Frustrated

[Ralphoscar]

Bloods done at doctors , rf 106 , my referral to consultant isn't until 30th July ! I'm on no medication yet 😔So frustrated and in agony with flare ups , so much time sick off work , anyone have some good advice for me ?

[Ralphoscar]

I live in worcester

[Ralphoscar]

My doctor is re writing to them for a earlier app so hopefully !

[Summerrain14]

Really hope you get an urgent appointment.

[Hidden]

I found hitting the phone once a week to see if any cancellations pre first meeting was good but I also noted when I did speak to the rheumy team I explained how bad I was feeling and they got me in. I got my Mum to do this for my step Dads COPD and they got seen 7 weeks earlier than planned appointment.

Make sure you are ready to drop everything if they can see you that day!!

[Hidden]

I’m so sorry you have been left to suffer. My Friend is a doctor he said no one should be left in pain . Waiting till July is unacceptable. You live in worcester and I know the NHS has problems in your area with hospital closures and other news worth problems. You live close enough to Birmingham ask for a referral to one of the hospitals . The QE or City hospitals have good Rheumatologists. Unfortunately you may have to fight your corner. If the pain is unbearable a visit to an A&E may fast track to you getting help.

Please keep in touch don’t suffer

[Lolabridge]

Keep pushing for an appointment very soon or you could go to A and E as someone else suggests.

Or, if you can afford to spend about £150, ask GP to refer you to a Consultant in the private sector. Once diagnosed you can get started on some appropriate medication and switch back to NHS. I did this and it worked for me.

[patsymay13]

Yes as everyone says keep pushing for an earlier appointment, I was like you having to wait for 6 months so I went private and was seen in 3 weeks then pushed back into the nhs system, are you taking any pain relief from gp?

[lilyak]

Yes, keep pushing for an earlier appointment.

A&E are unlikely to help. They will see you as a chronic condition and likely just refer you back to your GP.

Go see your GP. Your GP can prescribe steroids or other medications to reduce the inflammation and pain in the meantime. The idea that you shouldn't take steroids before you see a consultant is a complete myth. You need not suffer until JUly.

Having said that, tell your GP how bad things have become and ask her to write you an urgent referral. July is too far away if you are in a constant flare state. Your GP likely doesn't realise how bad things are, and there is a lot she can do to help in the meantime, if she can't get a sooner appointment.

wishing you the best

[Anniebl24]

Something similar happened to me. I called round the hospitals and found the next county had a much shorter list. I got the GP to open up the referral to that county and booked within a few weeks. Just be aware if you go out of county they cannot see your medical notes/ blood test results etc, so print everything to take with you.