Hi all ,
Biopsy week gone Thursday - results yesterday at rheumy appointment.
Negative- which I probably expected having been on 40-50 mg prednisilone since November for ' probable ' GCA .
Dr decided as it was negative she's going for a quicker taper !
10mg a fortnight till I get to 20mg . Then 5 mg a fortnight till 10mg then 2.5 mg.
I voiced my concerns but she said she wanted bloods done if any flares before going back up.
I'm uneasy about this as I had to go up to 50 after jaw pain on chewing - her response was did I think I'd read too much and perhaps imagined it !!!!!!!!!
Gobsmacked!
I'm already thinking of changing dr to a nearer hospital as I have quite a journey for ten minutes of her time.
Your thoughts
Pam
Yes - a reaction like that would be enough to put me off her. There was no real way that biopsy was going to be positive was there? And it is positive in less than half of cases even when done in a timely manner. The reason for doing a biopsy should only be in the hope it WILL be positive because then there is never any argument afterwards. The diagnosis otherwise should be clinical - and obviously originally someone thought it was very likely.
Why are you where you are if there is a nearer option anyway? How helpful is your GP?
I think I was sent to that hospital because I worked there when I had a stroke and was treated there. Or perhaps the first appointment available. it is 17 miles away from home - the nearer one about 4 miles,
S
That dr was the one who diagnosed on clinical sx !
Where are you (-ish, not postcode!)?
I do worry about doctors who don't have the courage of their convictions - if you sent a patient for a biopsy you should have fairish suspicions surely? Though she should have hurried it up...
Tyne & Wear - co durham
Where were you sent? Newcastle/Gateshead/Durham?
Are you in contact with the NE support group?
Satellite of Durham
Meeting Gateshead on 25th will go there
What - Bishops Auckland? I met a right numpty (male) there - didn't listen to me when I reported the 6 hour miracle of pred for my PMR, wanted it to be anything else but. I was still living in Durham when PMR became unbearable, the GP hadn't managed to offer any ideas for 5 years.
There is a superb consultant at Gateshead...
Shotley bridge - I live nearer queen Elizabeth hospital in Gateshead
Our friends live in Shotley Bridge, beside the hospital.
And I'd send anyone to QE in Gateshead! If you are going to the meeting ask around.
I'm sending you a pm.