pressure in my right.

Another GP, Dr B SHeehan said forcibly that I could not have a blockage of the artery because if I did “then my arm would go blue and fall off”.

       In April 2007 my right thumb was so painful (the Cardio Surgeon seems to have lost interest in me) and so my GP sent me to the Hospital Physiotherapist who prodded and wiggled my thumb and made it all SO much worse that I did not sleep overnight. So I rang NHS Direct and they suggested I went to Casualty. I saw the Casualty Doctor and had a Radiograph taken of my right hand.
 

       He then showed his indifference as he prodded and twisted my thumb saying “Does this hurt” and smiling each time I said “Yes”. His manner showed, to me, that he didn't give a damn. He said I had broken my Scaphoid bone. I disputed this as I could use my thumb except it hurt like HELL. (interesting as a symptom of a haematoma can be mis-interpreted as a fracture)  He showed me the radiograph and said I HAD broken my scaphoid bone and needed a plaster splint. I had seen the radiograph and said I could not see a fracture.

An argument occurred and I prudently accepted the splint as I was being watched by security. The nurse practitioner was extremely rough in placing the splint whilst ignoring my pleas for sense.

I mentioned the lack of pulse in both arms and she took great delight in tapping both my wrists and saying “see there it is” I  returned in agony the next day and had the cast removed and somehow signed a form to that effect.

       The next day I went to the fracture clinic where I was shown the Radiograph and was told “I HAD NO FRACTURE OF THE SCAPHOID BONE” (Even I could see that)

He said it was rheumatism and as I take Warfarin I have to suffer it. It is extremely painful even now. AND STILL NO discernible pulse.

       In the Orthopaedic clinic the following week the Orthopaedic consultant also said there was NO fracture of my scaphoid bone, he showed me the radiograph, and said I had arthritic problems which could be helped with a cortisone injection in the joint but this was contra indicated because of my Warfarin intake. Painkillers were also contraindicated for the same reason.

I had to learn to avoid use of my thumb which was difficult as I had had to make adjustments to counter the sensations in my left arm

and now could not use BOTH hands to anything like a full extent.

Following the bypass and due to the fact I was now no longer on Warfarin I was referred back to the Orthopaedic Consultant.