At last, one more day to go!!

[shirlthegirl]

Hi everyone, Well I'm ready for my first appointment tomorrow, Have been though my check list, (Thankyou for all your advice)

I'm now cleaned, polished, shaved and plucked lol.xx

[Hidden]

Try to keep your expectations under wraps if possible Shirl - rheumy consultants vary as much as hot dinners and best to go in with an open mind although from what you've told us you are pretty sure you have RA from your high rheum factor and symptoms right? My first examination was very brief and a bit brisk. Second was more thorough and RA was diagnosed - third was almost non existant - re plucking etc! Best of luck. Tilda x

[cris1728]

Good luck for tomorrow hope you have a good experience or as good as you can in the circumstances. try to remember what they tell you and what they do, and write it down if you need to. I had a good experience and had a positive rheumatoid factor too as well as signs of RA but did not get a positive diagnosis on the day although she gave me indications that she thought I probably had RA and wrote that on the test cards I will have to wait until get test results before get definitive diagnosis so still in limbo until next appointment. My rheumy asked me if I wanted a copy of the letter she would be sending to GP and they are suposed to ask you if you want one so if they dont ask you ask them. At least then you should get some info before next appointment if they do not give you a diagnosis tomorrow. Let me know how you go on and will be thinking of you tomorrow.

cris xx

[Shell1967]

Hi shirl,really good advice from cris there,they asked me too if I wanted a copy of letter they wud be sending to gp,and I sed yes defintly,I want to know everything.as cris sed you prob won't get a firm diagnosis tomo,I didn't,I got told its possible RA but after all blood tests are back he Wudnt confirm.he won't give you any medication too until firm diagnosis,like me I waited for 6 weeks after appt to get a letter confirming RA,then mtx was started,and now on week 9 and feeling so much better :))).get ur sister to write things down as you go along,and I hope ur consulatant is as nice as mine and cris's was.wishing you well and lots of luck and love and hugs xxxxx

[watson3]

Good luck for tmz.

[Josie2]

Good luck for tomorrow. Let us all know how you get on.

Xxxx

[shirlthegirl]

It,s so great to hear all your best wishes, I wouldn't of got though the last few months without your support.

ThanksXxxx

[earthwitch]

Best advice I ever had was to make sure they are going to give you a follow up appointment before you leave. Its incredibly easy for them to just discharge you by letter if they think there isn't enough to go on after the first lot of tests, so before you leave the consulting room, make sure you politely ask "when do you think you will want to see me again".

[Neverwell]

Hope every thing goes ok tomorrow x