PocketMatrix

I had one of <a href="http://health.allrefer.com/health/bone-scan-nuclear-scan.html">these </a> done today. Fun fun fun.

cool!

I R WHITEBOI!!!

I've knackered my right leg. If start walking briskly, after about five minutes the middle of my shin goes nuts and hurts like hell for about five minutes, at which point it mostly goes away. However, I can still feel that something is wrong with my leg all the time.

I ignored it for quite a while, then went to the doctor who told me to rest and go see a physiotherapist.

The physio then did eight sessions which didn't help at all and shipped me off to a specialist.

The specialist has three theories (in "most likely for my symptoms" order):

1. periostitis: my leg bones are inflamed (hence the test today) - if it's that then I can hopefully just take anti-inflamatory drugs a while

2. compartment syndrome: if the muscles in my legs are too large for the space between the bones when I start warming them up they expand and get crushed and mangle nerves... - that one will take surgery to correct

3. shin splints: my muscles have been over-developed in the wrong areas and are happily shearing bits of bone off and creating fractures - that one takes rest to heal
4. other

All the tests are to work out which one of the above is my problem. I walked out of the specialist with no less than six prescriptions:
1. X-ray for my spine (slight deformation of one vertebrae, slightly wrongly curved, couple of discs slightly too far back.. but otherwise ok)
2. Today's radioactive fun
3. More physio
4. An MRI
5. Drugs
6. A complete examination of the way I walk to get some special insoles for my shoes

All that coupled with an eye infection have set my new yearly record for going to the hospital/doctor and it's only June. :S

It's certainly a completely different experience to going to a hospital in the UK. They've taken their time with me, explained things, sent me for all those tests, and the most I had to wait was an hour (only because I had to go see a local doctor 'cos mine was on holiday).

So, a small, affluent country's health service gets the thumbs up - quelle surprise

A close relative of mine who has cancer was expected to wait 12 months for an MRI scan.

Three cheers for our glorious European healtcare systems!! I too have enjoyed many excellent tests, procedures, competent, friendly staff and outstanding hospital stays, and it didn't cost me a cent.

God I just love Europe. We're still kicking ass where it counts

Well, strictly speaking, Holland isn't kicking any ass. You've left it to England and the US.