First Video Rheumy Appointment on Monday

[Brushwork]

I haven't seen the Rheumatologist since last year, so I am probably due for a consult. I have a 1.5 hour drive to attend the Rheumy clinic, so if the video appointment works, it will be a relief.

How do they do a DAS though, taking my word for 'I don't have any joint tenderness or swelling' probably isn't the best thing. Usually, when the Doc does her assessment of my joints, I discover that I have a lot more than I am willing to admit. When I say "well its a bit puffy around my ankle", she adds it to the list, while I think "but its ok". Are you stiff in the mornings? "No, not really" How long after you get up are you ready to face the day? "Oh, well a couple of hours, I have coffee and a nice hot shower, can't really face much before then".... What about Fatigue? "Well, not really, but I am struggling a bit with motivation and seem to need naps..." Generally, if compared to the best of health and wellbeing, on a scale of 1-100, how are you? Umm... this one gets me..... hahahaha.

So I wonder....

[Barrister]

Exactly! I had an email last week telling me that my rheumatology nurse appointment on 1st December (booked last December ) will now be via telephone and my first thoughts were “ how will she see if my joints are swollen and how will she feel my joints down the telephone?” It’s going to be a complete waste of time. Irrespective of the fact that I’ve waited 9 weeks so far for a steroid injection for a flare and I’ve still got to wait another 3 weeks (that’s if they don’t cancel the appointment as they did the last one.)

[janmary]

Sounds like me!

Perhaps the first question on the DAS checklist should be - do you always say you’re ‘fine’ whether you are or not?

🤣

[bpeal1 in reply to janmary]

🤣🤣

My previous rheumatologist would always ask “How are you?“ and I’d always reply “Fine, thank you”. Then she’d say “Now tell me how you really are!”

[Hidden]

Oh photos are good you can email them . I have a DAS app that I use on my worst days. This a handy way to keep track. I have levels of fatigue.Poleaxed , slow to get going and any activity that renders me useless the rest of the day ( need naps with these).. 1-100 scale well how much percentage of the person was I before RA is what I base it on I’m currently about15% on a good day 0% on a bad . That’s my scale

[allanah]

Lol😂. Hard, but dont be brave, complain!! Maybe its the best chance for people to listen to you actually say it as it is lol !!