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[JanetJAM]

Hi I have had pains in my hands wrists and shoulders for a while now, my doctor sent me for xray and phoned me and said it was arthritis and would refer me but the waiting list is 26 weeks and it’s so painful. I wonder if anyone knows what I can do to ease the pain while I’m waiting. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Boxerlady]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - that waiting time is awful! I'd suggest that you badger your doctor to see if they can push it along - emphasise how you're struggling and that you're concerned that some lasting joint damage could develop if you have to wait. If you can get the contact details of the clinic it might be worth contacting them and asking if there are any cancellations. I was diagnosed in Spring 2019 when the waiting lists were shorter but my GP kept badgering them which did help. She also prescribed me some steroids to tide me over although they're not keen on those atm because of the possible risk re Covid; yours might be able to give you some stronger pain relief than is available over the counter though. Heat can help and also cold so maybe try a hot water bottle or a bag of frozen peas. Gentle exercise to get the joints moving is good - I do my hand and wrist exercises in the shower as the hot water helps.

There's lots of great advice on the NRAS website.

[JanetJAM in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you will look them up x

[Happy5 in reply to Boxerlady]

Yeh Boxerlady is correct about keep calling for a cancellation.Others have given spot on advice too so try to follow up what they suggest.

Really sorry to hear about you suffering in this way , can sympathise is my main symptom,

which at times I need oral steroids for.

Hope you get relief asap.

Keep on truckin, solutions are there and you wil get them sorted.

[Niao]

Hello and welcome.I've only been on here a few weeks myself.

Can I ask did you have any blood tests, such as the Rheumatoid factor or inflammatory markers taken? I ask because it was down to having these taken and my results being very high that I was fast tracked, seeing a Rheumatologist 4 weeks after.

I had however spent 2.5 years getting to the point they actually took the tests! Had also been waiting 1.5 years on a list to see a Rheumatologist.

You will get excellent advice and support from this very friendly group, to add to the great advice already given from Boxerlady.

I'm only able to take Cocodamol 30/500, due to problems with other pain relief, but I am now on methotrexate and prednisolone. It's too early to tell if methotrexate will work. The first 2 weeks of steroids were great, couldn't believe the relief. Now, on lower dose, not so good. As Boxerlady said, they are more cautious of steroids at the moment, and so was I but I was in immense pain.

Really hope you get some relief from the pain, but keep pushing to be seen. Keep us updated. x

[JanetJAM in reply to Niao]

HiI did have blood tests and xray the doctor rang me to tell me it was definitely arthritis but when the choose and book letter came and I went online to book an appointment there were none so I rang and she told me it was 26 week waiting list. I wasn’t too bad at the time but the pain is getting a lot worse I’m using voltarol at the moment but not helping much it gets you down doesn’t it when it’s all day every day. Thank you for your reply it’s nice to be in touch with others x

[Hidden in reply to JanetJAM]

If its osteoarthritis then it will be a game of playing with meds with your GP to see what works. Whole heap of drugs they can throw at you and it just depends what works for you. Ice packs and heat packs and gels to rub in joints etc. If its RA then again you will land up with a regime of help however as it says 26week this is against the norm for RA consultants. Vit D worth checking levels here tooI have OA and RA.

There is no quick fix unless you go down the steroid route but worth trying others meds if you can. It depends on the pain levels and how much you can cope with etc.

[Niao in reply to JanetJAM]

It certainly does and I really hope things ease! As Deeb2908 says, 26 weeks is against the norm for Rheumatoid Consultants though, or so I was led to believe, unless it maybe depends on your inflammatory markers, not sure on that. x

[MorganCat in reply to JanetJAM]

Sounds familiar to my story referred in June seen end of November . Same issue with the choose abs book . I didn’t push my appointment because they told me I was on a waiting list to get on the waiting list to be seen. When I last spoke to my GP she me asked to chase it , Told by hospital nothing they could do and my appointment had been flagged as routine ., 2 weeks later out of the blue got an appointment . Go back to your GP and get them to chase it for you.

[JanetJAM in reply to MorganCat]

Thank you I will give her a call it’s worth a try thanks for your help x

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Janet, welcome to our community. I'm sorry that you're in such pain, I hope our suggestions help somewhat. That’s such a long time to wait. Unfortunately Rheumatology Departments are notoriously understaffed so long waiting lists aren't unheard of I’m afraid. This is in spite of the treat to target recommendations. Also, you say you’ve had symptoms for a while, if you've had symptoms longer than 3 months every effort should be made to fast track your referral. The sooner you can start on treatment to control the disease the less likely the chance of damage or erosions. I wonder if there are alternative hospitals within your local health authority & in acceptable travelling distance with shorter lists you could attend? I'd have a look online & check back with your GP. If you can possibly attend quickly you may find there's a cancellation list you could be added to as well. Or, if it's feasible, could you seek out a private Rheumatologist to be examined & receive your specific diagnosis? They will likely not rely on previous X-rays so it may cost more than the fee but anything is worth trying if you can't get that 26 weeks down. You'd need to check that they also have an NHS clinic you could be transferred to reasonably swiftly to.

Meanwhile I’d make an appointment to see your GP, see if he/she will do as mine did & prescribe pain relief & or anti inflammatory (prescription NSAID) for the interim. He/she has your X-ray results so should be able to prescribe appropriately. Or maybe a short term corticosteroid to bring down the inflammation & pain rapidly & make you more comfortable. You can't be expected to manage any length of time without anything.

I hope you're able to sort something. Keep us informed & if things don't change any we'll put our heads together again, see there are other avenues you could try. 😊

[JanetJAM]

Thank you for your advice I will see if I can talk to my GP again x