Can i book to see a rhumatologist

[AlexiMya1]

Can i arrange to see a rhumatologist myself .im getting nowhere with medication helping my pain and my doctor just doesnt seem to know wot hes doing he told me that wud be a last resort and it wud be a pain clinic where there is a long waiting list i have fibromyalgia by the way lol x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hello

I am not 100% certain of this, so if someone knows differently, please do say. As far as I am aware you have to be referred by your GP to see a Rheumatologist.

If you were able to pay privately that would be a different matter and you could book to see a private consultant.

One thing I would add is that it differs around the country, as to how your Rheumatologist works. Some diagnose you then just refer you back to your GP with a recommendation for some pain killers. Others see their patient regularly.

Out of interest who diagnosed you?

Unfortunately Fibro can be an extremely painful condition for some people. I have constant severe pain. I am on a lot of pain meds but they never take the pain away, they just allow me to live some kind of life.

It can take years to find the meds that work for you. Different meds work for different people. What have you already tried?

What I am trying to say, is that I personally do not think that there are any pain killing meds that take everyone's pain away completely.

Does that help?

Hugs

Lu xx

[georgiagirlamy]

I see a behavioral therapist each month and a pain doctor and they are very familiar with fibromyalgia patients and their pain. They are familiar with what each give me medition wise. I keep them informed. My behavior therapist helps me with the anxiety part of fibromyalgia and the possible problems I deal with. The pain doctor helps keep my pain under control. It works well.

[georgiagirlamy]

Also every one should have their vitamin D checked there is a certain blood test that you can take it is 00 H 25 D and an endocrinologist can take this blood and they will check your vitamin D I have found that my vitamin D was low extremely low like the lowest of low and that was during my worst flare up I had it tested again while I'm having another flare up and they could not believe how low my vitamin D was they put me on vitamin d3 to bring it up but I would not take it without having the test first. I think anyone with fibromyalgia should have there vitamin D checked because I believe there is a link there

[Regnofibro1 in reply to georgiagirlamy]

Mine is b-12 is really low. I also believe there is a link to the central nervous system. But that's me. I really don't know about how it works as far as rheumy over there. I know here we can but its better to have a referral if you are disabled. Because insurance may not pay off without referral. I know sometimes rheumy will call and get referral. But I do live in states so it is not really any help. Hugs

[AlexiMya1 in reply to Regnofibro1]

Thanks for replying x

[Hidden]

Yes, I totally agree with Vitamin D3 being effective, to ensure that the D3 is evenly distribuated around the body Vitamin K2 works hand in hand when taken togeather.

However, some cheap Vitamins are full of fillers and will calcify the arteries, so If your considering trying them, pls make sure you only buy a well known brand. Look at the reviews, xx

[panda60]

NHS referrals are done through GPs. Some private consultants will see patients without GP referrals but this can prove expensive I'm afraid, especially if they want to do blood tests which can cost more than the consultation. Best thing you can do is keep trying with your GP or is there another in the practice you could see instead?

[AlexiMya1 in reply to panda60]

Thanks i will see how it goes for a while with my gp

[Hidden]

Well that's what I done But your GP should do that for you , I would of thought , May I ask what medication are you on now ?

[TheAuthor]

I am so genuinely sorry to read of your issues, and I have pasted you a link to the NHS Choices cache on referrals, so I hope that you find this useful:

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1094.aspx?...

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

I did, I phoned my doctors and asked to speak to the duty doctor who then called me back, I told her I was unhappy with the care I was receiving in having my questions answered ect and that since no gp in the practice specializes or seems to have good knowledge of Fibro I wanted to be referred to a rheumatologist so I could have my questions answered and receive more adequate care. She referred me but not before telling the doctor I see monthly what I had said! I have an appointment to see a rheumotologist on the 10th of September now.

[AlexiMya1]

Thanks for reply i think i will try that one i feel like im just getting different meds thrown at me and none have worked x

[Hidden]

Sorry but your gp is wrong.... There is something called the Pain Clinic but that is a completely different community from the Rheumatologist. I am under a Rheumatologist who is based in a hospital and is a consultant or specialist doctor.

The pain clinic does not deal with the diagnosis or treatment of rheumatoid type condition and usually consists of a group of people including Physio's occupational Health Therapists people that are trained to deal with mental problems like depression and other people to help look at the overall picture of how to deal with 'Pain'. You have a general assessment in a group to determine what is the next best course of action, it is that that has a long waiting list,

Suggest you either 'push' your gp to refer you to Rheumatologist or talk to one of the other gps in your practice to refer you.

Good Luck

Jackie xx

[Hidden]

[Edited by Admin. I am entitled to a second opinion if im unhappy with my care and im LEGALLY entitled to CONFIDENTIALITY

[Keeleybee]

Dan do you no how to go about going private? And would you no an average cost??? thanks