Awful nurse appt

[Elmo333]

I am so annoyed! I had an appointment with my new rheumatology nurse. She is completely new to rheumatology and was totally useless. She was nice enough but didn’t know anything. I’m seropositive in every way but as I’ve said before on here, I have RA which is currently palindromic in nature ie, the pain is severe for a couple of days in one joint then it moves to another joint and on and on. She said she’d never heard of it. Then, when I tried to explain that I get carpal tunnel symptoms in my hands sometimes due to RA inflammation in my wrist pressing on the median nerve to which she decided that I must have trapped nerve in my neck (my neck is totally fine, the hand pain it switches sides and is perfect in between flares). It has been a painful couple of weeks but she just said she wouldn’t change anything because I was ok today!!! I’ve been given the choice of staying with her (an hour away but with a really good consultant) or changing to a closer hospital with an experienced nurse but a new consultant. I don’t want to risk getting a rubbish rheumatologist so I think I’m going to have to stay with her. It it’s a complete waste of time seeing her. Very frustrated! Thanks for reading x

[sylvi]

Contact your closer hospital and see if you can ask the patients who use it how they find the staff eg; consultant and nurses. Go along and see for yourself darling.xxx

[sjhewitt42]

I understand how you feel. When I was first diagnosed 18 years ago the nurse I had was absolutely vile! How she could ever have been in a caring profession I will never know. I was diagnosed at 25 on Xmas eve with a small baby in tow and she told me that I just had to get on with it and they didn’t have a magic wand! Thankfully all the nurses at the Rhumatology dept now are knowledgable and helpful apart from never ringing me back! I would try the new consultant personally as it’s the nurses that do most of the care. xxx

[Sarahg62]

My rheumy nurse changed about 18 months ago. Previous one was fantastic, new one not so. I also have bursitis and asked to get an injection. First she said, we don’t deal with that as it’s not arthritis ! Then she refused to sort out an injection, had to wait 4 months till I saw my consultant. 18 months in, she is improving, so there is hope.

[helixhelix]

I'd say a good consultant that you get on with is more important than the nurse. Perhaps she will improve over time? Anyway, now you know you'll be better able to handle her. What did you want her to change? As sometimes asking direct questions can help. "Will you do x, the consultant said this might be needed"

A long while back, when I was havering about adding in drugs and increasing doses I told the consultant that I'd think about it, but asked her to leave instructions with the nurse so that if I changed my mind the nurse would deal with it. She did, I changed my mind, and the nurse sorted it.

[Gigi71]

A couple of years ago my lovely rheumy nurse decided she had had enough and left. I was very upset, she always made me feel good when I saw her with lots of knowledge and kindness. My new rheumy nurse, very experienced, but just so different, seems very distant. Has got a little better, I wouldn't change as my consultant is very good. Good luck with your decision X

,