Ok phoned to get 1st consultant visit been told 7-12 weeks if non urgent 7months....only diagnosed 2-3 weeks ago with OA now being OA and RA with possible psoriasis
So as I am in what I think is termed a bad flare for 3months I am aiming to see my GP today. I cant just stay on what I have for my OA surely, as based on what I am reading I need something to stop RA making joints worse. I always feel ike I have flu without the 'snot' and quite light headed and fatigue which is not my normal OA which I have learnt to deal with.
Am I in my rights to fight for some form of treatment for teh RA whilst on a 7-12 week wait list?I presume I am as my body not happy.
You could phone the hospital where you have an appointment & ask if they have a cancellation list .... where if some one cancels you might be able to get an earlier appointment at very short notice.
Sadly though waiting is the name of the game in rheumatology....too few consultants & trained rheumatology nurses & too many people being diagnosed with RA.
Your GP may be able to give you some pain relief,,,,,but he won’t give you Dmards as most GP’s don’t have the training ...so can’t prescribe them.
Fighting for your rights as you put it,isn’t really the case.
Diagnosis of RA takes time & depending on the Rheumatologist you see ..different tests need to be carried out, he won’t decide what to prescribe until he has more idea of what decides he is dealing with.
Sadly the waiting lists are long for rheumatology! Talk to your GP about short term measures, but you will need to stop them well before your actual appointment so consultant can see you at your worst.
And as AC says try for a cancellation. You can also ask GO if they have any clout with that particular hospital dept, as sometimes they do and can push for quicker appt.
I need to check as I was on my own and absorbing I had it so need to ask all these questions my little book for the Docs is filling fast!x
Have you tried contacting the PALS dept at your local hospital, this happened to me so at a friends suggestion I emailed PALS and they were able to speed things up and get me an earlier appointment it's worth trying
Yes, I was thinking the same. It might be psoriatic arthritis, because of the possible psoriasis diagnosis... prayers you find answers soon and relief😊
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Link between RA and OA???
How do I carry on? :(
