Up to this point..

[caggy]

just a catch up really, I went with my sister to see Rhuemy Nurse on Tuesday, the long awaited appointment, came away feeling quite flat, as all it achieved was a reintroductiion of Mtx as before, she had read the letter I sent to Cons as he had asked that she see me, instead of Him. She said that all my symptoms are RA and 'that's life' in so many words, since I had made my mind up to go back on MTX again there was hardly any point in seeing her, she didn't check my joints or ask how my pain was or how I was coping, I asked her to check the xrays but they had changed the system and she couldn't access them but said she will get the ~Cons to check them later, What good was that to me then as I never know what he has to say. Have struggled to have any energy this week, just when I thought I could walk round the market place I was overtaken by senior citizens wheelding their sticks and walkers as I struggled to get back to the car, that I shoudn't have driven as the left hand was too weak to change gear really. I have heard back from DLA they are writing to my GP just a bit scared that she not say everything I've written as I have only seen her once in 10 weeks because she either refers me to nurses or just writes prescriptions without seeing her. The steroid injections is wearing off quicker than I would have liked but I know I can't rely on them. I have an appointment with a Physio on the 19th July, my first. Good news! the surgery's nurse is really nice and want to see me for my bloods and a catch up monthly, she took time to listen and offered lots of good advice. Have got a problem somewhere with my bloods as they want them repeated possibly my colesterol being 6.4 so that's monday and hopefully if the script is ready I will start MTX at 15mg too. Hope this finds friends on this site as well as can be expected and most enjoying the Tennis Good Luck Murray.

[sheenerweener]

Ah bless you caggy as u know I seek get rheumy on Monday hope they nicer to me than yours sounded, I got same letter from dla. This week,but always seeing my dream as I have bad depression. As well,so she already told me she told them all my problems. And she hoped I got it got luck with physio I saw mine 15 weeks ago and told to do exercises at home never saw him again,hope the weekend is good for you and good luck next week gentle hugs and enjoy watching murry xxx

[caggy in reply to sheenerweener]

Hi ya, These Rheumy ones scare me because they THINK they know more than us how we feel, when I saw mine,( if you know my history you will understand), the very one I wanted to avoid came out of a room and called her next patient, I started shaking my sister was shocked as to how much this person has got to me, so although I took her for support all she could think was that I have a real problem with Authority figures YES I HAVE......is there any help out there for ME

[Hidden]

Hi Caggy. I think the DLA must have had a 'job lot' of posting out those letters because I got one this week too. I get Higher Mobility and Lower Care and have asked them to look at the care element again.

I know what you mean about whether the GP really has a handle on how you are feeling Caggy. I've been seen by physio, OT, Rheumy nurse, counsellor, orthopaedics and GP recently and have been recommended to see the spinal surgeon again. The thing is they don't have central notes on me so unless you see your GP regularly to update them about what is happening they can be unaware. I was thinking of ringing the surgery for a telephone consultation with my GP next week to let her know that DLA will be contacting her and to keep her up to speed with what is going on elsewhere.

It's massively frustrating to come away from an appointment feeling that you have not been listened to Caggy. If I were you I would also speak to the rheumy nurse on the telephone next week and just let her know that you're finding it difficult to cope at the moment and ask if she/he had had time to look at your xrays and if so, whether there is significant damage? I haven't seen my consultant for some time now (maybe a year?) but the nurse referred me for physio and the physio referred me to OT. The rheumatology department OT was especially helpful and it is worth you asking for a referral to them to assess your needs and maybe get support for your wrists.

I hope you feel better soon and that the mxt starts working soon (it can take a while). This sunless weather seems to be getting us all down doesn't it?

Take care

Judy

[caggy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Judy, my sister who has DLA for OA also got a letter as she has to change from income support to ESA, she actually thought mine was encouraging as they normally just say no the first time she tells me. I will have to go down that route soon as my Sick Pay will finish at the end of the month when my notice at work will have finished, I tried ringing the powers that be on Thursday, I was waiting for 35 minutes I finally put the phone down none the wiser. Hey Ho there's always another day another benefit form(dollar)....I am p***** off as I have always worked for every penny I have and never claimed a thing, when I questioned an advisor when I started to get just £85 a week He said I will have to change my lifestyle!!!! Thanks for nothing I thought RA has done that quite successfully.