How awful for them to cancel your appointment!! Oh I'm so sorry that you are in alot of pain. Sulfa & hydroxy did nothing for me either.

I wonder if you can "jump the queue" if you go to the ER?

Poor you, your doctors are treating you appallingly badly. You need to get control of your condition before joint damage is permanent. Can I suggest that you start putting things strenuously in writing to your rheumatology team? I email my Rheumy nurse and have a reply within 24 - 48 hours. There should be an urgent access clinic that you can attend - what about a call &/or letter to your Rheumy's secretary or even directly to him/her? You can't continue like this so please be much more forceful and demanding. Wishing you the very best success. Clare x

@suzannedale - I can't believe there are still people in this day and age that can,and do,prey on the sick and vulnerable - I truly believe in karma and I hope these delightful people get what's owed to them... hopefully sooner rather than later!!

And I'm so sorry that you had to endure that to realise the hard way.... their is a word to describe vultures like these,but I certainly couldn't type it on here!!😤😤

AgedCrone is correct in that getting PALS(patient Liasion) involved would prob be the next step in order for anything to be done promptly,or chase up your GP,and get them to write a letter on your behalf explaining how the delay is effectively making your symptoms worse,I did this after they cancelled a very long awaited appointment just weeks before it was due,and then rescheduled for 7 months later!!! It ended up with me seeing the rheumatology nurse for the first time,but she did more in that one appointment than all of my rheumatology appointments previously - it was down to her that I was put forward for Enbrel,as at the age of 42 I felt that I had no life quality at all,esp as I was reduced to having to use a Powerchair at that point too - I literally looked like someone else from the waist down there was so much swelling and inflammation going on.... just having clothes against my skin used to irritate and flare me up too at that point - so to go from a gym bunny at 40,to being in a wheelchair at only just 42,I was desperate to try anything. She truly was/is an angel,and she could see straightaway what I'd spent months trying to get my consultant to understand. There are definitely ways of dealing with cancelled appointments,and I think the two methods already advised(pals or gp) would be the best place to start right now.

Good luck x

GO TO A&E. xxxxx

Hi I just wondered if you have your consultants secretary's number because that's what I do if I can't get through to the help line at my hospital and she usually pushes things quicker I live in Scotland and it might be different where you live , there is nothing worse when your in constant pain and cannot get a hold off anyone hope you get things sorted out xxx

If it was me I would go to A and E at the hospital !! I don't know.where you live..but it sounds like the rheumy depth at my hospital in Essex??? Useless Hooe you do get some result and will be feeling better soon xxx

Contact the rheumatology secretaries, get an email address for the secretary of the Rheumatologist you usually see (although these days anyone is lucky to see the same person) and put all these issues in an email to them. I find that usually triggers a phone call from the rheumatologist and an appointment in the near future. Good luck.

I'm in the same position doctors don't listen either that or don't know what to do, I've been in constant 24/7 pain for seven years now it's in every bone of my body I had breast cancer six years ago and the tablets I'm on also had side effects of arthralgia (joint and bone pains) and to top it all had blood tests done two weeks ago and had now put me on atorvastatin for high cholesterol with side effects of muscle pain I stressed to him in already in constant pain but didn't seem to listen in 72 but apart from pain am a very independent person and not ready for a box just yet why don't they LISTEN!!!

You may be able to find the rheumy secretaries phone number on your hospital website.

I had the heavy chest , ra awful feeling , nothing helped till I got on enbril. It take up to 3 mounths to work for pain, some say it's not good for the pain . [ still waiting , looking into that. But it's a hole diff world for me to not have that mental foggy feeling and heavy chest , body feeling. Love love it. Just pray it helps my joint pain , I guess the inflammation causes the pain..I'm working on answers..but hey what ever doctor that cares, I say get the meds from them..I wouldn't made it without my family doctor hearing me and going the extra mile to find out what was wrong with me..then she found me a great rhurmy

Hi I was in exactly your position last May, couldn't get any help from any where...I was seriously considering ending it all I was in such pain and despair......Get someone to take you to A&E ...that's what I did and I was kept in for 3 days, and saw my own RA consultant, given an infusion and I've been well looked after ever since... You really do have to shout loud to get the help you need my friend...

That is absolutely insane. You need treatment. It sounds as if you need a biologic like Enbrel or Humira. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis (another form of inflammatory arthritis) and went through something similar. The help I got from changing my medication was incredible. I don't know how the NHS works, so I don't know how to help you. Can you go to the ER and say you are going to kill yourself if someone doesn't help you? Because that may be the truth.

Wow that sounds appalling and I genuinely

Hope that something gets sorted for you soon.

I'm reading all these posts and thinking wow! I feel extremely lucky I'm in Scotland - I have regular rheumatology appointments, always see the same Consultant and if I need to get in touch, always get a call back if not same day, then the next.

To me, this is the way it should be for everyone? I would definitely take further action and as has been suggested already - if all else fails, present to accident and emergency department.

Wishing you the best and a swift resolution x

Marie

Treza, I'm so sorry, but this bl###y PC has a mind of its own and decided to send an early email to you again!! I guess what I'm trying to say is that perhaps you could get someone to take you to the clinic and demand help. It's not easy, I know, but why should you suffer when there's no need to. They will help you when you get there. It's your body and your pain. Back yourself, respect yourself, you deserve help. The system is letting you down, don't let yourself down. Please, please be brave, and don't be embarrassed about caring for yourself. You're human and being treated inhumanly.

The NHS is in crisis, it's doing its best, but please bite the bullet, like I did, and I'm sure you'll find caring people who will be horrified to know that you're suffering.

Good luck Treza.

Minty.

Hi very sorry for you,I think most of us are the same every think seems to be getting a little better,then a big flare up, blood tested are done if you are lucky enough to get to see your Remertologest,they come back showing very little flare up,you just want to sit down and cry,another medication is added, it easy things for a little while, all we want is a normal life, there is no answer,it makes it a bit easier for me as I am retired,feel for you as you are still trying to do a job,my Remertologest appointment has been canceled three times,its going to be three month before I can see her,last time she wanted to see me in 6weeks nightmare. Thinking of you Elizabeth