Waiting for Rheumatologist appt

[jules1955]

Still on 10mg as blood tests showed raised levels. Now waiting for Rheumatologist appt. Just wondered what happens at these appts ? Still not feeling well, some days better than others. Have pains around lower rib cage now, mainly on left side, going around back,  feels like I have pulled muscles.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Jules, I went through a period of unexplained pain in my rib cage but it disappeared as if by magic.  Around the same time, I developed really painful shins and remember wondering whether I also had an element of Fibromyalgia where various points of the body are painful to the touch.

If your blood tests are showing raised inflammation, then you really need to increase the steroid dose back up to get control of it.

As to what will happen at your rheumatology appointment, it will help if you take a little potted history of your experience thus far, ie your symptoms at diagnosis, blood test results and how you responded to your first dose of steroids, present symptoms.  Also you might find it helpful to have any questions written down - so much easier than trying to remember what you want to ask. .

[Suetum]

I had really bad rib pain  with the shoulder and lower back when I was eventually diagnosed. It comes back when I overdo things. Still over ambitious some days and then pay for it the next 

[olive2709]

I have my first rumatolagist appointment on 3rd May I will be taking  copy of last blood tests ,having them done today ,letter with results of bone scan, plus as Iam under other consultant copy of letter sent to GP after last appointment . Reason experience has shown me that to much time is wasted if they have to look things up and they are not very good at it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to olive2709]

Especially when they announce they haven't got your notes...

[olive2709 in reply to PMRpro]

When I  last attended the hospital, consultant was telling me that he had copys of some notes on me from 1985just arrived and it has taken 5years to get everything so we have notes going back to 1981 someone muttered about putting them under lock and key