First consultant appointment

[Marionfromhappydays]

I have my first appointment with a rheumatology consultant wednesday as to find out what is going on.

I'm SO fed up with trying to self diagnose myself , google can be a beast sometimes to someone who is unwell!

Just wondered what your first consultant appointments were like, what can I expect? To be honest they could ask me to do anything and I would to get some help !

Big thanks for everyone here, I remember weeks back I posted about my symptoms and was encouraged by you all not to sit a suffer but to get on at my GP (who has been lovely), I'm just hoping to consultant doesn't say they can't do anything (not that they should, I'm just worrying a bit).

I keep thinking when I go wednesday I have to channel Del Boy and say to myself "play it cool Trigger play it cool" !!

[springcross]

Good luck for Wednesday Marion. Don't forget to write down all you want to ask and also make a note of what you are told. If you can, take someone with you who can maybe help you with that as it's easy to forget what you have heard (unless you have a good memory of course). All the best to you and let us know how you get on. x

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to springcross]

Thank you x

[springcross in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

👍 x

[Lolabridge]

Do have a look on the NRAS website to find out what to expect at your first appointment with the consultant.

Here’s a link to it:

nras.org.uk/3-specialist-re...

Don’t play down the symptoms and problems you have been experiencing. Do make it clear how much these affect you, your mobility and quality of life when they are really bad. This will be particularly important if your blood test results don’t show high inflammation or you are sero negative.

I agree with springcross that it’s helpful to take someone with you to your appointment if you can; there will be a lot to take in and you could feel overwhelmed and forget some of it. Otherwise it’s a good idea to take notes and ask to be sent a copy of any results or correspondence that will be sent to your GP.

Hope all goes well on Wednesday and that you can have your treatment started quickly.

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you x

[Lolabridge in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

My pleasure. We’re here to help each other and it can be so overwhelming at first. The best advice I was given was to forget Dr Google, do your research on reputable sites and NRAS is the best place to start.

[Hidden]

It is daunting your first appointment but remember they do this all the time and they will ask relevant questions. Don’t be a martyr but be honest even it is something you perceive to be irrelevant. Good luck keep us posted

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[HappyD34]

Hi, I’ve not been on this site for a while , still hoping I can slip under the net but alas I think it’s time I took the next step. My first appointment was really good but I felt in a trance and couldn’t quite take it all in. You have questions which you ask but when they answer I found myself saying “ok”. Take someone with you with pen and paper. Good luck and my advice is to use this forum, everyone is so helpful and supportive 👏

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to HappyD34]

Thank you x

[Deniseelk]

You have already had some great advice but I would say keep a daily diary of symptoms, photos of any swellings / mis-shapen fingers / toes / strange bruising / rashes, etc. Details of what you did as this may guide why a joint has flared, level of tiredness for example. You may be asked to slip on a gown so the Rheumatologist can carry out a manipulation of various joints to look for tenderness and swelling so think about clothes that are easy to remove. You may have bloods taken, an x-ray or an ultrasound. Take a list of any medications you are currently taking and mention any vitamins and supplements you take. If bloods are taken I would ask that they check your anti-ccp. This was fairly key for me as an indicator of sero -positive Rheumatoid Arthritis as all my inflammation markers have always been in range even though I have clearly had inflammation ( fingers the size of sausages with stretched shiny / spongy skin , hot and so very very painful)! Remember your list of questions to ask. Check you know of any auto-immune diseases within your immediate family as this helps their planning for diagnosis. Plan for a long appointment as some Rheumatologist get the tests carried out during your visit ( bloods / x-ray, etc). If you have private healthcare cover consider using it if there is a long waiting list for NHS care. Many use this option to get formally diagnosed then revert to NHS for their ongoing care and medication. Often the NHS Rheumatologist you see works privately too and can switch you over... consider asking them if this would be a beneficial option to you. If you are in a lot of pain / effects your sleep / ability to work talk to them about what you can do / take immediately to ease this pain whilst they put in longer term medication or procedures. Best of luck.

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Deniseelk]

Thank you x