Off topic - love my rheumy

[Wobbies]

Had an excellent telephone consultation with my rheumy today. Have an awful long lasting flare which has just subsided and having to go for a colonoscopy after positive bowel screening test, and he was very helpful. Apologised that it was not a face to face but said that was his trust policy, but would put me down for a face to face in 3 months time. If I got another telephone appointment, or I could not manage my pain levels in the meantime, to contact his secretary who would fit me in for a face to face urgently. In the meantime, if I feel I need it, he has advised my GP to give me a steroid injection if I request it. He thinks blood in my stools is most likely caused by internal bleeding caused by Meloxicam, so try and manage without it. I had already thought that so stopped it myself. So, get the colonoscopy over with and then he will think about a change of meds, as I should not be suffering flares like that. It was great. Can't rate him highly enough as you are never just left to get on with it. Had to share my good news. 😁

[Fruitandnutcase]

Well done, your rheumy sounds so kind, a real treasure, hang on to him. Hope things go well with the colonoscopy and you are fighting fit in no time. 😊

[Wobbies in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you, he is lovely and I tell him so too. When I was reading out my ESR levels, he went ouch! Have to travel 140 miles there and back to see him but worth every mile. ☺☺

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Wobbies]

Definitely worth travelling to see him. You lucky person 😊

[springcross]

He does sound really good Wobbies, lucky you. Good luck with the colonoscopy. 🤞x

[Wobbies in reply to springcross]

Thank you. I am lucky - he is definitely a keeper.

[Marionfromhappydays]

It makes the world of difference doesn't it, cling onto that one x

Good luck with your colonoscopy 👍

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thank you. Weren't you having a biopsy? How did it go (as if any procedures can go well but you know what I mean) - were they kind to you and treat you nicely?

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Wobbies]

Yes I did, they were so unbelievably fantastic, so caring and really looked after me.I really don't get on too well with general anaesthetic but I'm beginning to feel better. It has kicked my arthritis up a notch too so it's upset me a bit.

I've got to wait for the results, bit nervous; Fingers are firmly crossed hoping its nothing cancer bad but I've been told its got to have follow up MRIs and continuing monitoring so goodness knows 🤷‍♀️ Just glad it was found.

Thanks for asking xx

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

All fingers crossed for you especially as you have been through a rotten time without this. All the waiting is debilitating as well as all the physical bits. Keep us informed if you feel you can and take good care. xxx

[Wobbies in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

May have got the biopsy thing all wrong - if so sorry did not mean to offend, but this latest flare has left me with terrible brain fog - even started looking for my dog when I had taken her down t the dog sitter!

[Sheila_G]

Glad you had such a good consultation. All the best with the colonoscopy.

[helenlw7]

I’m so glad you’ve struck lucky with your rheumatoid. I think there are a lot out there who aren’t as god.I have a wonderful consultant too, in fact she’s my second good one in 17 years. I’ve read so much about other people’s consultants and realise I’m so lucky to only have had 2, and good ones, in this time. My currant one is far better than the doctors at my gp surgery. My gp thought my RA meds should mean I don’t have any pain so refused to renew my painkillers. She obviously hadn’t read my notes because I’ve had osteoarthritis in my back for over 30 years! I’ve seen the consultant twice f2f since December, and she’s picked up things from blood tests that my gp hadn’t so now I’m being tested for coeliac disease and I’m starting B12 injections next month. Getting a f2f appointment with a gp is rarer than hens teeth!

[Wobbies in reply to helenlw7]

Aren't we lucky. Yes , I find at my GP surgery that you strike lucky if you get a registrar GP, as they always seem to be more thorough and have more time. Unfortunately they only stay for 6 months, but we always have one training so I try and see them if I need a GP, but in fact find my rheumy much more helpful on all things than GP. x

[helenlw7 in reply to Wobbies]

I find the trainee gps the best. My named gp is the RA ‘specialist’ but I know a lot more than him,and he’s a partner so it’s difficult to get an appointment with him.

[Durrell]

Oh that’s great news, it’s great when you have a good rapour with your Rheumy, I’mLike you, mine is great & similar to you I’ve had 4 damned painful years & tried several meds & at last I think we’ve got it. I have changed my diet, following almost the keto lifestyle & intermittent fasting, which altogether is making life far more enjoyable, anyway thanks for sharing, lovely news x

[Wobbies]

Yes part of my problem I am sure is that I am too fat but rheumy is too nice to tell me so. Have given up sugar and lean towards the keto diet which does help, need to be more strict with myself. x

[medway-lady]

A positive post and good luck with the procedure. I had a Sigmodoscopy it was painless and quick. So I hope you won't have to wait too long.

[Wobbies in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you. I was on a 2 week referral so it is this Sunday. No martyr me, so I have opted for sedation. Hoping not to know anything. It's all the laxatives before I ma dreading. 🤣🤣

[medway-lady in reply to Wobbies]

I have Vertigo so didn't want to be awake but they said no need to be flat so I had without sedation and it really was just uncomfortable took a few minutes and I then went for a cooked breakfast as a treat. (A rare occasion) honestly its just a bit uncomfortable and you can have Entinox but was't needed. No laxatives just an enema again painless and nothing to worry about. Best of luck x We live a way from the hospital too and I was starving as nothing to eat from previous evening so the breakfast was best ever. All they found was a tiny bit of Diverticulitus which on occasion can bleed a bit. No treatment needed, nothing sinister and might never happen again. All good news, I hope you're the same. xx

PS For me it surprisingly was not a BBC sized camera either just a pencil thin wand with a light and a very nice doctor. I don't know why but I thought it would be a much more impressive than it was. ! lol and it really was lol

[Wobbies in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks for the reassurance. Fingers crossed. xx