Recommendations for a Rheumatologist.

[Croft9232]

Hi Everyone,

My nhs trust is South Teeside and I live in North Yorkshire.Does anyone have a recommendation for a good Rheumatologist?

I have my first appointment in September which is good at being only 3 months from dx of PMR. I chose the appointment to be at the teaching hospital rather than the 2 smaller ones. However my GP upon new blood test results says I have RA ( though NO symptoms ) Therefore I have to see a Rheumie!

From starting at 15 mg and about to be 10 mg tomorrow when I see the GP I have to taper off by September in order to see the Rheumie.

My question is I am prepared to pay to see one soonest whilst on Pred just to talk about these findings, as I am convinced I have PMR.I complicate things by going on holiday to Australia and New Zealand for 5 weeks next week and do not want to be tapering whilst there! Its a family holiday with my 2 sons and their families so will be busy and I gather quite cold especially on the South Island of NZ.

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks, Margaret.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

So you have an appointment at James Cook?

The only one I know there is Michael Plant who was heavily involved with the Middlesborough PMRGCA support group:

finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultan...

Worth asking.

What blood test makes your GP so sure it isn't PMR? Is he going on RF (rheumatoid factor) or did they actually do anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies?

[Croft9232 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes its James Cook and I thought to see Dr Plant too!

Umm will know more Friday re what blood tests she is referring to.

She mentioned positive antibodies? on the phone.and def RF positive.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Croft9232]

Sounds as if she did do the anti-CCP test and that is pretty much conclusive for RA.

My daughter is in Whitby - works at Scabs now though.

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Yes Mike is still around and does private as well. NHS Number 01642 854754 ext 54754

[Rosbud]

My Grandaughter is in NZ at the moment and tells me it's freezing !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosbud]

It IS midwinter ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

My family in New South Wales think they are freezing, sorry but 😂😂😂. What we call nesh in Yorkshire. NZ on the other hand is properly cold.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I know - saw the figures on Sky weather this morning, looked like spring to me ...

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

I saw a picture of snow somewhere in Oz that doesn't normally get any. Nesh....it's flipping cold here! I had to put my heating on twice this week. It normally goes off in Feb until November/December.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

Not their bit but they do ski and snowboard and did say that somewhere in OZ, it was available. They make do on surf boards. I think blood gets thinner when you live in a hot country.

I am cold too and have the heating on sometimes. What happened to flaming June?

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think the snow was Melbourne, but not in the mountains in the suburbs.

No idea re june. I got drowned on Monday and it was cold. I keep boosting my heating for 3 hours on an evening. At least I don't need to water my veggies!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

I thought of Pepperdoggie and his precious waterbirds, it said on Springwatch that the baby birds were drowning. ☹️

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh no. I was watch some baby waterhens in endcliffe. A couple of weeks ago. Hopefully they are big enough now. Been very few ducklings in the usual spots this year.