Had my first appointment!

happy_feet

It went quite well, or I think it did, and the rhuemy was lovely. I knew my flare would have eased off but never mind...
First of all he got all my history and asked a few questions, then when he started to examine me I told him my back hurt on the left hand side when I breathe in, (Ive been worrying about this for a while being a smoker) The rest is a blur after this I was so frightened!
He listened to my chest and back and said Im going to send you for an Xray on your chest, I said are you thinking about cancer and he said the length of time youve smoked, and the amount you smoke I have to consider it. He said I`ll get the bloods done, send you down for the Xray and slot you back in when I get the results. This all took about an hour and a half but when I went back down he got me straight back in, he knew how frightened I was, I didnt even get in the door and he said the Xray is clear. I felt like Id won the lottery!! (And Im now going to stop smoking!)
Anyway, the Xrays he had in front of him of my hips he said werent bad, a little osteo but theres no joint space loss, and he cant understand why its causing the pain it is, and my left thumb joint has little spikes. (Funny that doesnt hurt much it just grinds and feels horrible!)
He got the Xray of my chest up and my shoulders were perfect! Nothing there at all! I was quite upset about this because the pain is horrendous, especially if I do the housework. I feel like a fake!
Then he said he would send me for a bone scan, he said Id be given an injection and Im sure he said stuff would light up? Does this mean the scan shows more than the Xray? He said he would test the bloods for psyrisis (SP?) because my dad had that, and brucellosis because of where Ive been.
He did ask if there was anything Id like to ask but after the chest Xray its all a blur I think I was in a state of shock, I didnt even think to ask about how I get the blood results, or how long I would wait for the bone scan. I had so much to ask and it all went. And when he examined me and moved my legs, feet and ankles it didnt hurt at all, everything he did was something that doesnt hurt, its more when Im sitting, standing or walking. :? I really do feel like a fake!
He did find water on my knee though if thats any sign of anything?
He said not to take tramadol but to up the codeine dose, Im on epilepsy meds so cant take it
So today Im sitting here wondering what the hell is going on...Im very confused... :?

valval

i must admit took oh with me on first visit as was scared and did not remember anything he said had convinced my self that on second visit he would say oa nothing he could do so went on my own big mistake lol said still some inflimation so take these tabs lol no idea how he said to take them so had to ask pharmcy lol . so you r not on your own i get fluid on knees from time to time it normal with arther. phone nurse or his secutery (spelling rubbish) they will explain they r used to us taking nothing in or try your gp can speek to mine on phone so when in dout ask no one will mind

tkachev

It was a very thorough examination.I am sure he doesnt think you are making the pain up.Pain comes and goes depending on different factors.I had a similar experience during a DLA medical when I could touch the floor no problem but usually had immense pain and couldnt pick up things from the floor.Another day you will get the pain.I am sure they are aware that it comes and goes.
You had a lot of things going on I am not surprised things are a blur.You could ring up and ask some questions stating that you couldnt think straight after the cancer scare.I am sure he will understand.
Keep posting and you can always ring the helpline to get some answers.Or post on here....
Good luck Wendy
Elizabeth

frogmorton

I had a chest xray too
Think Ra can go to your lungs....???
Well done for trying to stop smoking

Give it a day or two then things will become clearer and next visit you will know more what you want to ask.

Love

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Wendy,

Glad he was thorougher though. Hey the intercostrials can get inflamed and they wont show up on x ray and you are def not a fraud there at all. Chest x rays like that do your lungs but well all these things are done at certain depths to look at certain bits so one x ray aimed at one bit may not show much of another bit that might be the problem...... Well thats the way I understand it....

Your next visit might be more helpful as all tests etc will be back. I really hope it will soon settle own for you and will hope it does. Mine hurts for around 7-10 days and then moves to the collar bones and does the same before coming back to the ribs and sternum. My Rumo tells me its all conected but he has never said how...... Mind I never asked him either. Cris x

happy_feet

Thanks for the replies. Youre all really good.
I didnt get another appointment when I was there, would they just send me another appointment after the bone scan? I have to go to a different hospital for the scan so I wont be seeing the rhuemy. I wonder if I should ring and ask to speak to him? I feel bad doing that when I know theyre so busy :? I feel such an idiot now, Im kicking myself after waiting all that time for the appointment but my mind was totally blank. I so wish Id taken someone but I thought I would be ok, wasnt expecting the chest Xray or the fear of cancer! :shock:
Will I now have to wait months for the scan? What happens with the blood results do I need to ring my doctor or the rhuemy? Sorry about all this :roll:

frogmorton

[
PS Have you changed your username????? Now THAT has confused me :shock: :shock: :?[/quote]

me too :shock: :shock:
doesn't take much tho :oops:
Toni x

skezier

Think I might have changed it for you or two posts are simular....or I just lost the plot :oops: :oops:

frogmorton

skezier wrote:

Think I might have changed it for you or two posts are simular....or I just lost the plot :oops: :oops:

Oh dear
think we all better go to the cafe for a restorative cuppa :roll:
Toni x

happy_feet

Chris! What have you done?! Im joking I had my name changed.
Ok, how do I find out who the secretary is? Do I just ring the number I have on the appointment letter? I was at outpatients but theres a number on the letter and it says "contact centre" Is the lady on reception the secretary?

frogmorton

I think
I'm goin slightly mad..... :shock:
Toni x

skezier

Hi Happy Feet

I really got confused then..... don't take much though

With mine I just rang the min switch bored and asked to be put through. She was ever so helpful as well. One blood test the hospital does takes a bit longer though. I think I would wait till after the scan and then get an appointment as it could help with the diagnosis quite a bit. Good luck and thanks for restoring my wisp of sanity Cris x