Hospital Appointment

[Jackdaniel1983]

Hi There

I've just had blood results back from GP and he is certain I have RA, got hospital appointment in and was wondering if anyone could tell me what happens at the first appointment with consultant??

Many thanks, I'm a little worried

[JacquiThomas999]

My first appointment was chat with consultant who examined my hands. Then he sent me to have a hand X-ray. After which I met him again and he showed me the X-ray. Then I was given my prescription for Methotrexate, which I took down to the hospital pharmacy (it took them an hour as they are a restricted drug). He also gave me blood forms for 2 weeks later. And the help line number for the Rheummy nurse. Basically if you are put on Methotrexate you have fortnightly tests for 2 months, monthly for 2 months and then 2 monthly. Also I had a little booklet to record my blood results (the vampire completes each time she does the drugs from second test onwards). Also follow up appointment was given for 3 months. The drugs used to treat this horridious disease work very slowly.

I hope this helps.

[Beaches2]

My first appointment was very similar to jacqui but consultant examined all my joints. Had to strip off to bra and nicks. I wasn't given a diagnosis at my first appointment as he wanted more blood tests done first I suppose to help rule out other things and to try and confirm a diagnosis as my rheumatoid factor was negative. I also had X-rays of hands and feet.

I was also given a steroid injection to tide me over as I was in a very bad way......I started on methotrexate a few weeks later.

Hope it goes ok for you.

[Matilda_1922]

My first appointment was given a full examination. Undressed to underwear. Examined joints and had a steroid injection. Explained I had RA and to start methotrexate once I had the education which was a week later.

I had had various xrays and MRI together with blood test before my first appointment.

Wear clothes that are easy to get on and off

[Hidden]

My first appointment the consultant assesed all my joints hands, knees, ankles etc. asked questions of how you feel, do you feel tired, on a scale of 1 to 10 describe how your pain is with 1 being low and 10 being really painful. I was given leaflets on methotrexate and hydroxychoriquine, before starting treatment I had to have x rays of hands and feet, and also a chest X-ray, as with taking mtx they like to see if the chest is ok, before taking methotrexate, I was then sent an appointment when they had the results from my X-ray, to go and see the pharmacist for your induction to your prescription. Where they explain your treatment, the amount you have to take and how often daily, weekly etc.

Hope this helps

Hugs

Lady B 😊

[JacquiThomas999]

Oh dear. Giggles.

[JacquiThomas999 in reply to JacquiThomas999]

Just remembered... NRAS have an excellent publication talking about the process. Look on their website under the publication section. All sorts of booklets to help you through. Good luck.

[sylvi]

They will monitor you with blood tests,also i think they will give you steroids to help and some pain relief.I am not sure about drugs as they need to see how you go.xxxxx

[marie66]

My first appointment was fairly easy - my wrist hand and arm was still blew up like a bubble and had been so for months. He looked and feet knees and elbows and told me he had no doubt it was RA.

Gave me leaflets, sent me to xray and lastly gave me a letter for gp for steroids and methotrexate andbloods ddone every 2weeks. M x

[Kim-NRAS NRAS]

Here is the link to the NRAS Newly Diagnosed booklet that will take your through your next steps from here, what to expect and things you can do to be prepared and help yourself: nras.org.uk/publications/ne...

You could also call the NRAS Helpline on 0800 298 7650 Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:30pm or email [e-mail] - they can talk you through everything you should expect and put your mind at ease.

Hope this helps along with all the good info from everyone else.

Good luck and best wishes

Kim

[Sheila_G]

My experience was similar to Matilda but didn't have to take clothes off.

[Mandalou]

This time last year I had my first consultants appointment.

Had X-rays done of hands, feet, and chest. Blood and urine taken.

Had to strip off to bra and knickers and lay down and was examined head to toe ( including tummy button and scalp, apparently checking for evidence of psoriasis ) Had to say which joints were tender.

Then sat with consultant and went through a booklet and was asked questions on scales of 1 to ten regards pain.

I was told I had either RA or PSA but not to worry because first line treatments are identical.

Was given prescription for Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine but then after my first week on these got a phonecall from the consultant staying stop immediately because of my liver results.

Told to stay on low dose Prednisalone until any DMARDS prescribed took effect. Then taper off.

Started on Sulfasalazine prescribed over the phone which was the worst experience of the lot.

Then three months later Leflunomide which had an even worse effect on my liver than Mthx.

Now a year later am on Enbrel and Hydroxy. Suffer allergies to these drugs so have to take large doses of prescription antihistamines. But holding steady with my symptoms.

Not until third consultants appointment did they give me definitive diagnosis of RA.

Good luck Jackdaniel, let us know how your appointment goes.

Don't forget to pick up any literature you can and get the rheumatoid nurses helpline number.

Mx