GCA and Arthritis Care

[piglette]

I was reading the summer edition of Inspire, the Arthritis Care magazine, this afternoon and there is an article on GCA. They mention the GCA Fast Track Pathway saying that GPs have a dedicated line for GCA and that a patient has access to a rheumatologist within 24 hours. Based on many of the posts on this discussion board I do find it depressing when I read about GPs having so little knowledge about this leaving people still in the position of losing their sight. I did think the article could have made it more obvious that sight could be lost rather using the wording damaging eye sight.

Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research merged into one charity on 1 November 2017 which I think could really offer a much better service than the two acting separately.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is the impression given that the fast-track access is a generally available thing?

I have said all along - the fast track is only any use if the GPs and A&E are up to speed. And as we well know - they aren't.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

It gives the impression that GPs are aware and will just lift up a phone and it is all in place which I found a bit much. At least they are talking about it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

I think the Bristol one might work like that or the Southend one - but even in those areas there are patients at, even in, other local hospitals with rheumatologists making a total mess of their care.

In fact reading it - it only mentions Southend. Fat lot of use that is to someone in Bodmin or deepest Lincolnshire.

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

It is a very wish washy article but as DL says at least they have written something on GCA.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi piglette,

Just read article, it does give a slightly optimistic view of treatment, but as you say at least it’s being talked about, and if the details re non occurrence are correct then that’s good.

Thanks for info, have subscribed to newsletter.

This is a link for those interested - portfolio.cpl.co.uk/inspire...

[Carrollee]

Hi piglette. Thanks for the article. I was very fortunate that my doc at the time (a locum) diagnosed pmr after a couple of visits and a batch of blood tests. He then told me about GCA and to contact him immediately if I developed any symptoms. So when I did I contacted him and he saw me that morning and yes he phoned a rhuematologist (who has a fast track GCA clinic) while I was in his office. My steroids where increased that day and I was seen a week later in clinic and had the biopsy the following week (it would have been the week of the appointment but had to be cancelled at the last minute due to a hospital emergency). Tuesday clinic is for first timers and Thursday for checkups and ultrasounds. All the best cc 🤗

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carrollee]

That's how it SHOULD be - but as I say, the biggest hurdle is often the GP. And A&E isn't much better sometimes.

[Carrollee in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro. I agree with all you say and it's tragic to hear some of the stories on here. Although it's fast here in Oxford and they use vascular surgeons for the biopsies (so no real worry of any damage) they are the ones that push mtx and AA and have now said no point coming back if you won't take them. My doc will carry on my care so I have to be content with that for now and at least he spoke of weighing up the damage if you do take them against the damage if you don't, the hospital only see damage if you don't. All the best cc 🤗