My visit to oxford Nuffield outpatients......

[shirlthegirl]

First of all i would just like to thank you all for the good luck messages you sent me on my visit today, sorry i never send this message earlier, I had such a busy morning with going to oxford and shopping by the time i got home i was really tied, so i had a good rest and now i can't sleep so i thought i would let you know how i got on,...Well i got there at 9.30 and straight away i was called to see the occupational Therapist, we spoke about all the issues i had concerning my day to day difficulties with chores and personnel hygiene, She explained about all the gadgets that she believed would help me, We also spoke about how she could help me to return to work in the future, she also gave me lots of paperwork for me to read about the best way to handle my condition, she was really helpful and has told me that she is only a phone call away, That took a hour so you can imagine how much info i had to take in, I'm glad i had my sister with me....Then it was to see the practitioner who went though all my meds, she has decided to up my MTX to 20mg instead of 15mg, she has also arranged for me to have a steroid injection in my knee tomorrow afternoon at my local hospital, I know that is going to help me so much,she also recommended that i take cod liver oil tablets to help with my joints, i did mention about the anti TNF drug as my das has done up to 4.09, she said that they will look into it again in may depending on how i cope with the increase of MTX, She also mention that they are now looking at giving the Anti TNF drug first to patients to hit it head on and then reducing if they can to MTX, which i think that sounds a lot better as i believe if i had had that to start of with i could be at work now,.......

Then it was our favorite person the Physiotherapist :))))))) No she was really sweet going though all the excises she wants me to start doing and it does make a lot of sense, And that's not all....... she also gave me a lot of booklets and she is arranging for me to have 3 sessions in the Hydrotherapy pool in oxford over a period of 3 weeks,

How lucky am I :))))))))

I also mention about why and how comes that i am able to get all this treatment when there are friends of mine on the site who are having so many problems, she said at the moment there is enough funding in oxford shire available, so they can give the best care within the rheumatologist department, So i should really count myself so lucky at the moment and i really do!!! I think i better get some sleep now, Thank you all so much again XXXXXXX

[Neverwell]

It sounds like you had a very good day

Glad you are getting all that help now wish I could use a hydrotherapy pool

But I'm not as bad as you.

Hope hosp app goes well

Gentle hugs Karen x

[sylvi]

It was lovely to such a uplifting story of how you got on at the hospital. I wish i could use a pool like that as i like the warmer water. My local baths have said i can use the kiddies pool,but that is not the same as its not very deep. I am so pleased for you.xxx

[saffron07]

That's great we'll done and good luck

[cathie]

Glad you did so well at my old hospital. They seem to manage their resources well. I was interested in what they say about hitting RA with anti tnf and mtxate and then withdrawing the anti tnf. Sounds as though you're in good hands. It helps everyone to hear about good practice as it can be used to pressure for improvement. Keep well

[shirlthegirl in reply to cathie]

Thanks Cathy, you were so right about the nuffield, I can't wait to go again xxx

[smooch40]

I also go to the noc in Oxford and feel I am very lucky to be there. I live in Surrey and it takes me an hour and a half to get there, it's a long day when I have to go but so worth it. It was lovely to read your positive post. I'm next up there in May. The hospital seems to run very well since they have rebuilt it. Stay well and take care. x

[shirlthegirl in reply to smooch40]

That is a long way i only live in Banbury it only take about 40 minutes the most, so it isn't that bad for me, but as you have said well worth it xxx

[cathie in reply to smooch40]

So glad to hear such positive things. Quite a lot of people come from far away I remember a couple from the Isle of Wight used to come for anti tnf. The pool is great too, when I first went it wasn't on site but over by the Abingdon road park and ride!

[Neonkitty]

Shirl, I am sure you will love the hydro! I have always done so in the past. (Sadly I am not mobile enough or have enough balance under my feet at the mo to even stand in the pool. Even with jelly bean beach shoes on etc. But I could love to be able to go again.) Hydro supports your joints so much you can achieve so much in the water. Sounds like you had a very productive day and that is good to hear!

NK xx

[Josie2]

Hi Shirl

Sounds like you had a very productive day, good for you. If you can get it, grap it all with both hands.

Hydrotherapy sounds fab, enjoy.

Jo

Xxxxx

[shirlthegirl in reply to Josie2]

That's just what my GP told me to do, Anything that will help me to get back to work will be a bonus, Thanks XXX

[cazh]

Good to hear about your day. Sounds like you will be very well looked after. Hope you enjoy the hydrotherapy.

Caroline.

[aligator]

How good to hear you had such support Hope you enjoy the hydrotherapy pool. I have benefited so much with regular visits. the advert for bisto is Aah bisto well I'm Aah warm water & relax!!

Take care, love Alison

[shirlthegirl]

Thank you so much for the messages you have sent and i am also glad to sent a positive message to you all, I have heard so many people talk about the hydrotherapy pool, so i am really looking forward to it, just need to arrange it around my husbands job so that he can take me as i don't drive, Hope you are all keeping as well as you can be shirley XXX

[tiger]

The treatment that they are suggesting sounds a bit like mine. I started on MTX and very quickly was started on a biologic (Rituximab), had 3 courses of that, the last being about 18 months ago. I am still on MTX but he now thinks that I am in remission. Good luck with the hydrotherapy and stay well.

Wendy xx

[shirlthegirl in reply to tiger]

That's sounds really positive, i do hope that it goes that way for me, thanks for your reply xx