First GP Call 7 Days into Trial

[GreyBike]

I'm on day 7 of an 18 day trial of prednisolone. I have a call with my GP in the morning.

Am wondering what I should try to push for in my allocated 10 minutes.

(I've been fobbed off big time in the past few weeks and am really cross with myself for not trying to be more assertive)

Current situation is my hips and thighs are improved but my shoulders are still really painful and my hands are no better at all and maybe worse.

Since I will only have 10 minutes I was thinking this:-

1) Refer me to a Rheumatologist (I believe they have put me on the trial *instead* of this). There will likely be a massive backlog due to Covid-19 and I dread to think how long the waiting list is.

2) Refer me for an ultrasound of my shoulders based on the information from this link ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... that PMRPro posted a few days ago. (Though there is a strong possibility that she will refuse to read anything from the internet and shoot me down as soon as I ask her to)

3) Again state that I am concerned that my glands may be up in my neck.

4) Possibly ask about increasing the dose (but I have posted separately about this in my concerns about my hands).

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have replied into other post re hands and dose.

Ask for 1. & 2. - and hope you’re referred.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The pred trial is an absolutely normal procedure - not an alternative to referral. If it works well it means you have pain relief long before you might see a specialist, even pre-Covid it could be months. In the UK most uncomplicated PMR is managed by the GP. Doesn't mean you shouldn't be referred of course. So for the moment - patience!

[SheffieldJane]

That sounds to be a reasonable use of your 10 minutes. You may need 20 mgs, I did and then go incredible relief. GPS are usually competent to treat PMR. Try to make them your friend and don’t be too defensive, it worked like a charm with my GP who is a supporter now.