We’d like to know about your relationship with your G... - NRAS
We’d like to know about your relationship with your GP relating to your RA Please select all that apply
Nurse at hospital order's my injection's
Never see gp. All care at hospital
I have other endocrine conditions which my consultant does regular blood screening
He referred me quickly, but will not get involved with my RD at all. I'm am referred to the hospital with any problems. They never discuss my RD or ask any questions.
My GP (with whom I have a good relationship with) has told me he does not know a lot about RA, & in fact does not know how to treat me! When I do see him during a flare I have to tell him what I think is appropriate. I find this particularly scary!
I have a family history of cardiovascular disease, I've flagged this up on several occasions, nobody is taking me seriously and do. It know what else to do? Any advice please would be gratefully received.
Never see my own GP in group practice and when I do see someone they are next to useless regarding RA. I always go to hospital and Rheumy Nurse for treatment.
It took six months to get an NHS rheumatology appt. Six months later, I haven't even had a scan, let alone treatment.
I am paying for electro acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine.
I saw a rheumatologist privately, and again no scans or x-rays - the whole medical profession is a total joke.
Why do u need scans? Blood tests can diagnose u and give doc the info to choose treatment options.
I believe this isn't always the case K - some are diagnosed by ultrasound scans when their bloods fail to represent them. Tx
Everything to do with my RA is dealt with by the hospital, unless there is an emergency ie need for a pain injection. Hospital is very accessible and supportive, so do not really need to burden GP.
I have recently had an annual RA review with GP.
If and its a big if I can ever get an appointment with my GP you can only discuss one ailment now we all know that with RA there is never just 1 thing, they don't seem to have any real understanding of what it's like or how to treat especially during a flare. I used to be able to get my bloods done there but now I have to go to the hospital which is a 30 + mile trip GP surgery only do blood monitoring for INR patients as they have someone off on long term sick and are short staffed, doesn't matter about the rest of us 😢
I've changed GPs since I developed RA in the late 90s. Then a young GP dismissed me with 'wear and tear' ignoring my family history of RA. My new Gp practice are very supportive although they don't know much about biologics. Yesterday one came to my house to do a blood test as I could get to surgery ready for my next infusion.
Took 6 months to convince GP to refer me to hospital.Despite all my symptoms he kept insisting it couldn't be RA as I wasn't a"hunched up old lady with deformed fingers!"- his words exactly! GP surgery has reluctantly taken over my blood monitoring and prescribing of injectable MTX as now delegated to them by hospital although I did have a difficult handover period- had to sort out all the problems myself.If I have any RA queries I have to contact hospital-they have a RA helpline but only answer on two mornings a week as so busy.They are usually very helpful but always short staffed.
Just seen this - I had the absolute opposite experience to you. The GP I saw for painful hands - fingers, thumbs, wrists, really achy and sore, exhausted etc and he said he thought I could have RA. I said to him 'but I don't have deformed fingers' and he said that I didn't need to have them, that if people were treated early enough then they needn't have them. He packed me of to the fast track rheumatology clinic and I came out with a prescription for 12 weeks worth of steroids (tapering off) with a plan for hydroxychloroquine to be gven by my doctor as follow up if the steroids worked.
I've just contacted the surgery to see if I have to wait until the steroids finish or on the strength of my amazing recovery if I can have the DMARDS right away and I got a phone call to say a prescription will be ready for me on Friday, the wait is only because the pharmacy person is away at the moment. I don't know how I would have fared with other members of the practise but I'm well pleased with my treatment so far. Long may it last.
Hi. As I'm reading this it's as though I have written it. Same with me. My work place was just as bad and I'm being forced to reduce my working hours too. Thankfully I have a brilliant RA team. And the nurses are brilliant too. When ever I went to see the GP's at my surgery, They had a prescription for yet more useless tablets for pain. One GP said to me. " Erm what can we give you this time, Lets go up the list,". Felt really deflated until I demanded further blood tests, Took them over two years to get them and by that time I was really ill.
They also helped when I needed to change rheumy because the previous one was negligent.
I felt myself very fortunate that 39 years ago my GP referred me to Rheumatology following just one trip to his surgery. Successive GPs have worked well in conjunction with the hospital; one refused to give a steroid injection when I was unable to get to hospital but I thought that was fair enough. When on MTX this was prescribed by GP. At one stage I was given a bone density scan but did not want the HRT offered and have had no monitoring since. My current GP's wife works in rheumatology so he probably knows more than most.
Took years to even think about RA, they just kept saying it was osteoarthritis then I had a major flare and GP referred me to hospital the consultant dismissed it as RA, even though my rheumatoid factor was up. A year later an even worse flare and GP referred me back to the same rheumy who was so different this time probably because he was wrong previously! However the cardiovascular side of things has never been mentioned. I have seen a vascular surgeon who says I have very poor circulation in my feet and legs, but no referral to cardiology and up to now nothing being done about it.
it took a few years for me to be told I had RA, I had terrible pains in my knees and swelling up, had both my shoulders in agony and was told had buritis also told I had tenderitious in my elbow, knees, and ankle. and just before they decided to test me for RA I could not move my arms above my waist and my fingers were swelling up all the time. they then said maybe its RA and did a blood test! once the blood test was done the doctors could not do enough for me and have continued to be very supported. One of the partners sat me down to explain what all of this would mean to me , about blood tests all the tablets and arranged for the hospital to contact me too. I just wish they had done the blood test many years before.
Sorry to hear this I went to the doctor and he did blood test's that morning and with in two days he was on the phone to me tell in me he was make in appointment for me to see rheumatologist were I was diagnosis with rheumatoid factor and and anti-ccp positive and osteoarthritis so I am thank full to my doctor
My GP referred me promptly when RF test came back really high. He keeps up with my condition, but lets my Rheumatologist take care of that problem. He addresses all my other issues, and refers me to other drs as needed. I LOVE my GP!! 
I mainly see the consultant at the hospital but my Gp is great. He ensures my cardiovascular check us done, that my steroids for RA don't affect my sugars too much and will inject my joints as necessary.
They even went to the rheumatology department to update on RA knowledge when I got very ill.
I think they are excellent .
Was referred really quickly but for all RA problems I speak to hospital. Lots of blood tests are done and they check calcium levels etc. Other than blood pressure checks no other cardiovascular checks are done.
I don't see the GP for RA they don't get it! If I am ill I need to be careful which Dr I see at my surgery, as they don't all understand the meds and how they effect the immune system, I have often had to explain my meds to the GP which makes consultations awkward Gp's don't like being challenged! I did have an amazing Gp who researched my meds but unfortunately for me she left. 😦
My RA nurses write to the Gp to remind them to treat any infection seriously as I have been dismissed when feeling poorly by Gp's then infections take hold and are harder to treat.
Alison
My GP retired the next isn't much better but there are others I can see who are up to date with RA
I have great team at the clinic
Never see GP. Only care is hospital Dr.
Treated at hospital but gp always there if I need him. Never had cardiovascular assessment at all in regard to rant. Am taking methotrexate chloroquine and humira
Doctor prescribes my Methotrexate & salazopyrin & folic & Calceos
I use hospital and GP. I didn't know about most of those risks to us having RA 😕
My original GP (now retired) suspected it was RA all along, but it was only when my ESR reached 85 within 6 months that he referred me to consultant. I have a lady doctor now, and have my blood tests done at the health centre where she is based. All other monitoring is by consultant. I never bother my GP about flares for any of my autoimmune diseases (RA, Sjogren's, Vasculitis). Consultant arranges my Methotrexate injection delivery and adjusts the dose if necessary. She also advises the reduction of my Prednisolone.
I was referred by a locum but even then had to wait three months for my first appointment on attendance I was asked why I was there as the letter sent by the locum didn't tell them anything hence my appointment wasn't with a consultant.
I have my bloods done monthly by the practice nurse, but when I have a flare it is me who has to recommend treatment as there understanding of RD is very limited. doctors don't tend to stay long at my surgery we have had some very good GP's who have been very clued up on this condition and were able to drain fluid from my knee without me having to attend hospital however he didn't stay either.
I attended outpatients department to have steroid injections into both of my hands and was informed that in future there would be no need to attend hospital for this treatment as GP's were being offered training to do this procedure, unfortunately this doesn't appear to be happening at my surgery.
Most of my care is from the hospital
My GP is useless, no idea about RA or any auto immune diseases. I've been told to get used of the pain.
GP surgery does my blood monitoring & my GP is good about prompt reaction to infections. Cardio-vascular monitoring is done by the surgery too - Scottish Govt requirement. However, with anything else, he's like a rabbit in the headlights & always leads with 'How long is it till you're back at the hospital?'
I manage flares myself and have carte blanche to do as I see fit with my pain relief, anti-emetic, omeprazole etc.
See RA consultant periodically. Never had a cardiovascular check. Never had review of my medication at doctors for any ailment I have .been on one particular medication for about 20 years without a review.
I count myself incredibly lucky to have a brilliant GP. She referred me to the hospital at the outset and is supportive, knowledgable and accessible if I have concerns or worries.
I also get marvellous treatment at the hospital. I read time and again that others aren't as fortunate as me, so I count my lucky stars. It really is a postcode lottery.
My Rheumatologist prescribes my methotrexate and Remicade. My GP prescribes my pain meds.
Had to see 5 different GPs to get referred to the hospital. When rheumatologist wanted to prescribe first DMARDs I got 2 leaflets to chose if I want MTX or Sulfasalazine first, at the same time he sent a letter to my GP to prescribe MTX. When I got back to GP and told him I would rather take Sulfa he seemed clueless, went to Google and found out what is the "right dosage". After a month I saw rheumy nurse and was in tears from the pain/frustration. It turned out that I was taking "child dose" as she said. Since that I always call the helpline if I have any RD related problem.
Strange poll as there isn't a single one that I can tick, so I can't vote for anything! Needs to have a "none of the above" answer.
Just changed my GP. Only had two appointments for my RA, have been pretty effective so far
Chlo
X
GP's tend not to want to "interfere" with Consultant's plan of action and refer me back to them, only to have to wait ages for a hospital appointment and then see a locum/someone that doesn't know my history. Often a complete waste of time and 40 mile round trip. Feel like I am caught in the middle, between GP and Consultant.
my gp said it was all in my head just get over it , so i waited until i saw my consultant as i have got primary biliary cirrhosis and explained that i was experiencing a lot of pain in both legs . He changed the dosage of one of my tablets and let my gp know and he said to make an appointment with gp for blood tests . Which showed that i had low vitamin d and RA . So since then i didnt have to wait that long for an hospital appointment.
When the GP first suspected RD I was referred immediately to Rheumatology. I feel very lucky as the GP I now choose to see has an interest in rheumatology. He never takes chances and is very thorough. The surgery now prescribes all my medication and I have just been told I can now get monthly bloods done by the practice nurse. I wasn't aware of any other tests needed.
Sue. X
Even though my hospital rheumy sees me my doctor at first had no idea I had RA ie: was not on hic screen ubtil I told him which was scary as he could have given wrong medication that would interact with drugs I am on. But the hospital deals with it all and the nurse is great but due to cutbacks things do go missing and I have lost a fantastic rheumatologist and he has been replaced by one I don't like a very rude one so I am in the process of changing at the same hospital which is quite stressfull !
Hello Beverley
My old GP practice was very proactive
At this time my hospital appointments have ceased caused by not been able to take dmard medications, They just dropped me that is at my new area.
My old specialist knew I was unable to Dmards and I was reviewed yearly or when required.
I have not seen much of my new GP they know my condition and they have just left me on the medications I have taken for a long time. I was discharged with sciatica in both legs and I have an appointment to be seen in two weeks as my sciatica in my left leg is causing stabbing pains.
BOB
My gp was great when i first went to see her, unfortunately she has been off on maternity leave twice since then and i have had a complete nightmare with other locum's. Have now had to change Dr and think this one is better.
My GP has no phlebotomist and I always end up with bruises when he does my blood tests, so I insist on going to hospital for them.
My GP tries to prescribe MTX injections, but sometimes the pharmacy can't get them, and then I only get 4 at a time, whereas the hospital gave me 12 at a time.
I am unable to get a sharps bin via the GP so I have to get one from the hospital.
It took 2 years before I was correctly diagnosed, and then only got the right diagnosis because a locum was there who recognised my symptoms.
Life has got very stressful since my care was passed to the GP. I had such high hopes.
I often think I might change to another practice, but I worry they may be even worse.
My G.P did blood monitoring for a while until last flare. When surgery do it I always get called back due to enlarged red cells MCV I think being high. Rheum Nurse says G.ps not specialised and don't understand it is due to arthritis. Never had a cardiovascular check even though on medication for high B.P.
Just been to see him to sort out pain releif on advice of Rheum Nurse, he has been giving me repeats of same analgesia for over 10 years.
When I have a flare they are good and give me steroids. Other than that if I ask for advise tht say I have to talk to the hospital.
I have very little contact with my own GP in respect of RA although he is always helpful and interested if I do see him. My main points of contact are my Rheumatologist and Rheumatology nurse.
My early referral was by a locum GP and I was able to see a Rheumatologist within 1 month. I was eventually was prescribed Methotrexate tablets 4 months later and then for two years I was refused any other drug treatment than Methotrexate tablets.
Eventually my GP helped me change to another Rheumatologist at a different hospital who took over my care. Since then I have had an excellent relationship with him and also with the Rheumatology Specialist nurse. I take Humira, which I get from Healthcare at Home and Methotrexate injections, which my nurse prescribes and monitors with blood tests. I feel very lucky and well cared for as I can help quickly via the nurse, either by phone of email and she can also prescribe the drugs I need. Last time I saw her she also gave me a steroid injection there and then after consulting the Rheumatologist.
I never see my GP for a flare as none of the doctors at the surgery understand the implications of the drugs I take. My main GP has told me that I know more about the drugs I take than he does! While I like to understand my condition and drugs that doesn't inspire me with confidence.
I get my repeat prescription for methotrexate injections from my GP, other than that nothing. If I have any questions I ring my Rheumy Nurse leave a message and she usually gets back to me within 24 hrs.
Doctors surgery told me my consultant at the hospital was the prescribing doctor so my consultant has to sort my meds. They are great for blood monitoring but knowing how to access assistance or even what is available is not clear via the GP or even consultant. The health care service is not joined up and this does cause issues, hence organisations such as yourself are ever more important.
Even though there is shared protocol between GP and rheumy, my GP always tells me to contact rheumy nurses if I have any problems, he is not happy to give me steroid injections due to my diabetes, but even though in the main it is under control.
Jan
My GP has no interest in anything to do with my RA. Appears to know very little & doesn't seem inclined to learn.doesn't even seem to know contraindications of other drugs not to combine with my medication.
Thank goodness for my brilliant rheumatologist.
I was fortunate last year, after a frozen shoulder then followed by finger swelling and pain my GP immediately did blood tests and then informed me that they had come back positive and he was referring me to Rheumatology.
Trying to book weekly blood tests at GP surgery was a nightmare and I ended up having to be quite assertive and told the receptionist I was on a chemotherapy drug. No problems thereafter.
GP admits he is not expert on RA and prefers that I deal with the Rheumy team. I developed a lesion on my eyelid and went to GP 2 months later after it had enlarged. I was referred in February to ophthalmology rather than dermatology and was finally seen at end of July. Ophthalmologist stated that I should have been seen sooner as GP thought it might be a rodent ulcer. The lesion broke down and started bleeding then it got badly infected. It eventually turned out to be drug induced lesion that cleared up when the drug was stopped a month before my referral appointment.
My GP practise nurse called me in for an annual RA review, height & weight were done, blood pressure and usually RA blood tests and cholesterol. My haemoglobin and RBC were low and the nurse wanted me to continue with weekly blood tests until seen by my GP. I saw the GP for his part of the annual review and he wasn't interested in my blood results just stated it was anaemia due to RA and to switch to monthly blood tests. He was bemused by the annual review, stated he wasn't the expert the Rheumy team were and this was just a paper exercise to tick boxes that it had been done!!!!
My old GP surgery insisted I did not have RA & probably only referred me coz an out of hours GP suggested I did. My new GP surgery do all my repeats & two GPs have sorted out pain relief, especially when Methotrexate made me unable to take Co-Codamol. The most helpful people to me are the prescribing nurses at my new GP surgery. They will increase my DMARD dose, which I suspect a GP would not. They send me for blood tests because the hospital ones do not appear on the GP system. They referred me to Physio. They will answer any questions I have. The rheumatologist .... well, he diagnosed me, started me on DMARDs, referred me for insoles. When I needed help he suggested I took paracetamol. The rheumy nurse I have met once & had to be emailed to remind her to speak to the Consultant about methotrexate side effects. The helpline is manned by the Consultant's secretary who is lovely, but limited in what she can do beyond pass messages. I am planning to request a change of hospital very shortly.
My GPs have been my lifeline where RA has been concerned. They referred me promptly in early 2011 with a positive RF and high inflammatory markers plus bilateral joint pain in knees and wrists. They even started me on a DMARD in the run up to my first rheumatology appointment - knowing that I'd have a long wait to be seen. I have two GPS and the man is the most knowledgeable - he reads up and is well informed but admits to being out of his depth with me often. Both GPs have said that they have learned a lot from me as a patient with a complex presentation of RA.
However, sadly I will be leaving for a new GP practice now and I don't expect to get to know the new GP in the same way. However I will have a new rheumatologist and a rheumatology team I can access and a helpline for the first time so I'm hoping this will compensate for losing such good GPs. They have asked me to let them know how things go or if my diagnosis changes - to email in a year to update.
Hi,
i am considering changing my GP, I have been on naproxin for 3 years and my GP failed to give me imeprozol (to protect stomach) 7 weeks ago one of the other practice GPs took me off naproxin as he diagnosed a stomach ulcer ( without endoscope) then 4 weeks ago had a flare up went to GP explained the situation that naproxin keeps me held together and that my ankles are swollen my GP then said she doesn't need to see my swollan ankles, I asked for stronger pain meds as I could not cope then gave me steroids and tramadol, a week later my ankles being worse and my knee swelling this time wore a flip flop on the worse foot so they had to see it and used my crutches and said it is getting worse asked for stronger pain meds, this time gave me OxyCodone and I agreed to contact rhumy office, I phoned that afternoon to get a call back the following day which didn't come, lunchtime that day the pain got so bad my wife phoned my GP and said we considered calling an ambulance as I was in so much pain their reply was there is no need to be doing that my wife then asked for her to get us into the local hospital to get help, I went straight to AMU and I had a week in hospital with poly articulate gout and ra flare up, I'm still on crutches cannot walk 2 weeks out of hospital. I would like to add my mother is a hypocondriac with the same GP and I think this may have all occoured because of this.
I think all GP's should be "Up Skilled" in RA and its far reaching consequences for patients lives and activities, My rhuemmy dept seems swamped and increasing GP knowledge would help, paticularly around use of Anti TNF treatments
My GP is good although it took her a while to refer me to the rheumatologist. She said my symptoms were hormonal or just osteoarthritis. Since my diagnosis of R A my main care is now at the hospital but my doctor helps if necessary . She recently gave a short course of steroids to enable me to get to the UK for a shoulder appointment. I was having trouble walking with hip ligament and tendon pain.
She's good,but I probably know more about the disease than she does. She looks at my blood tests and says R A under control as there no inflammatory markers. Actually I am seronegative and have never had any!
I have several conditions so my Blood work is important . My GP . Never discusses my R. A. I see an immunologist . I have been diagnosed for 4 years . I know I have had it Longer . So I have been on Several Medications .
I never see my GP since being diagnosed with RA. I can get in touch with rheumy nurse all week, I usually leave a message then she gets back to me. All blood tests etc are done at local infirmary
I am on a clinical trial and my RA nurse is a little gem! No sure what happens once the trial ends though.
take a year to first appt at rheumatology and one year and two months for secont appt and all that time one scan and two physio appt ,on the secont visit i say i dont leave with out ok for humira and was done my as is so much better now 3 months later take the inj ,next appt 6 or 8 months i think i dont care i have my humira and is al good
Terrible its a real struggle and they can see im struggling my doctor thinks im in my 30s im in my 50s and he said im too young to be suffering he go on my looks NOT FAIR i dont wear makeup either whsts my age got to do with my problem can i help it my dad was GOOD LOOKING i look like him bless him ....nightmare im changing my gps.....
I have the mxt on repeat prescription but they don't seem that interested in talking about the RA
I can't see anything... Is it just me?!
Not sure but with the survey being posted 3 months ago the link could have been deleted because the info's been gathered?
You worked some magic, nomoreheels: as soon as you posted, the survey questions appeared!
It looks like they're the results, I don't think you can still vote. You can of course leave your experience but it may not apply as far as collated info is concerned.
It let me vote and at least appeared to count my vote...
Ah, maybe on-screen it's different if votes have been placed & because I voted the link's no longer there. My choices appear underneath the chart. Pleased you could vote though.
Me too
Terrible gp have to fight tooth and nail to get support.... but now ive got hospital appointment after 3 months...so there is a light at the end of tunnel....
What is orderpadic thats whom im booked in with at hospital
Orthopaedic? If it is the department deals with all things musculoskeletal, this link will explain nhs.uk/conditions/orthopaed...
I am newly diagnosed. I don't have a named GP, but saw one 3 weeks ago. She ordered the blood tests and called me as the readings were so high. Then she referred me to the local hospital and put me on steroids (I can't take NSAIDs) and calcium and vitamin D tablets. I was lucky, on Wednesday got a cancellation for the hospital. Now on DMARDs. So the road starts here.
No my gp well this new one ive seen once and beleive you me once never again...put all my troubles down to my weight...even thou ive got proof from xrays of ra ostes...so wen i saw my gp he said that someone had tried making new notes about me...confusing to say the least..it eas that stupid doctor who insulted me...thank god my gp is the BEST....and still sticks to his decisions correctly...i feel you have to be careful what gp you see...as for instance they do not read up about you..just look at you and make judgemental comments...which in my book does not make them fully qualified gp.....i rest my case or i will get in trouble if i go on talking about this gp........
took gp 2 years to refare me to RA consultant then 3 months to get an apointment finaly got tabs but gp only gave me mtx stll in pain so rang consultants sec should have been on other tabs as well so much for quick dianosis ive since had a heart attack & stent fitted although my dad died aged 52 off heart attack i was not monitored butt still here
Following RA diagnosis my GP has been very good, phoning me if my blood tests show something concerning, and providing immediate advice. They've helped me through side effects and hospital admissions in the first stages of getting used to DMARDs. Unfortunately it is now my RA consultant who is letting both me and my GP down.
I don't through my GP for any RD related issues. I just had the initial referral.
Don't see GP anymore, I'm beyond his knowledge now regarding medications, etc.
I should have shared care with gp and hospital. My GP doesn’t know much about RA usually asks me to call Rhuematology department with any concerns.
My GP practice is small has one full time and they don’t usually stay very long. Usually around a year
I never see doc all medication order on line see nurse when I ring for appointment
My GP was boss! He was great and knew how to help me during a crisis, very rarely would I have to bother with the hospital. Unfortunately, he retired in September 2017 and I am terrified as the new GP is useless, doesn't care and does absolutely nothing, so during the last two crisis I have had I have ended up calling my nurse specialist and she arranges for me to come into hospital because the GP doesn't respond to her calls. I don't go to my GP anymore.
My GP is completely in the dark when it comes to my RA.
It rather depends on which Doctor you see at our practice, I wasn't referred quickly as an emergency and would have been 5-6 months before seeing the NHS Rheumy, luckily through work I have BUPA, so used that initially instead. There is no way I could have waited that amount of time - I am not sure what I would have done! No real support from GP's going forward - just seeing people at the Hospital. Although people talk of Rheumy nurses and a helpline on here - I haven't been given any information from my GP or Hospital regarding these services................
