I'm new here and have seen a rheumy. During his examination he looked at both my hands turned them over, but said nothing. Is this usual?

[merril]

Had a lengthy session with him (one and a half hours) and he arranged to write to my GP and suggest I have a trial on steroids and an US scan. Today I had my Oxford vaccine in the am and the scan in the afternoon. As yet I have had no phone call from my GP regarding the steroids. My US scan of tests of temporal arteries, neck, and axillas showed no cells with halos. I was prepared for that because of what I had gleaned from some of the posts on here. I guess I was hoping that at least the GP would accept I might have PMRGCA. I am still without any pain meds and struggling a bit, but will have to be patient and find another distraction other than jigsaws because my sight has deteriorated so much. Ay suggestions?

[SheffieldJane]

I guess your Rheumatologist was looking for swollen joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis can present in a very similar way to PMR. They sound pretty thorough so far especially with the Ultrasound Scan. Chase up the steroid trial. If it is PMR/GCA you should obtain some pretty quick relief. Sometimes a good response to Pred is the only diagnostic pointer they can get. It mainly goes on your symptoms as you probably know. Have you discussed your symptoms on here already? I have a feeling that you have. Are there any plans for a Temporal Artery Biopsy? Have you seen an Opthalmologist or a well equipped Optician lately? We can get a number of eye issues with these conditions and need to be on top of it. You could try Ibuprofen or similar until you get Prednisalone or Prednisone, but don’t take them together ever, it will damage your stomach. I hope you get some relief really soon. I am sorry that you can’t enjoy your jigsaws. I wonder if there is something on-line that you could play that has a similar meditative effect but is easier to see?

[merril in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Sheffield Jane. Why didn't I realise what he was looking for? Probably why he didn't comment because I have no swelling of my joints. Yes , he did mention biopsies, but said they did very few these days . Unfortunately, I cannot take Ibuprofen, but in order to get a few hours sleep at night I take one co-codamol. This gives me four hours sleep, and helps to manage daytime. I've just had a letter from my optician asking me to make an appointment, and I intend to make one for next week. I see the physio tomorrow, and will have ultrasound and acupuncture for my back. I have been waiting since last March for an MRI, following a query spinal stenosis from the pain Consultant. The problem is that my pacemaker means I have to have an extra member of staff to adjust it during the scan.

Thanks for thinking of alternatives for jigsaws, I'll explore that and let you know the result

👍

[whitefishbay]

I can’t believe you had an 1 1/2 hour w the rheumy.

[merril in reply to whitefishbay]

Yes, I realise why you are surprised, but I pay privately and I am sure that makes a difference. That shouldn,t be the case of course!

[whitefishbay in reply to merril]

That is impressive. Well of course you get more time if it is private.

[123-go]

Hi merril. I shouldn't be concerned about your GP accepting that you have PMR: the doctor you saw is the specialist. It's probably true to say that things like paperwork/letters between specialist and GP are moving at a much slower pace than at normal times. Please ring your surgery and ask for a telephone appointment with your GP as a matter of urgency to explain your hospital visit and your symptoms stressing those of the eyes as well as your pain levels. Ask if he/she will prescribe a trial dose of steroids - no less than 15mg, or at the very least keep a close watch for any communication from your rheumatologist. If you can't be given a telephone appointment within the next day or two ask to be put through to the practice manager there and then. It's hard to fight your own corner while feeling so unwell but you owe it to yourself to do so. Good luck and best wishes.

[merril in reply to 123-go]

Hi 123-go. I have now done all you suggested and on Monday I will have the meds, thank goodness! You will probably read my reply to PMRpro.

[123-go in reply to merril]

So pleased for you! I'm sure that within several days of starting Pred you will see a noticeable reduction of pain. 🙂

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I see you wrote 15 days ago saying you had seen Rheumy - are you still waiting for GP to prescribe Pred from that appointment? You also mentioned eye problems in previous posts.

Bearing all that in mind, and difficult though it may be, I think you really need to contact GP to prescribe medication.

[MrsNails]

Hi Merril

Firstly, Welcome 🙏🏼

Sounds like you have a very thorough Rheumatologist & as Jane says he’d be checking for RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) my guy checks my hands every time l see him.

Pity he didn’t give you a ‘script there & then but no matter ring the Surgery, be nice but firm, explain about the trial of Steroids if the Receptionists isn’t helpful ask for Telephone Appointment to discuss with your GP.

Good Luck 🍀

MrsN

PS in the ‘Pinned Posts’ you’ll see a list of abbreviations, three letter acronyms often used on here but always ask if you don’t recognise/understand anything.

[Coffeebeans]

Just to answer the question about hands, rheumatoid arthritis may show as swollen joints plus you can get changes in your finger nails that are indicative of other conditions.

He was being thorough and doing a good examination.

Call your GP for the steroids, you need to get some pain relief (fingers crossed they are effective).

If calling the GP doesnt work then call the rheumatology department back and query the steroids. You've waited long enough

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A good doctor doing a rheumy clinical exam would look at hands, backs and palms.

This

oxfordmedicaleducation.com/...

illustrates just how much info they can gain just from looking at your hands! It goes WAY beyond swollen joints ...

The rheumy obviously thinks there is a chance it is PMR or they wouldn't have suggested the steroid trial

[merril in reply to PMRpro]

Your reply was very reassuring and I have now read the Oxford hand examination and saved it. I think I made a good choice with this rheumy. I had begun to wonder, because he said he would write to my GP suggesting a trial and I would likely have the meds by the 29th Dec. Having heard nothing I rang the surgery and was told they had not received anything from him. Phone call to his secretary who confirmed she had emailed them on the 26th Dec and followed it up with a letter. She told me today she would speak again to the surgery and would ring me back. Outcome? There is a script now at the pharmacy!

[MrsNails in reply to merril]

Well Done! 👏🏼

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to merril]

Excellent. Really though - someone's ear wants tweaking! Just as well you followed up - but we shouldn't have to. And someone told a porky ...

[Hidden]

I enjoy a site called “zimad” for online jigsaws. It is large so hopefully it will be useful to you. My best

[merril in reply to Hidden]

Thanks ipad mom. I,ll have a look for that.👍