Flare clinic - not suitably attired

[Brushwork]

No idea what to expect as I haven't been to one before.

Mtx is not working for me. My ESR is up (for me anyway, is normally 2 even when I am flaring, but now is 6 {still low, I know}), my joints are stiff and my left wrist and hand is not good. My right knee feels lumpy, ankles are tender etc etc... What next I wonder.

Also I am not seeing my regular Rheumatologist! So I am a little anxious. I ask a lot of questions and won't readily agree to whatever treatment plan is suggested unless I fully understand it. The ultimate awkward patient! My regular rheumy listens and answers all questions and is willing to discuss and negotiate if I am not happy.

Eyes are sore and I am really not looking forward to the 2 hour drive to the hospital and even less so the return home.

Go gently everyone..

[Pippy25]

I really hope things go well for you today and it is a productive appointment, however I do understand your anxieties as very often I have gone as prepared as I can be to appointments only to be shot down in flames or on the odd occasion pleasantly surprised. Sadly for me the former outweighs the latter. Again I don't think it's taken into account the effort we put in to not only preparing for the appointments such as questions, diaries, collecting results from other appointments from different hospitals, alongside the getting up, dressing and getting ourselves ready(and may be others such as children off to school, dogs walked etc), then like you I have a journey to travel to and from most appointments, the parking and location of the appointment within the hospital. It's all one huge effort on our part and having the stamina when you don't feel good or are flaring badly can be so deflating when the appointment perhaps doesn't go well and feels so good when it does. So Brushwork I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will be ok, I hope that things will be explained fully so you can make informed choices about your health and once you get home rest, have a little treat and be kind to yourself.....gently does it. Take care xx

[Amy_Lee]

I can understand the frustration. Very sorry that you are in such a situation. Yes, your ESR is very low but beside this what was the reading of your CRP? Sometimes one can be ok but the other may still be high hence one may still swollen inside. We need to get these 2 indicators before the normal for RA to be under good control.

[Aliceeliza in reply to Amy_Lee]

Never had ESR taken, my clinic seen to rely on CRP. Diagnosed in February CRP 26 now down to 3 feelin better but not well yet but not seen anyone for 5months.

[Amy_Lee in reply to Aliceeliza]

CRP below 5 is the normal range. Suggest to check the ESR also as sometimes one can be good but the other can be elevated.

Over here these 2 will be checked at the same times always.

[springcross]

I'm sorry to hear MTX is not working for you Brushwork. It seems several people are not seeing their regular rheumatologist, maybe they're back on the Covid wards again. I hope you get on really well today and are pleased with who you see. Good luck. xx

[Gnarli]

Here's hoping for a positive result today. Wishing you well

[Boxerlady]

Keeping everything crossed for you 🤞💐

[Marionfromhappydays]

Take it steady with the driving x

Good luck

[Neonkittie17]

Hope it all went well and you are resting this evening/early night. That’s a long drive/stressful day. 💗

[Summerrain14]

I do hope it was a productive and useful appointment for you. Such a long way for you to go and even more so when driving must be so difficult with your flare up. x