waiting for appointment

[Shaza123]

morning everyone,I’m still waiting for my appointment to see a rheumatologists can any of you tell me how long before you got to see one thanks ( not sure if I’ve spelt that right)

[Seacat30]

In June 2021 mine was fast. The GP thought it would take up to 6 weeks but they saw me in 2 weeks.

[Koalajane]

sorry but I have never seen one. My GP looks after me

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It depends on where you are and what your GP put in the referral. If they referred for PMR and initiated pred it is possible it could be months or even turned down altogether since PMR is mostly managed at primary care level and rheumies only involved for very atypical cases or potential GCA.

So without a lot more information - can't really say. Most people here who are under rheumies were referred pre-Covid. There is a desperate shortage of specialists now and waiting lists are very long. It is years in Northern Ireland.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

thank you everyone for your reply’s, I guess what will be will be

[piglette]

Mine was six months. I did go private in the end.

[Bertiebeagle]

I was referred Jan 22 and seen in March 22.

[Rugger]

I was referred in January 2017 and seen 6 months later. My Rheumatologist works part-time in the NHS and part-time doing University research into PMR & GCA - so worth waiting for!!

[MiloCollie]

I was referred only because I’m diabetic for which steroids are destructive. To be fair though I’ve had more info and support from this forum anyway. The only good thing the rheumatology meeting got me was a link to the nurse specialists. I pretty much just get on with it myself by slow tapering and using sick day rules and pause reductions at big events or holidays.