Painful flare due to delays of transfer to new Rheumy team.

[Mall]

My RA has been well controlled with a combination of methotrexate, etanercept and nabumetone. Moving home and the gap in transferring from one hospital rheumy team to another has led to me being without etanercept for the last 3 weeks. Glasgow Royal Infirmary cancelled my Benapali when I told then I was moving. My first appointment with a new rheumatologist is not until 13 th April. The first two weeks without I was fine. This third week I have had a rude reminder about the debilitating pain of this disease, limiting mobility and self care. I just hope the move to England will not entail going through the whole biologic drug approval process again and accept that I had already been prescribed biologic drugs Scotland.

Has any one else moved between Scotland and England who could advise on what I can expect at my initial appointment in England?

[cathie]

I’ve moved from England to Scotland and it was seamless. Where are you in England? I hope your treatment gets sorted soon

[Mall in reply to cathie]

Thanks Cathie. I have moved from Argyll, where I came under Glasgow Royal Infirmary, to North Derbyshire and have been referred to the Hallamshire in Sheffield. Its taken me 4 months to get an appointment, my concern is that it wont be so seamless this way way round. You hear so many stories about the dire financial situation that nhs England is in.

[cathie in reply to Mall]

Absolutely, I fear you may be right. I was on infliximab and the Western just transferred me without a delay. What’s your GP like? When I lived in Oxford my gp was very helpful. I hope you get it sorted soon xx

[Kazwilks]

Hi

I hope you get sorted soon. Before I could start my treatment in may 2017 my rheumatologist just up and left the practise had to wait until November 3rd to see a new rheumatologist. He put me on biological drugs (don't know which one yet) unfortunately due to staffing shortages within the NHS my first appointment is 24th April i have been coping on steroids and co codamol. My joints are really swollen and painful I am appauled I have had to wait this long my own GP is disgusted with this outcome she has put me on morphine for the pain which to be truthful I only use when I'm desperate. I hope and pray your transition is a lot quicker. Sending hugs for pain free days x

[Mall in reply to Kazwilks]

I hope you get the right treatment for you following your appointment on the 24th. You may have to undergo some extra blood tests and X-rays before being prescribed a biologic and that can take a little time. I would like to avoid this process again and I just need someone down here to continue the prescription for Benapali that I was given in Scotland.