A Bit if Advice Needed.

[pip12]

I am only due to see the Rheumy Specialist in October. Have only been seeing her once a year for the last couple of years. At the moment I am in complete agony with my back, hips and groin and can hardly walk. Do they let you see them sooner if the your in a right state or do you have to see your own GP first ??

[Mhairi54]

Do they have a helpline for your rheumatology dept? They might bring your appointment forward if you phone up and explain just how bad you are feeling.

[pip12]

Yes they do have a help line but they don’t always answer. She has a secretary but I feel a bit awkward ringing her. Just know I have to get some help from somewhere and wondered if anybody has brought their appt. forward.

[Hidden]

If you have a rheumatology helpline I would ring them. If not see your GP and hopefully he/she will contact rheumatology.

Sorry you feel so rubbish. My GP has in the past given me a steroid shot.

[Hidden]

And yes, my appointment was brought forward and I was seen at the flare clinic.

[pip12]

Tbh she is a bit of a funny ossity and plays everything by the book. I am I so much pain at the moment anD feeling so low I will ring the helpline in the morning (if I can get through) and ask them if she will see me. Thanks for the help x

[Billybongos in reply to pip12]

Yes ring the helpline . I'm sure they will help you

[pip12 in reply to Billybongos]

No, I am in Merseyside.

[summer32 in reply to pip12]

Are you in gloucestershire?

[pip12 in reply to summer32]

No, I am in Merseyside.

[popsmith1874]

I would ring them tomorrow and say you can't wait any longer due to the pain and hopefully they can fit you in xxx

[pip12]

Thanks pops I am going to. Nothing is touching this, not tramadol, co-codamol or oral morph. Movement is just total agony x

[Pat9442]

I have rung my local helpline several times when things have been really bad. The consultant - and the nurses - always tell me that they would rather I rang than struggled on in pain. I think they are all brilliant

Go on, ring them

[pip12]

Thanks Pat. I will definitely ring them tomorrow, just got to the stage I carnt take much more of it. Cannot even sleep with it anymore, get about 1/2 hour and in so much pain wakes me up and then agony trying to move xxx

[helixhelix]

Are you sure it is your RA? It sounds as if it could equally be a mechanical problem with your back, or sacro-iliac joint so might be worth seeing your GP anyway.

[pip12]

Hi Helix. Not to sure what it is. I suffer with RA, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis. The specialist told me in October that the RA was in remission. I have suffered with collapsed discs in my back due to the osteoporosis and I know my hips are iffy with the osteoarthritis. This pain is now in my neck, back, hips, groin and thighs stopping me from walking. Just don’t know what to do. I’ll try the Rheumy in the morning and if no joy see my GP. I think the GP will just refer me back to the hospital though xx

[Hidden in reply to pip12]

Hi pip12, I've got pain as you describe. I paid for a private MRI Scan because I'm claustrophobic and the private scanners are bigger and there were 9 discs burst and prolapsed in my spine and neck. Have you got any pins and needles or a feeling like "a tingly tight circle round your ankle?" I bet you have slipped another disc. It's very painful as you describe. Is there anyone locally who does traction privately? I hope you can get some sensible help from your Clinic. If not get back to me and I'll give you the contact details for the private MRI, but it is about £250. Kind regards.

[norwegianjock]

Me personally I go and see them first, you are all ready known to them and part of their patient repeat list. So me I would phone them straight away tell them what's what and they should get you in too see them asap. If they say to you get Dr too rerefer you just tell them straight that you can't wait that long and you really do need to get get seen to asap,, let's know how you get on Gentle hugsx.

[Kb5417]

I’d ring helpline and leave a message if they don’t answer they should phone you back. If that fails I’d ring the secretary and explain that you need to be seen sooner. October is far too long a way away to suffer with a flair up as you don’t know how long it will last for. Also they may need to change your medications which again would be better sooner rather than later.

Xx

[CloudTreeDrive13]

Wow. I have my appointments and see consultant alternating with the rheumy nurse every 6 months. A year seems an awfully long time. Have a good day and take care xxxx

[helenlw7]

In the early days and before all these cutbacks I used to see a rheumatologist nurse once a month and she would speak to the consultant if I was really bad, then he would see me. She has long gone and I see the consultant twice a year, but on a couple of occasions when I’ve been really bad my gp has emailed my consultant and he’s either told my gp tomup my meds or sent me an appointment.

[DelicateInput]

It does sound as if it is a back problem, not RA. I had something similar on Good Friday. The clues to RA is if it comes on suddenly with no history of accident/trauma, arthritis and disabling stiffness which improves as the day goes on. I had minor wear and tear on a CT scan 15 years ago but if I exercise regularly and use the jacuzzi at the gym for massage, I don't feel any pain at all and even then it has never been much. I have had severe osteoporosis (now near normal with HRT Tibolone) but it does not normally cause pain - only if your spine collapses and I think that only happens to very elderly people.

I think it would be worth requesting an MRI on your lower back - there are thousands of causes of back pain, and you have a good reasons for one.

In my case, re Good Friday, I've been to the gym seven times since and each has brought an improvement so now it is near normal. I could hardly get out of bed and could not bend to use the loo on the Friday morning. Therefore, I know it was the RA because of the stiffness.

I had an MRI done on my back in 2012 and the result was superb - so no back problems. It cost £200. However, the NHS has improved for scanning since then and you should be able to get it done. If not, it is worth considering. I got it ordered by an osteopath - there are several centres who do cheap scans out of hours in Central London and elsewhere.

[DelicateInput]

Just another thought: in my area there is a trauma othopaedic unit (Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton) which is part of the group. Look on your local NHS website to see if they have one. You can walk in and explain your difficulties and they will do an MRI for you. I've a couple of friends who did that and were well pleased with the service.

[Pamelah5]

Hi Pip 12,

Contact the rheumatology Department ask to see the nurse They will bring your appointment forward, possibly give you a cortisone injection being in so much pain.

I Wish you well

Pamela x

[pip12]

Well I have rung the advice line and left a message on the answer phone. They “try” to return the call within 2 days so I will just have to wait now. Thanks for all your replies, will keep you informed as to what happens xx

[ABwn]

I would try to see your GP as well - just in case. Do you see the same GP and have you built up a relationship with them? If you have then they would probably help you in getting an appointment very quickly. Take care and good luck.

Wishing you well and pain free.

Astrid

[karenpenn]

Hi Pip12 i normally call their secretary and tell them the situation and they speak to the rheumatologist and make another appointment sooner. Good Luck