Hospital on Monday

[Piglet007]

Hi to all lovely’s

I’ve been quiet but reading about you all and it’s amazing how we seem to answer each other....similar symptoms etc. Anyway I wanted to reach out in advance if monday. You may remember I’ve been taking triple therapy.... now for 17 weeks... and the last three weeks steroids to get me over the hump to Monday. I’m going to the main hospital and not the rheumy clinic, adjoining and I’m wondering why that is and what to expect. This is my first consultant appt since diagnosed in June and I suspect he’s thinking the therapy hasn’t done what he’d hoped? I’m not confident when I stop these steroids that I’m going to be ok and whilst I’m not pain free I’m able to live and move better than what I was like three weeks ago. I read with interest marionhappyday re shingles?... I’ve had a nerve thing going on in my left flank back... itchy as hell and whilst I’ve noticed this occasionally over a few years right now on all these meds it’s constant and has been since June. I think there’s got to be a connection to this and nerve, and autoimmune?.... ive also read with great interest re being able to continue on these bloody drugs and what’s more important? I look awful, I’m dark eyed, my skin is blotchy, itchy all over, low in my mood, no zest for the life I had and I’ve put up with it thinking I have to......but do I?.... I guess I’m reaching out to ask for advice for Monday.... do I insist my back flank is looked at, should I ask if there’s a correlation between all my side effects and should I expect them to X-ray me etc? Thanks as always

[Marionfromhappydays]

Good luck for Monday, I think the steroids play a big part in mood (well they do for me) oral steroid make me have a very low mood and very anxious so it might be part of why you feel low .

From my very limited experience (developed RA in May) alot of things have to be tried and sort of suck it and see attitude is applied. Everyone is so individual I don't think the Dr can say for sure if something will work. This is so frustrating and bloody painful to put up with , I think the early stages of being diagnosed suck but it seems things do get better. I know its not much consolation at the moment but We will find one that works hopefully sooner than later.

I'm not sure if it is shingles but its something I get when I'm run down so think mtx is beginning to work on my immune system, I would tell the consultant everything whilst you are there, appointments are few and far between so say everything !

Good luck x

[Piglet007 in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

That’s really interesting what you say re being run down and what you experience when you are run down. I’ve never associated my ‘nerve’ tingling back thing with being run down and I’ve never given any thought to these DMARDS actually lowering my overactive system as the days go on.....and on..... anyway I hope you feel better and that things are improving for you on the methotrexate...... I hate taking it..... but I’m hanging in there and I’ll have a list of stuff to fire at him on Monday..... he’ll not know what’s hit him 🥊😊