I have all the visible signs of RA in all my finger and other joints but am used to being fobbed off by doctors due to negative blood tests. I saw an appalling rheumatologist called Helen Harris here in Edinburgh who was staggeringly dismissive about my severe Sjogrens symptoms due to having negative test results.
I will have to try to get a diagnosis as am already getting ulnar drift in my fingers, even though I've only had the stiffness and swelling build up for six months or so. Has anyone seen Dr Michael Lambert at all? He just works privately but wondered if he's any good or just goes by blood results.
Any help most welcome!
Thanks, Chelsea
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chelseabird
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When I lived in the Borders a few years back I used to see Dr Ruth Richmond at the Borders General and she was really fabulous. Really kind, treats you as a whole person and not just a set of bloods or symptoms. She made sure I was among the first patients to receive Enbrel as soon as it was licenced. She did her utmost to try to find alternatives to a full knee replacement for me including contacting researchers working on cartilage grafting when it was in it's infancy. Lovely, caring and committed Doctor. I've just checked and she is still there 🤗
Hi, I see Mr.Lambert at Spire Shawfair Park. He diagnosed me with sero negative RA in 2019 and I've seen him regularly since. He isn't an effusive communicator but is pleasant and I don't feel he just goes on bloods. It was MRI's that showed my joint inflammation but I have BUPA cover and it would be very expensive to have them without medical insurance.
There is so much chance involved as to who you are referred to in the NHS and even going privately I suspect that there is always an element of chemistry between patient and doctor and who suits you. I initially saw Dr Lambert in 2016 when I had suspected PMR and was on steroids. I found his manner very brusque and dismissive and without any physical examination he told me I obviously had RA due to my family medical history. I chose not to start the methotrexate he recommended and very soon everything settled down and I had no ongoing issues. But when things flared up again a year later (I’m pretty sure this was triggered by stress) I asked my GP to refer me to a different consultant. I’m now very happy with Dr Hauser at the WGH who diagnosed seronegative RA despite negative blood tests. She has been wonderfully supportive despite a long (2year) trial and error of various drug options before finding the magic solution of Bariticinib which has given me my life back. But along the way I also experienced a difficult consultation with Dr Harris so I empathise with you. I felt that she had little understanding of the patient’s perspective and I had to fight to be heard properly. I didn’t see any value in being told that I was in the 10% of patients that they struggled to find an answer for. Good luck!
Dr Hauser was my consultant for a very short time, she was pleasant enough, but followed on from the incorrect information and opinion documented by my previous consultant. I had to work hard to present my case to her, but when she finally accepted what I was saying, she passed me quickly to Dr Harris, biologics specialist and I received a letter from her saying my care had been 'sub optimal'. My friend is also under Dr Hauser and thinks she is good, I don't think she undertakes private work though.
l myself see Dr Harris and have found her to be a very good rheumatologist.I am still working my way through meds to find something that will work.Unfortunately some patients like me can be complex to treat.I have Sero positive RA Oesteoarthritis and latterly Polymyalgia Rheumatica.I have been on Hyroxychloriquine,Sulphasalazine Methotrexate,Leflumonide.I then tried injections Erelzi and Sarilumab but no luck.At first I was treated at East Lothian Hospital when I tried the above meds by Dr Riches. I was then sent to Edinburgh and was treated under Dr Harris who deals with biological meds.I find her helpful she has used ultrasound twice on me.I then took Baricitinib,tofacitinib,then combined Methotrexate with toczilizumab injection.Unfortunately still looking will be staying onMethotrexate but injection this time hoping to start Ritixumab infusion in couple months after my first hip replacement if it goes ahead.Already had both knees replaced nine years ago.I'm sorry you are not happy with your appt. I can only say what I have experienced.Thank You NHS.
Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to reply. It's such a difficult decision as it's so important to get the right help. Still wavering between Drs McRorie and Lambert who work privately or the lottery of who you get on the NHS. Thanks for the helpful replies x
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Sero-negative arthritis
EDINBURGH......I SURVIVED!
Rheumatologist 
Appointment with rheumatologist
NEGATIVE RF AND CPP
