1st app with resume nurse.

[Diddydriver]

Morning everyone, I hope the cold weather is not affecting you too badly.

After seeing the consultant 8weeks ago, on Monday I am due to see the rheumy nurse. I am not sure how this will go and how much I need to tell her. I am a little worried that she won't have a lot of time to listen to all the things that are concerning me. I don't really know in what order I should list them. I have 5 things that I think I need to say 1) How MTX affects me. 2) How RA is affecting me. 3) blood results. 4) Antibiotics. 5) Future drugs if any and what prospects. At the moment I don't think I am doing that well, the MTX seems to be working but only for 2/3 days, the pain is increasing in my feet and ankles with more swelling. I don't have any record of my blood results as the nurse at the Drs didn't know what to do even though they are on the computer. As I also have COPD i have to keep antibiotics in the house in case I get a chest infection, should I tell her about it?

There is something else that I would like to share with you!!!!!!!! After smoking for many, many years and quite a lot too, I have not had a fag for over a week now, so fingers crossed I can keep it up. Do I tell the nurse this or do I wait and see how if I can ditch the fags for good?

Thankyou for reading this, I am sure that someone will reply as you are all so kind and very helpful. Without this forum I don't know what I would do.

Have a great day. X

[Diddydriver]

Sorry about the title ( must be brain fog ) or maybe it is the computer presuming that was the word I wanted. It should be 1ST APP WITH RHEUMY NURSE. ugh flipping computers at times make me so cross.

[farm123]

Generally the ra nurses have a different perspective than the consultant and are as much about you as the disease and many have as much knowledge as the consultant as how we are affected personally. It is probably best to tell them everything then they know what you face and how they can help (well hopefully) and take your list to ensure you cover the points you want. They can also suggest or make appointment with other health professionals such as physios and occupational therapists if necessary. If you don't already have the details also ask for the number and times of any helpline they offer if there are issues with meds or joints between appointments. Farm

[helixhelix]

Oh well done you for going a week without fags! I gave up (after 50+ years) when I was diagnosed with RA and the first week was the toughest. After that it got easier. And now I'm so glad I gave up as I'm sure it's helped get my RA into remission.

First thing, since it's your first appointment I should sit tight and try to go through as much as you can. Write your list down and have it in front of you so she or he knows that you want all your questions answered.

You do need to tell her how you're feeling, even tho' it's early days you should be starting to see some benefits. And when the nurse says "how are you", don't do the automatic " not so bad thanks" but say how you really feel! And I have a booklet where I record all my blood test results which I got from the nurse, so ask if they do the same.

Also you should tell her about the antibiotics as there are a couple of them that you shouldn't take with methotrexate so the nurse should check that the ones you have are ok (write down the name of them on your list).

And I'm sure the nurse will praise you hugely for going a week without fags, so do tell her as it also shows you're really trying hard to help yourself.

My nurse is very nice, so I hope yours is too.

[Hidden]

Hi Diddydriver,

first of all Well done! for going a week now without a cigarette. We know that this is going to have a massive positive effect on your health. Do tell the nurse everything it helps them enormously to know as much as possible. As HelixHelix said there are some antibiotics that cannot be taken with MTX so please do check before taking anything. Your GP may be able to help you with giving up smoking. They can prescribe things like patches etc.

Please persevere with the treatment. It can be a little bit of trial and error in the early stages but hopefully in time when the treatment takes effect you should fel a lot better.

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Smiler53]

Hi, I can help you with the blood result - I made my own up after the hospital ran out of them. I think I will have to do a post to get it on or I will have to email it to you. I will try the first option and go from there. Look out for the post Blood Result Card.

Best wishes Smiler x

[helixhelix in reply to Smiler53]

Here's a link to the MTX monitoring booklet that has a section for recording your blood tests.... This is what I use

nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/EasySiteWe...