Really bad day

[Goodwin69]

Hi All, I’m really struggling today so much so I have an emergency appointment this afternoon ( I’m even wondering if I can get there, hopefully painkillers will kick in before then) I really just want to ask what else I can tell them today ( as usual it’s not the same doctor) I’m at the end of my tether new pain today in wrists shoulders , but it’s mainly my usual ankles and arm , I have telephoned the rhymatology appointment and told them I will take cancellation any time any day , but can I ask the doctor today to speed things up 😢

[Boxerlady]

If your joints are swollen maybe take some photos in case they've gone down a bit by this afternoon. Otherwise just be really honest about how much you're struggling and ask if they can get you an earlier rheumy appointment. My GP rang the hospital rheumy on call directly and asked about steroids to tide me over and they okayed that but I think that it also speeded up the appointment process.

Don't put on a brave face, tell it how it is; mentioning inability to work and RA in the family might help too... Good luck and let us know how you get on 🤞

[Goodwin69 in reply to Boxerlady]

Thankyou for your reply , I actually took fotos this morning for my diary but good idea I’ll show them today, yea I’m going to really open up today because most days are like this just now x

[Lolabridge]

All I would add to Boxerlady’s excellent advice is to say how it is affecting your life. Are you struggling to do your job, move around, get up and down stairs, shower/wash, dress, walk, Shop, prepare meals etc. And there’s your mental health to consider too.

As I live alone, when these became affected by R.A., my ability to live independently was under threat. The GP and consultant took a lot of notice of that and it speeded up my treatment and referral to Occupational Therapy.

Don’t put on your brave face, tell it like it is on your worst days.

Good luck.

[bubblyalex in reply to Lolabridge]

I second the advice from Lolabridge and boxerlady. I live on my own also and had to have care three times a day for the last week and a half because it go so bad. Don’t try to make it sound better than it is. Be honest. good luck

[Goodwin69 in reply to bubblyalex]

Thankyou x

[Pippy25]

I can only second what others have said in their posts and am so sorry that you are suffering. I had to go yesterday to my doctors and told them of how frightened I am of falling and losing my independence as I've been passed from pillar to post for so long know it has reached a point where It's affecting my whole body. I hope that something can be done for you as quickly as possible and let us know how you get on wont you.

[Goodwin69 in reply to Pippy25]

Hi pippy25, got on ok he took a blood test that hadn’t been done , and the result of that may push my appointment on , he said the only fast track referrals were cancer. He also trebled my anti imflammatorys and prescribed a steroid injection if these tablets don’t work within a week 😢🤞

[Pippy25 in reply to Goodwin69]

Glad to hear that they have done some tests to try and either identify or eliminate the possible cause and hope that the increase anti inflammatorys help improve things for you. Thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Boxerlady]

It sounds as if you've made some progress at least. I had a steroid injection at my first rheumy consultation and it helped but hopefully the anti-inflammatory"s will work quickly.

[Angels54]

Yes you need to push on , I think we just put up with the pain , especially because of virus, this pain can affect you mentally and physically, Please listen to us , we just want relief from this disabling pain .