Pmr

[MarilynRose]

Got a second appointment with rheumatologist in a few weeks just wondered what questions to ask her as to about going back to work as I’m a cleaner and finding it difficult doing my own chores .and about tapering.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

A bit more detail would help us to advise.

See you were started at 40mg for suspected GCA- so what dose are you on now? - and how have you tapered so far - assuming you have. But maybe not if you asking about tapering - have you not been given a plan?

Is it certain you don’t have GCA - biopsy is not always 100% accurate.

If you cannot do your own housework, don’t honestly think you will be capable of doing it for others. So are you hoping for a recommendation continue sick absence? Or for your employer to make allowances for your illness, which is required under the Equality Act?

See this advice from CAB - citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

[Blearyeyed in reply to DorsetLady]

Your specialist may not have the employment rights answers you are looking for but may be able to send a letter to your GP asking them to write you a new sick letter to extend the time you can take off.You should be able to get some support or advice on where to contact for it within the Rheumatology Department , they often have a Liaison or Nurse Support that can talk you through your Employment and Benefits rights , or they can give the information to the right people to help you .

Patients Advice , Citizens Advice and the website of the charity can also help you to get the facts you need to get the right support and to deal with your employer if you are in the UK.

I would say , just as DL , it is early in your treatment and your inflammation is still active even if the steroids are helping with the symptoms.

Too much physical exercise or a very physical job like cleaning , gardening , building are likely to flare up your condition and force you back . If you are struggling with your own cleaning , which we all do with this condition it is unlikely that you could currently manage to do this as your profession , at least until your further down your treatment path without making yourself flare again and having to keep taking time off.

[Constance13]

So sorry to hear this Marilyn. but really - you cannot go to work with those symptoms. I find even very light housework difficult to achieve and cleaning elsewhere is far too strenuous. Take care or you'll be longer on this journey than you think.CAB (as Dorset lady suggests) is a very good first step.

You can even phone them.

[tangocharlie]

Many of your questions might be answered on here, there's so much in the FAQs, the pool of knowledge on here is better than most doctors know about these baffling conditions GCA and PMR. If you don't get the answers you need, ask away on here, you are not alone