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[binlid]

hi i am new on here great to read info ive had ra for four months now diagnosed privatly off to rhummy next week hope fully to start treatment any advice would be helpfull ie should i stop tramadol etc beforehand

some of my reads were :rfactor 1230 crp 14 esr 48 mcv 106 ccp 600 platlets 426 any advice gratefull ty

[earthwitch]

Glad you have finally figured out what is wrong.

No, don't stop tramadol. Its a pain killer - its not going to change what is going on with inflammation in your joints, so the only thing that would happen if you stopped it is that you would feel a lot worse.

Just make sure you ask loads of questions about what the treatment plan is, who you contact if you have any problems in between rheumatologist visits, and what all the options are. Ask if there is a rheumatology nurse. Also ask who you would contact, and when, if you think the side effects of the meds are too much (because some people can get bad reactions to them), and who is going to be monitoring your blood tests (because again, you will have to have these regularly to check that its not damaging your liver).

Also, seriously consider taking someone else with you to the appointment - partner, family, or good friend. It seems to help the doctors take you more seriously, but also it means that you have another pair of ears to remember what was said when you leave and it all goes into a blur.

[binlid]

ty very much for your reply i will take someone with me as i dont feel too staedy on my own in unfamilular places thank you agian x

[cris1728]

Hi sorry you have had to join us but welcome you will find the folke on here very helpful and supportive. I had my first rheumy appt 4 weeks ago and have worked in the NHS for 38years. I did a timeline of my symptoms and the rheumy found this helpful, often they ask questions and people go off at a tangent and do not get to the point so it is helpful to have a diary of what happened and when. If you write it down and go through it at the appointment it is much more concise and to the point and you wont miss anything out. Hope your appointment goes well let us know

take care crisxx

[Hidden]

Welcome to the site dont ditch the pain killers until told so unless they dont suit or cause side effects x

[Hidden]

Welcome - I agree about not ditching the Tramadol but don't make the mistake of having any NSAIDs before hand as I did - then he said "inconclusive for another 4 months! Tilda

[earthwitch]

Tilda is right - NSAIDs (non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and a whole lot of others) are anti-inflammatory and can have an effect on the blood tests that they do to look for inflammation, so best not to take those for a couple of days at least before the appointment.

[shirlthegirl]

Hello and welcome to this great site, I'm Shirley and i was diagnosed by my rheumy on 14th November, But was suffering with problems at the being of June, Everyone on this site is really friendly, i have been given some great advice, which has keep me really positives,

Take care Shirley x

[binlid in reply to shirlthegirl]

thank you very muchi had bloods done with another specialist but i suppose this one will want to do more thanks for your help ev1

[minka]

welcome to the site

you will get some good advice on here.

[binlid in reply to minka]

thank you very much