My latest six-month review with a (2nd) locum.

[123-go]

Two days ago I arrived at my rheumatology clinic in good time for my appointment. Waiting for my name to be called I became increasingly concerned when people coming in after me were being called by the two consultants on duty. More than half an hour passed while I observed patients coming and going. At this point I asked at the front desk who I would be seeing and I have to admit my heart sank when I was told my appointment was with a locum. Heart rate raised and a sinking feeling of deja vous due to a ‘disturbing’ review with a locum a little over a year ago.

I shouldn’t have worried. The doctor had obviously read my notes and we discussed my latest blood test results-all fine- and the findings of PET-CT carried out at the end of 2022 which read as follows:

“I [my consultant] have taken the opportunity to discuss this scan at our Radiology MDT and the areas of concern in the aorta particularly seem to correlate to areas of atherosclerosis. Reassuringly the areas of thickening on ultrasound at the axillary arteries do not appear active on PET-CT, suggesting this is vascular damage/remodelling from previous inflammation. There has been no increase in any aortic dilation and indeed your subsequent echocardiogram shows that the aortic root is of normal size and the arch and ascending aorta appear to have normal dimensions.”

As a result, the locum suggested I will be able to reduce my current low 4 day - cycle dose of pred ( 1.5mg/1mg/1mg/1mg ) by half a mg. (I’ve yet to work out the best way of doing this) and stay on 1mg as a maintainance dose 😃. Also, I am to continue with 10mg daily Leflunomide.

The locum will be writing to me to confirm the way forward. Sighs of relief!

[SnazzyD]

Why oh why does it all have to be sooo stressful? And to have to wait all this time for the results! Relieved to hear the report was good!

[VeeWat in reply to SnazzyD]

beautiful dog in photo

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Locums can be a bit of a lucky dip but sometimes they are superb as they come to the consultations without preconceptions.

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

I certainly fell on my feet with this one 🙂.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

Shame you can't keep them!

[123-go]

’Tis. They must become locums for a reason: more flexibility in working hours, choice of hospital, region, —————-😉.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

A lot less responsibility and no begging for a holiday, if you aren't well or exhausted the NHS still expects you to turn up as rostered and the rosters are evil ...

[123-go]

…and who can blame them? I’ll refrain from the politics this not being the place. *Just read this back and it sounds as though I’m supporting the practise of being asked to go into work when sick. No no no no!

[SheffieldJane]

That’s reassuring. I hope I am lucky too. I had an oddly painful echocardiogram this morning. I think she forgot that there was a person under her wand.

[123-go in reply to SheffieldJane]

I truly hope you are. 🤞❤️

[Thelmarina]

Lovely to hear of someone doing their job, communicating well and leaving you feeling good. Thanks for sharing! 😀