newly diagnosed

[car-p]

Hi, I been diagnosed with RA by a blood test via my GP. I'm waiting to see a consultant at the hospital, since April. Had a flare up last week and was sent home from work as I lost my grip and pain in the shoulders. I work on checkouts in a supermarket. Not a easy job. My GP has signed me off for 6 weeks. I don't want to stay off for this long.

[Gillian1163]

Did your GP suggest chasing up the hospital appointment? The Nice guidelines suggest early new diagnosis intervention

[car-p in reply to Gillian1163]

Hi Gillian, I went to the doctors on the Thursday before he signed me off. he was sending a fax to the hospital. Was considering going private but its the cost that is off putting.

[Gillian1163 in reply to car-p]

Let's hope that the fax works and you get an early appointment

[LaurieS]

I've just been diagnosed and went through much the same. My initial appointment with the consultant was assigned 12 weeks down the line, even though the GP marked it as urgent. But with a fax sent form my GP and a lot of hassling by me I got that down to 4 weeks. You need to get hold of the phone number of the rhumy department you are being assigned to, find who does the bookings and chase them, chase them and chase them again (but you need that fax/letter from your GP requesting an urgent appointment sent to them first).