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Dr Adrian Bridge 2021-11-15 Person 1 5 0

I want to point out that Dr Bridge is a friendly and approachable Doctor, but he has shortcomings that have effected my life for good. A simple misdiagnosis from not listening and just trying to churn through patients resulted in this. I accept that it's as much a problem with the system and the over subscription of it as it is the Doctor, who is overworked and underpaid for his role in a GP surgery. I had been suffering identical pain on BOTH sides of my feet, stabbing through my toes and the top of the foot. Following a GP visit I was diagnosed with plantar fascitis by Dr Adrian Bridge. The odds of having this on both feet simultaneously is slim to say the least. It's also a pain that permeates from the heal and not the toe joints. Dr Bridge failed to listen, misdiagnosed me and ultimately allowed a severe case of Rheumatoid Disease to run rampant and ravage my joints for months: this has ruined my life. It took a further 9 months to receive correct diagnosis as I was dismissed by a second locum several months later, having already seen Dr Bridge, he was not interested in even looking further in to it and advised I continue foot exercises. By this time it had spread into my hands, knees and elbows. It was many months later Dr Farmer saw me and immediately suggested it sounded like Rheumatoid disease. Blood tests would reveal a RF score through the roof. A further 6 months went on before I even started any form of medication beyond steroids. 2 years later, my business, relationship and mental health has succumb to this disease and I am now virtually bed ridden on potent biologic immunosuppressant injections. If Dr Bridge had listened correctly treatment could have been sought sooner and delayed this outcome. Facts - went in with symmetrical pain across toe joints and ankles, having suffered for weeks. Symmetrical joint pain in small joints such as toes is indicative of RA and a blood test should have been done. When it was my Rheumatoid Factor and inflammation levels were sky high. Diagnosis - Plantar Facsitis: a pain from the heel caused by overuse. Highly unlikely to be both feet at the same time, let alone felt through toe joints. Result - A year before I could actually get effective treatment for what was obviously some form of immune disease in the joints. Most RA damage is caused early on and my disease is classed as severe and ongoing. Reason - Dr Bridge just didn't listen to what I told him. When I called back months later, he asked if I was still feeling pain in my heels? No, there never was any pain in my heels. This was the time a more understanding locum Dr diagnosed correctly. I accept that the course of this disease can run differently in many people, but regret a diagnosis wasn't made sooner and the biologic treatment would have therfore been started at a point I could still walk properly.