After 11 months I've seen a Rheumatologist! - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

21,229 members40,250 posts

After 11 months I've seen a Rheumatologist!

Footfairy-1 profile image
7 Replies

Just to put you in the picture, I was dx at the beginning of July 2017, suspected GCA & PMR and had an immediate referral to Rheumy. Luckily no GCA. I was put on 15mg Pred with the normal advice on reduction. Had three further appointments with Rheumatology (different consultants) the last consultant being the worse ever (March 2018), talking down to me and not listening to what I had to say. I gave up and just carried on as I had been with a slow reduction of Pred. She said the next appointment would be in 6 months time.

In all this time I have only spoken to my GP once by phone since August 2017 and that was to ask why I wanted a different mg of Pred. From that phone call he said he was happy for me to manage it myself. I was happy with this as I seemed to be managing things ok. Obviously some ups and downs.

As I hadn't received an appointment for Rheumy by August 2018 I rang but they said they were only just booking for October and that was for new patients. So I left it and got an appointment a couple of weeks ago to attend last Saturday. 11 months!!!

IT WAS A GREAT APPOINTMENT! Lovely, new Rheumy. Addressed me and acknowledged I have a brain. Said I was doing great (even though I'd had a flare the week before and my CRP had gone up to 88 - higher than when I started). Thought I was very knowledgeable about PMR, so I told her about this forum. She was impressed!!! and thought I could probably give them a hand and inform other PMR patients ;). She asked about AA and I said I wasn't taking it as I'd had to pay for a private Dexsa Scan. She couldn't understand why the previous Rheumys and my GP wouldn't send me for one on the NHS. When she saw my results she was impressed and said I wouldn't need another for 5 or 6 years....I'll see her again in August.

I'm sooo happy

Written by
Footfairy-1 profile image
Footfairy-1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
Longtimer profile image
Longtimer

Well done...keep her!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Why can't everyone have that sort of experience?

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Another angel! Where and who is she for the role of honour? No wonder it takes ages to get to see her.

Footfairy-1 profile image
Footfairy-1 in reply toSheffieldJane

Her name is Dr Patel at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. She's new there. Don't know where she came from, probably sent by the angels 😇.

I also had an appointment with the optician a few days before the flare cos I was having temple pain (all checked out ok). The optician was great! He even rang me later in the day to reassure me and tell me he'd left a letter for me to collect and take to the hospital. When I read his letter he started it by saying "This delightful lady". Aww, so sweet. He's at Specsavers 🤓😇

Oxford8 profile image
Oxford8

Lovely encouraging post! Well done you and Dr. Patel. 😀👍🌷

Jackoh profile image
Jackoh

How encouraging!! Hang onto her!

Hellyowl profile image
Hellyowl

So nice to hear a positive story

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Are there any specific scans for GCA?

Hi all Been having issues with ears, eyes and jaw again for last 6-7 weeks. Have Atypical PMR since...
Mike1964 profile image

Rheumy Appointment

Hi I have a rheumy appointment today . I’m really concerned that she will fob me off about my...

Tapering symptoms

I have GCA/PMR, diagnosed in May 2018 and started on 60mg Pred. I am now down to 25mg. But the...
kay7954 profile image

Update on GCA ‘flare’

I posted about 2 weeks ago to ask if it was usual to experience GCA symptoms while on treatment....
Plantmad profile image

Rheumatologist Visit after 9 months

Hi its been a couple of months since my last post and my mums skin flap has healed really well and...
Buchanan16 profile image

Moderation team

SophieMB profile image
SophieMBPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.