Morning all. I am still waiting for a first consultation after being reffered in August all I keep getting from doctors is that "you're on the waiting list someone will be in touch". I have been in so much pain this week,spoke to a nurse at my doctors who seemed concerned,got a doctor to call me back who was very dismissive,as I've had a bad reaction to naproxen there's nothing else she can prescribe but a sedative to help me sleep. My pain is during the day,but this week nothing I use has touched the pain...I suffer from IBS and ibuprofen upsets my tummy but I do take it. Last night I had a bad night,my IBS flared up but also my whole body was tingling I was freezing cold one minute then boiling hot the next,this doesn't normally happen with my IBS so was wondering if it could be due to arthritis. Just feel so drained today and don't know if I should call 111. I live alone and at 2.34 in the morning everything seems so scary 😨
It does sound as if you need some medical assistance. Living alone and being unwell is scary particularly when it is cold and dark ( I live alone too).
I would call 111 if you are not feeling a bit better today and most certainly would be arranging a further Drs appointment.
Thank you for your reply. I have always been so healthy and this year I have hit a brick wall. Called the doctor more in the last 7 months than all my life.....and I know this year has been hard medically wise and I'm not good at pushing for things,but getting so down. x
I’m so sorry that you are in this way ... does the doctor prescribe you with a stomach protector with naproxen? .. I think it terrible that you are left like this .. unless someone experiences our pain they just don’t understand how dibilitating it can be and depressing & alone ... have you tried a slow release codine for short term to tide you over as that what I was given first , it’s so frustrating not to be listened to and fobbed off to get on with it , it’s so hard at the moment as before you could just make doc appointment and be seen now it’s just a telephone so you can’t show them what it’s doing to you and when you get off the phone you forget to say something absolutely wrong , hope you get to see someone soon
Thank you essexgirl,I was prescibed lansoprazole but that upset me too. I tend to alternate between ibuprofen and voltarol for pain and co codamol when really bad.
Only person I have seen during all this is the nurse who did blood test....think once I get my first consultation I will feel better,have written down everything that has been going on. I do take a lot of advice from this site x
I’m sorry to hear you’re suffering so much and you obviously need help. It’s awful that you have been waiting since August to see a consultant. Do call 111 and ask their advice.
If you can afford it you could ask your GP to refer you to see a specialist privately to get a diagnosis initially. That can be done very quickly.
A course of steroids would help you so much but the GPs are not keen to prescribe them until you’ve been diagnosed. But these are not normal times and such a long wait since August is so unfair on you when you are in extreme pain.
I also can’t take NSAIDS like Ibuprofen for pain and so take Paracetamol or cocodamol when the pain is really bad. The latter works well but can be addictive so be careful.
Sorry to hear this and don't mean to sound abrupt but other people's problems do not diminish your's. Please ring 111 as you really do need some help and the sooner the better. Sending huge gentle hugs
Yes we all will think there are always be others worse off than ourselves, but you matter too! You deserve just the same as others so never think your problems are not as important/ urgent than others. Please don't suffer and take care x
Believe you me it is only recently I have made the first steps into starting to do this as I've always put others needs before my own, but know how much I have neglected myself in doing so. Now I am at a point in life where the people I loved and cared for are either no longer here or have simply taken advantage of my nature, regardless of my declining health and walked away. So as hard and as unnatural as it feels I am slowly learning to realise that I matter too. As awkward as it feels we all deserve to be validated.
Totally get all of that. 🤨 People often see a kind, empathic person and one who is tolerant of their problems and often they often won’t stop harassing. Don’t even stop to bother you’ve got a chronic health condition. I call them Clingons!! I am a tough cookie re my health so it was kind of unheard of for me to say I felt awful , until one rheumy said I want you to be honest to me and to yourself how you feel. It prevented me from going for higher spec meds sooner as I thought I was OK. Now I’ll be more honest as to how I feel. I too have had to let a lot of people go ... I have had to let most of this type drift to the horizon and wave them goodbye! My husband was begging me to do this for some years but then he gets his share of Clingons too. An acknowledgement of the fact we have RA health issues to deal with would be nice. I am never looking for sympathy but I guess we have to set tougher boundaries for these Clingons! We can help but not to the extent that we neglect ourselves. X
My hubby and I always ask if all is quiet in terms of any Clingons!! 🤪 Also I refer to the draining people as Dementors as in Harry Potter, sucking the happiness out of people! x
I think never has there been a time when we find out how strong and resilient we really are and who truly does care about you. Kindness, care and concern comes from all places and not always from the people you know and can see. I wish girlafraid well and hope she gets the support and care she needs.
Sorry that you are struggling especially on your own. I think your GP could be more helpful. As essexgirl says omeprazole may protect your tummy against the effect of the Naproxen. It's not acceptable that you are in so much pain. Not knowing how long you will have to wait for an appointment leaves you in limbo. I would make another telephone appointment with the GP and ask for more help with pain relief and ask about a tummy protector so you can take the Naproxen if that would work for you. Hopefully the doctor will listen this time.
Hi Biofreak,the naproxen made me ill so had to come off it and when I called nurse about an alternative she said that's all they prescribe now...you don't talk to the same doctor....it is a nightmare x
I am so sorry to read this. Yes phone 111. On the appointment issue I have been on a waiting list for an appointment which was due in Feb 20. I was recently advised to keep phoning appointment line to keep checking for cancellations. Finally got one for 7 January 2021. Could you do same? Alternatively ask GP if there is somewhere else to refer you. My friend who lives 6 miles up the road was seen far quicker than me in a nearby small town.
Hi Madmusiclover...I am so sorry about your situation.....I kept trying the appointment line and just kept getting recorded message,asked the receptionist at doctors to try,even they couldn't get through!.....after 3 weeks of waiting was told the hospital I have been reffered to was taking on more clinical staff the following week so I should hear something in next couple of weeks. ....then lockdown 2 happened. It is difficult to know what to do for the best x
You definitely need more help from your GP; I was offered a stomach protector by mine when I was told to take regular ibuprofen for a tendon injury (pre-RA) so you should be able to have something and I'm sure that there are others. Can you speak to a pharmacist about it meantime if case there's an OTC product that can help?
I was advised (by a GP, physio and later, a rheumy nurse) to take ibuprofen and paracetamol together (obviously following the usual dose restrictions) and have found that's more effective than taking them individually. I always take ibuprofen after food so never on an empty stomach.
I've had IBS for years and know how horrible it is. Tiredness and anxiety are my main triggers for flares so I'm not surprised that yours is playing up.
Thankyou Boxerlady,I like you follow all the correct procedures taking medication but have taken my paracetamol about an hour after ibuprofen I'll try both together and see if it makes a difference...and my IBS has been good for ages,but it's obviously not happy with something I've done...x
It's worth a try; the GP told me that studies had shown that taking them together boosted the anti-inflammatory properties of the ibuprofen. I find that taking a dose just before bed (after a snack) helps the morning pain and stiffness.
I presume that you've tried the usual things to help with the pain - heat and cold, gentle stretches and exercises, even just rubbing sore areas?
Yes I try everything to self help. I work shifts some mornings start at 6.30am and other days I don't start until 1.30pm and not home until 10pm.....I can't eat that late at night so do struggle on those shifts. I have put myself on permanent late shift on Saturday so I don't have all the heavy lifting in the morning. It's just being in limbo not knowing a proper diagnosis,and worrying that I am doing more harm than good sometimes
Do you have a walk in centre or a minor injuries unit (they cover sudden onset health issues too) near to you?
I think they are only open during the day but if you could pop into one of those and get an assessment they can get you an emergency appointment if they feel you need further treatment/diagnosis that they can’t provide.
Hi AgedCrone,yes we have a walk in centre,but I have no car and buses don't run through our village on a Sunday due to Covid.....I have called 111 waiting for someone to call back
Sounds a nightmare as your IBS is brought on by stress , which your RA pain is causing the stress .. I just don’t get that your GP can’t see that , just get to the root for flip sake ... they just don’t get what it does to people mentally
😊 I am trying to get on with my life as much as I can but it is hard when you wake up hurting somewhere different everyday. ...I have struggled this week and it has frightened me. This site is amazing and I can't thank all of you enough for your help as I know most of you have been in pain for a long time,but you all welcome newbies like myself,with open arms and advice,it's really appreciated
Hi girlafraid. What a dreadful place to be in. Lanzoprazole didn't agree with me either but Omeprazole was OK. I would be very tempted to ring 111 as you're not going to get much help from your GP from what you say, I understand they're busy but this has now become ridiculous when they can't even help their patients when the patients need them. I hope you get some help, I really feel for you, particularly as you live alone and it sounds like you really need to see someone. xx
Hi Springcross I haven't even been offered Omeprazole so might ring doctor and ask. Have rang 111 waiting for someone to ring me back,think I just need to talk to someone to put my mind at rest about the symptoms I am experiencing xx
I hope that they're able to help you. Either way, a call to the GP is probably in order; sadly we all need to keep insisting that we need help atm just to get the response that in more normal times we'd expect to get immediately.
Hi girlafraid. Omeprazole does take a while to kick in - my GP told me about two weeks but it was a little quicker than that. I really hope you have a good phone chat with whoever rings you from 111 and that they can help you. Let us know won't you.
I had difficulty with naproxen as well and couldn’t tolerate it , rheumy changed me to Etoricaxib which I found much easier to tolerate, along with omeprazole.
Hello girlafraid, I just wanted to echo what others are saying and say how sorry I am that you have been left alone in pain and your GP's appear unhelpful and supportive. This is not acceptable and more so under the current circumstances where people are more isolated than ever. If you haven't already please contact 111 or similar service. Round here there is a walk in centre although presently you can't walk in but on making contact will 'triage' over the phone and if needed to be seen will give you an appointment to go up for a face to face. I'm so glad to hear you have been keeping a record of how you are. I live alone too and when you are ill and in pain it can be quite troubling and night times can heighten anxiety if you are suffering. Having IBS can as you already know affect the range of meds you are able to tolerate but that being said a good GP would look into this and see what is available for you and your situation or seek advice if needed. I know you mentioned that you don't get to see the same GP, but is there for continuity a GP you could ask for and perhaps another if this GP is available due to annual leave etc. I have a regular GP and one other who know me and have requested no loccum GP's (unless no option) following an appointment that putting it politely was awful and could have had negative consequences due to my multiple health conditions. Please let us know how you are and how you get on, take good care and sending my sincere wishes to you. xx
Thank you so much or your reply...yes it's hard when you live alone,I have great friends but none that have this problem, and all have thier own problems so I don't burden them further. This year has been dreadful for everyone who have on going problems and seem to be pushed aside,but this site is fantastic,and all the people on it are brilliant x
Hi, sorry your having problems I know how mentally draining it can be. I suffered from IBS for years and eventually discovered the fodmap diet. I found unknown to me that onions and mushrooms were the main cause of my pain. Also peppermint capsules from holland and barrett helped. Regarding your consultation appointment I'd try and get the number for the consultants secretary and try through them. Find the name of the consultant on the nhs website and phone hospital and ask for the extension number for the secretary.
Hey chunkypie,thanks for your reply. I am such a fussy eater that I don't like mushrooms or onions,lucky me 😊 But all the veg I do love now upsets me,unlucky me 😢 I drink peppermint tea and find peppermint anything helps me... I have actually just tried Ginger and Lemon tea to help with digestion and inflammation. ....an acquired taste I feel....
My doctors couldn't even get hold of the hospital I've been reffered to...so don't know if I would fair any better,but thanks for the information I may look into it if I get no where fast
Sorry to hear you are feeling low and being on your own at home means you can’t easily discuss how you feel unless you phone someone, but you can always speak here as we understand. I wouldn’t suffer it and feel worse and would get back in touch with the GP as others have said. Hope you can make some headway soon with this and feel better. As Lola has said, a private appointment could get you diagnosed much sooner and then start some treatment to help you get the problems under control. x
My daughter takes buscapan for her IBS you can buy it in any supermarket she swears by it ..however doctors advice is best so keep asking until you get somewhere
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