Well, yesterday was my visit to the rheumatologist. But let’s go back to Friday when I rang the GP after seeing the pharmacist on Thursday. My right shin and left ankle, which were both badly bruised after a second fall in three weeks, had become swollen and yellow/white inside with what looked like pus but there was no break in the skin. The pharmacist was very concerned that it may end up ulcerated and told me to contact the GP if not improved the next day. Friday I phone the GP and battle with receptionist who needs to know exactly what’s wrong as they are running limited service and she’s only doing her job! A few hours later GP rang sounding very p’d off asking what was wrong. I explained I have Lupus, am on steroids, have fallen a week ago, badly bruised but now have egg shaped lump on shin and area on ankle that are extremely painful and feel about to burst but no break in skin. “ I think this is just normal bruising and you’re just not used to it and it should resolve itself” she says. No it’s not it’s a huge lump and it looks like pus and pharmacist said to phone. No it’s probably just normal, I can send in photos but she won’t be looking at them as she’s going home someone else will. End of chat, I sent photos in immediately. 3 hours later still no reply so I phone, speak to different receptionist. She looks, oh yes they arrived after the doctor left she’ll take to another doctor who phones me 5 minutes later. He says it looks very painful and prescribes antibiotics and strong painkillers saying he’s worried it may ulcerate. Husband picks up medication at 6.30pm as directed.
Monday I see consultant. Went with my list and photos as haven’t seen him since early this year. Since then I’m unable to walk up town (4minute walk) and use scooter etc. Tell him about falls and show photos and explain about GP. Takes me to examination room. They are not bruises but haemotoma. The feeling like they were going to burst was the pressure from inside. Unable to get out, the blood has then tracked down my leg into my foot and ankle which has produced what looks like another fresh lot of bruising. Normally he would pierce the spot but he knows that if he does I will have an ulcer which may never heal and won’t risk it. Says it must be very painful. I was sent for X Ray, no damage to the bone but there was a tissue mass over it. Back to the consultation. I tell him a scar from a hysterectomy when I was 36 has started repeatedly weeping and is very sore, I was concerned it was related to the steroids. He asked what dose I was taking. 10mg a day which I have been for a year or so. He looked a bit shocked and there was lots of “Oh, um. Er, oh, right. I am SO sorry I haven’t been able to see you as often as I would have liked. We need to wean you off the steroids ASAP starting tomorrow. But they have helped you haven’t they?” So it sounds to me that I have been on this dose, higher than it should have been and longer. I keep on saying here on this forum and to my husband “ why am I on10mg when lots of people are on 2.5?” He said both the hydroxychlorequin and Prednisolone have an aspirin like effect on the blood making it thinner! The plan is to go down to zero in 8 weeks. The last time I went to zero I had a massive flare. He wants to see me in 8 weeks but says I will really have to push them to make the appointment happen. What the hell is going on? I have been having my prescription just repeated and repeated with no review and now we have to keep pushing for a required appointment. What a drama! Sorry it’s so long.
Frustrated after Rheumatologist appointment!
Telephone appointment with Rheumatologist
