I am new here. My mother has recently been diagnosed, having been ill and had various diagnosis for the last 30 or so years. She has very little mobility and has suffered a great deal of pain. They are not sure at the moment whether it is RA or Psoriatic Arthritis. She has had a hip replacement, but her recovery was so poor that she won't get the other hip done..She is 78 yrs old.
I have some of the similar symptoms and GP has agreed to refer me, as she is aware that early diagnosis is best.
We both have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroiditis) and I have symptoms of Sjorgen's and low cortisol (although SST ruled out PAI/Addison's, but ACTH was not tested). I am a member of Health Unlocked Thyroid UK.
I would like a recommendation for a really good rheumatologist locally please.
TIA
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PiggySue
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I have been sent through a list for making an appointment within a week of seeing the GP, but of the 4 choices none are at the Nuffield! I guess I go back and ask to be referred there? From reviews Joel David looks really good and appears to specialise in autoimmune, so would be relevant.
I guess it depends where you are. The NOC has a large rheumatology department. There are some very good rheumatologists on board. Some of them also have clinics in the smaller community hospitals such as Bicester and Chipping Norton, Banbury and Witney.
I have health insurance via my other half's work, but just want to see someone really good with autoimmune, because I seem to have so many autoimmune conditions, and a good rheumy appears to be better than most endocrinologists.
Omg that's great news, I live in Wiltshire but moving to Chipping Norton in a few months. I have RA newly diagnosed. I was worried leaving Salisbury hospital at this stage into my diagnosis but good to hear that.
Joel David looked after me for about ten years and he transformed the situation. He listens well and is sympathetic and supportive. But that was ten years ago.
I go to the Nuffield in Oxford, at the beginning I seemed to see any Rheumatologist that was free when my name was called again the same with the Rheumy nurses. It seems that you aren't alloted to a specific Rheumy.
I now do see the same Rheumy, but have been going 6 years now.
Good luck the all are nice, approachable, knowledgeable
Another here who attends the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.
My first few appointments were with the top Rheumy - I guess for assessment purposes.
I had a really super Rheumy for a couple of years but she left, since then I’ve seen various people. Now I am stable I am with an advanced nurse practitioner and she is fantastic! In fact she has helped me understand my RA so much better.
I have to say the treatment I have received at NOC has been brilliant, and I feel very fortunate to go there.
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