Specialist appt tomorrow 😊

[litbee]

Hello all. Thanks to my wonderful GP, my initial appt with Rheumatologist has been brought forward from Feb 2022 to TOMORROW!!

[Hidden]

Yayyyyy!!! Good luck . Well done 👏 Gp

[nomoreheels]

Great! Well done GP. If you need to know anything for your prep just ask, we've all had diagnostic appointments!

[litbee in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you! I haven’t really thought of any questions, as the appt was initially so far away! All I can think of at the moment is a potted history of symptoms, list of medications, impact of symptoms on my daily life, (including request for comb-bound Uni materials, which my GP has confirmed) and info such as rings that fitted 6 months ago now don’t go over my knuckles. After being dismissed for so long by doctors surgery, this lady has been so fabulous - even ringing me to check the wording of her letter to Uni. In these times, I am so very grateful to her.

[Lolabridge]

Excellent - well done your GP! Hope it goes well for you tomorrow.

If you haven't had a look on the NRAS website about what to expect, take a look:

nras.org.uk/information-sup...

[litbee]

Thank you all so much, hopefully I will get some answers / plan of treatment soon x

[Deeb1764]

Yay this is good make sure you have written some notes if you need a lot to remember x

[litbee in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you for your help, ! Hope to find out where to go from here x

[Ali_H]

Are you willing to share that GP???

Just say it as it is at you appointment... good luck with it all and do come back here for further advice/support.

All the best

Ali

[springcross]

That's great news litbee, I'm really pleased for you and hope it all goes well. 🤞x

[Boxerlady]

Great news! 👌My fabulous GP did a similar thing back in 2019 and it makes such a difference to have the support of someone who cares and is willing to push on our behalf.

[litbee in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you all! Hospital consultant was brilliant Showed me previous x-rays, which together with blood tests etc confirm Osteoarthritis, not Rheumatoid. At the moment only in my hands, but may develop elsewhere. Has prescribed meloxicam 15mg, which will hopefully help with the pain. She has also referred to Physio for hand exercises, so all in all, a very productive day!

[nomoreheels in reply to litbee]

OA can be painful if not controlled with correct meds & given the right exercises. I was diagnosed with secondary OA when diagnosed with RD, it's mainly my hands (DIP joints) that are most affected & all need replacing but I’m holding off until they don't work at all! I also have cervical & lumbar spondylosis (OA in the neck & lumbar region) but they don't cause be too much bother. If your hands become troublesome do ask to be referred to Occupational Therapy. Mine helped me with exercises & help in the way of perching stool, hand splints, grip mats & other things which make such a difference. Physio can be helpful too.

Two other things that help me (depending on the pain) are Pernaton Gel & diclofenac gel 2.32%. You can buy both over the counter, diclofenac as Voltarol.