Appointment with rheumatologist

Hello Franbie,

You certainly have had a struggle to be heard and taken seriously for a very long time and I know exactly how frustrating it is. Slightly different, but still autoimmune disease, I had urticaria with swellings of lips, eyes and also tummy. It took 10 years to be diagnosed with angeodema/urticaria and finally RA. But that's enough about me, I would say that you are doing all the right things by taking photo's, diary and taking someone with you to your appointment.

The very fact that your appointment has been brought forward is a positive factor particularly as the X-ray report suggests RA. But when you have lived with the frustration of not having any firm outcome from all your previous visits to rheumatologists it's quite understandable that you have doubts about this new appointment of yours.

You have pain in all the same places as I have at the moment and like you I am so tired that I don't know what to do with myself.

I hope what I have written here helps you a bit even if it's just knowing that your not alone with your pain. My thoughts are with you for 19th March and I wish you good luck.

Take care till then and rest as much as you can, like me. June xx

Hi Franbie - June has said it all but I just wanted to say that I hope you do get a diagnosis of RA if that's what you are looking for. Your symptoms certainly sound like they correspond with mine prior to MTX. I remember my 9 months in undiagnosed limbo as being hellish and feeling relief when he said the words "We will call this RA as a working diagnosis" - strange to be relieved at those words but I most definitely was! Good luck for the 19th. Tilda x

I just can't believe how long you have been going through all this for. I will really cross my fingers for you (courtesy of MTX!). X

Hi franbie, poor you,fingers crossed that your diagnosis will in fact be sorted once and for all as time is defiantly an element factor in treatment ,it's a shame we all have to fight to some degree,when our bodies are telling us,showing us,but the higher beings in hospitals waste time disagreeing ,when the evidence is sitting in front of them.

The pain in your middle toes ,get them to check for a " Morton neuroma " it's also associated RA, it's like a calcium build up and only affects the two middle toes,my RA nurse had one so she spotted mine when I told her about the pain in my toes.

Good luck

Soft hugs

Angie x ? x

The 19ths not long now hope they advance things for you xx

Hello Franbie

I have just been diagnosed after two years of various symptoms not as unlucky as you have been over 13 years.I am sero negative . I got the results of a bone scan today and have RA in my chest wall and jaw so don't let them tell you it just affects hands feet wrists etc.Keep a journal if you are not already doing so. My mtxt not kicked in yet but remaining positive. I know it is hard but now you know what you are dealing with. keep talking and good luck for the 19 March write your questions down.

Big hug

Lorraine