First appointment nerves

miss_l
miss_l Member Posts: 138
edited 9. Feb 2010, 09:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

I had my THR 6 monts ago due to OA and avascular necrosis and havent been quite right for the past 4 months in my other joints. I decided to see my Dr two weeks ago and had some bloods etc.
They came back with an elevated CRP and RA factors present and she has referred me to a rheumatologist who i see in a few weeks.
I'm really worried at the moment.
Not sure what to expect at the Rhumy or if in fact i even have RA (does the raised blood mean it's a done thing?!)

My head feels all over the place and just needed to talk to people that understand x

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Miss l

    Easy for me to say but try not to worry.

    First point do not go alone! take someone with you to say it for you and to remember stuff you forget.

    Secondly take a list - of symptoms and also questions. Start it now. It will really make you feel more prepared.

    Thirdly I don't know what will definietly happen but they likely will examine you (jogging gear and best pants :wink: ) take some xrays and take your history verbally.

    If they decide it is RA they may well want you to think about some meds like disease modifying anti rheumatics - one of the gentler ones like me to start with.

    Finally if you have got RA try not to worry - if you've had your hip done sounds like you might have been living with it a while already.

    You take care

    Love

    Toni xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Miss I,

    I am sorry your having a second type of arthritis banded at you but I think raised levels now and then doesn't always mean it is ra. I also fond my Rumo did much along the lines Toni said though he also sent me for an ultra sound as well and an MRI.

    Like you I had a ? over the ra, mine wasn't, it was pa but a friend said to me (and its so true) when I was freaking out that it had been with me for some time and I had coped so well hopefully it wont make a huge impact on you physically for a very long time. My Rumo put me on sulfa and well some people respond ok to it. You take care and try and no get too wound up and sending you a ((( ))) Cris