rheumatology nurse?

emmarose33

Hi,
I have seen my consultant every 3-4 weeks since December, but she is a busy lady, and can't see me this week, so she asked me to see the Rheumatology Nurse instead.
I understand, as I ALWAYS have to get overbookings etc. and most other people wait months to see her.
Plus I suppose in future the nurse will be easier to access.
I am just wondering what the nurse can do? Can she prescribe things? Can she drain the fluid off my knees? (hope so!) can she give me steroid injections? can she refer me to other departments? (I see a hand therapist and a physio but have never seen an ot). . . I am not just making assumptions that it is a woman - I already know it is
Thanks - sorry for the quiz
Emma-Rose

woodbon

Hello I don't know what a nurse can do. Obviously it depends on the consultants instructions and her training level. I suppose she could make sure you see a rhummy asap. I can understand your frustration and I'm sure I'd share it in you position, but you may find that shes able to help you and she may be easier to talk to and have more time. I hope you have a useful experience.
Love Sue

joyful164

I assume that your consultant feels that you are at a stage where you will be in perfect hands with the Rheumatology Nurse. My rheumatology nurse is able to give injections and draining fluid as you describe.

You are very lucky to be able to see a consultant as often as you do. I don't think you need worry

joyful

emmarose33

Thanks for the info everyone

There are two ways of looking at it, I'm lucky I see her so often, or I'm unlucky I have to see her so often. I have narrowly escaped being admitted, because my baby is a good enough excuse to stay at home!

I think the reason I am seeing the nurse is that we have tried everything to get my joints down now, and she is waiting for me to give the go ahead that my baby is fully weaned so we can try mtx.

I am not angry about it, I totally understand, and a little excited to meet the nurse for the first time. I am hoping that once my little one is fully weaned I will be able to get my joints under control and I will only need to see the nurse for check-up's and the consultant every 6 months or something.

mrsdalloway

Cor Emma where do you live? You have been really lucky to see consultant that many times I think on average I am lucky if I see mine twice a year! My rheumy nurse is fantastic and to be honest probably more knowledgeable than the consultants she is certainly easier to talk to!

emmarose33

mrsdalloway wrote:

Cor Emma where do you live? You have been really lucky to see consultant that many times I think on average I am lucky if I see mine twice a year! My rheumy nurse is fantastic and to be honest probably more knowledgeable than the consultants she is certainly easier to talk to!

It's not my area that allows me to see my consultant, it's out nacessity as my arthritis only started late last year and still hasn't been controlled, I cannot be admitted because I have a baby/toddler to care for.
I look forward to a time when it is controlled enough to just be seen by nurse. Until now we have still been working out treatment, but we've tried everything now, waiting until I finish breatfeeding anf can have mtx. Stopping breastfeeding is much easier said than done, I have a very stubbon little boy!

emmarose33

Hi, I just thought I would update you!
I had my appointment. I was late (grrr, baby's fault) and she was a little annoyed but I apologised a lot. She seems lovely. She said she didn't want to examine me because she could see just from looking at me how bad I was.
The appointment was a bit rushed and stressed because the nurse said she couldn't leave me like this and wanted my consultant to agree for me to go back on pred until my baby is weaned, but cons. had been asked notn to be disturbed and no other doctors were around to write the prescription. She just kept bleeping the registrar and getting really annoyed.
I finally got the prescription today.
The nurse taking my blood said she could tell I was very aneamic just from the colour of it! I am now on iron suppliments (I had been told to take some ages ago but said I had some at home and couldn't find them).
Anyway, so that is that.
Nurse insisted I see cons. in next 2 weeks. I had some pred left over from last time and started taking it yesterday and feeling much much better.
I like the nurse she is very nice, I have an open appointment for her, and she said if I didn't get an appointent through for cons. within a few days to call her and she would chase it up!
xx