Had my appointment yesterday. I have a swelling near my right elbow which I can’t straighten and is painful. Consultant said was fatty tissue.
Pain in shoulders wrists and hands completely dismissed by them.
Managed to change methotrexate back to tablets and weekly biological. Says my inflammatory markers are normal.
That was it! Didn’t listen to me at all and next appointment in 6 months.
OMG I hate it when they do that!! I always go with my notes in hand and make sure I’ve finished my list and had satisfactory replies and reasons to my questions before leaving. This comes with experience as I’ve had RA for 22yrs and like yourself used to come away totally bemused and frustrated 😡😡 mainly for not standing my ground and getting the answers to my questions. Stand firm and they will listen! if not ,don’t leave until your satisfied, I know they are busy people and are limited to a time slot, but you need some reassurance and explanations until the next appointment. Good luck! 🤗 X
Thank you for your reply
My next appointment with the consultant is next year
I will take a list with me next time
You can always contact your Rhumatology nurse if your having problems between appointments. 🤗x
Yes this is available for me
I have to change this as called them last week still waiting for a reply.
Can’t even make an appointment with GP as my practice is merging with another. Can’t even request medication on line been disabled by practice. I’m going to try to call them this afternoon.
Hi Matilda. I wonder sometimes if the nhs in some areas are under so much pressure that they have no option to make appointments every six months. I am not going to go on about how brilliant that they h e been with me and support for my young daughter
6 months? My 6 months appointment last April turned out to be 12 months when the letter arrived, which has since been cancelled 3 times by the hospital and is currently standing at 18 months!
I think it’s dreadful how people are made to wait.
6 months is with nurse
Unfortunately thats the way it is now, Not enough RA specialists to go round. I'm seen every 6months by the Rhumatology doctor then 6months later by the nurse making it one visit a year with RA Doc, in an ideal world it should be every 3-4 months. Fortunately always someone at the end of the phone to speak to if I'm struggling. 🤗 X
Another appointment in 6 months? That's how long I have to wait for an extra quick one due to meds not working at all that were prescribed last time. The GP's written on 3 occasions to get that. I know my consultant is allocated just 7 minutes from calling you in, reading your current bloods/test results and history to having written up your notes, taken any action he needed to and be back in the waiting room calling the next person in. Not surprising it's rushed in there and I'd think most of us have had appts like that.
Hope your pain subsides soon.
My last 2 appointments with consultant sounds familiar. Don’t listen to you !!!!!
Maybe try calling the service might help.
Good luck x
Annual Rheumatology appointment 
NHS Appointment delays
Appointment
Rheumatology Appointment
Appointment with rheumatologist
