I am having a major flare up on my wrist. My local RA consultants can’t give me an appointment until February, I can’t afford to go private, my gp is fully booked and limited service. My job is at stake. I need a steroid jab.
Does anyone know a best course of action?
Thanks.
Just wondered if you have an out of hours walk-in clinic at your local hospital. Ours in in the Urgent Care Centre at our local hospital (not that there is much left our our hospital now) There is usually quite a wait, but you get seen eventually. But if you don’t have that, not sure what you can do, sorry.
Call 111 and ask for their help. If not call your rheumatologist secretary and explain your problem x
I am so sorry to hear of your suffering and the fact your job is at stake too. As others have said do you have a walk in service in your area? Do you have nurses within rheumatology who you could contact and explain how urgently you need to be seen. I really hope that you can get some help soon as February is too long to wait. Take care.
Would you see the rheumatologist at their routine clinic to have the wrist injection? We have an injections clinic normally so it doesn’t take time from the routine rheumy clinic but it’s been suspended for the moment. No joint injections for now! Oral steroids only. Can you ask your rheumy nurse if you can go on standby for a cancellation rather than wait till February to see anyone to do it? That’s just too long. Could you ask your GP to email or phone the rheumy to say it’s needed ASAP? I hope you can make this happen sooner. x
If you have a rheumatology helpline (usually run by nurses) I would call them first. At my hospital you have to leave a message but they always call back reasonably quickly, usually the same day. They can do joint injections and have always fitted me into one of their clinics within a week or so.
If not phone or email the rheumatology secretaries (the number will probably on your letters, but if not call the main switchboard and ask to be put through to them). Explain to them the problem. I’ve always found them very helpful.
The problem with walk in centres is they don’t have the specialist knowledge so I’m not sure they could do much but if you don’t have any success with the nurses or secretaries it might be worth a go.
That is not acceptable. Far too long especially as it is affecting your job. Keep ringing and trying for earlier appointment.
I was due for steroid injections on my wrists but having started 10mg of Prednisolone I didn’t need them. Severe pain, unbearable with carpal tunnel swelling and hand swelling... I feel your pain but nothing touched it till I started on steroids.
You could ask your GP for a short course of Prednisolone to knock it back down. Works for me.
Hi there west sussex by your "handle " perhaps that's where you live as I do. Although am stuck abroad due to covid restrictions. If you are near Horsham there is a drop in clinic at the little local hospital who might be able to help. Good luck.
