Not been diagnosed but throat last night felt like it was on fire and now can hardly talk. Called 111 but could not help, symmetrical pain on feet, ankles,knees, wrists, hands and now back of my kneck.
Doctor has now finally asked for urgent referral but cannot give me a date, any suggestions would be great. Are these normal symptoms.
Just been told there is a 3 month wait in Redbridge for a NHS appointment even urgent ones, is this the norm?
It sounds like a typical flare but you would need confirmation from a Rheumatologist. Ask gp for strong NSAIDs and pain killers in the meantime
Hi Ivor
Any chance you could phone the rheumatology secretaries and ask what the wait time is ? If you talk to the secretaries they might say that they have got your referral or you may have to phone the appointments dept.
I tried to call the secretary but got VM that they work Mon to Wed only, phoned appointmentds who told me that doctor should have given me a link and password to book this, my doctor keeps saying that I don't have RA and it is vital but why do all my joints hurt have days when I have no energy. X ray of feet and hands show arthritis not RA but pain in both areas started within two weeks of each other. Previously I could walk for miles. I am getting desperate as realise that more damage is being done the longer it goes on.
So does your GP think you have
Osteoarthritis Ivor? Have you explored this possibility instead of focusing on RA?
Yes but my all my joints are painful, my feet have pins and needles and feel cold and wet sometimes when they are dry. I have felt very lethargic some mornings and have to lay still for a few hours. My throat suddenly felt as though it was burning and could not talk. All my joints were silent but now click when I move. I have lost one stone in a month.
The sore throat could be coincidental and nothing to do with your other symptoms. Have you tried the usual remedies for a sore throat? As regards the referral time I don’t think anything is normal at the moment, people seem to be having to wait an inordinate amount of time to be seen. Very difficult when you are in pain. You could try ringing the clinic to see if they have a cancellations list where you could then be called at short notice to attend (if you’re able to do that) some clinics do that.
Hello Ivor. Sorry to hear you’re feeling so awful at the moment. Do try salt water gargle for your throat...it may well ease but you need help too with the pain, so a further phone call to your GP to request help until an appointment comes through. Like you, I’m awaiting an urgent referral appointment (Warwick), emailed appointments secretary (details online), had a prompt reply from PALS saying 9\10ths referrals seen within 23 weeks ☹️. Fingers crossed for us both. Take care and good luck.
Hi Ivor
I think although I wouldn’t normally advise this is that I would go private for a one off to get a diagnosis either to say it is R.A. or not. If you’re suffering and your gp for whatever reason is not getting on top of it that would be what I would do. I don’t understand why your go isn’t at least giving you something to help in the meantime or are they?
Hi my GP is providing painkillers that help, I have been to see a private consultant and have had some tests completed but they are very expensive 2x ultrasound sound on my hands £650. To prescribe RA drugs they will not do and tell me this needs to be done by a rheumatologist with a 20 week wait. The GP told me to go private.
Not sure what kind of consultant you saw but I would have thought you should have gon to see a rheumatologist privately.
Get a referral to Broomfield Chelmsford. Their rheummy dept is up and running. I am there next week😷
The only other thing I can advise is to get a good pair of trainers with a soft insole( I wear sketchers) as normal shoes make walking very difficult for me. Just a thought. If it is arthritis it’ shouldn’t cause too much damage that you can’t walk within a short time, ie weeks. The pain is generally inflammation causing the pain.
Hi yes it was a Rheumatologist and saw her when the symptoms started initially she said it was not RA when it was only hands affected but now it has spread mailed her and she asked for further tests that are very expensive. My doctor has agreed to send her the results of my tests they have completed, but Doctor advised if she prescribed drugs they may not be available on NHS. Have had two blood tests today electrophoresis and anti nuclear antibodies, hope these may shed some light on this. My best doctor has not seen me but keeps saying it is vital.
ivor when you take you medication are you having a good drink to make they are going down properly if they sit there they will cause problems it might be acid so may need ppi blockers to help stop sweet drink honey yogurts peptacs peppermint all help but needs docs opinion as to whats going on
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