HOSPITAL APPOINTMENT

marooned

WE ATTENDED HOSPITAL YESTERDAY SAW A REALLY NICE DOCTOR GAVE MY DAUGHTER A GOOD EXAMINATION AND SAYS IT IT RA, ALSO THAT SHE MUST HAVE A HIGH PAIN THRESHHOLD AS HER JOINTS WERE VERY SWOLLEN AND SHE DIDNT JUMP THROUGH THE CEILING, SHE HAD TO HAVE AN INJECTION IN HER BUM AND X RAYS AND BLOODS AND GOES BACK TO SEE PHYSIO AND OCCUPATIONAL THRAPIST AND TO START THE MEDICATION AND THEN HAS TO HAVE BLOODS DONE EVERY 2 WKS ,
MY HEAD IS IN A SPIN MY DAUGHTER IS REALLY UPSET WERE DO WE GO FROM NOW DONT NO WHAT TO DO OR SAY TO HER TO MAKE THINGS BETTER, PLEASE HELP SOMEONE :roll:

jenzie06

Hiya
Sorry to hear your daughter has been diagnosed with RA. Can I ask how old she is? There is a young persons forum which can provide her with support if it is suitable. I was diagnosed with RA at 15years old and can say that whilst it can be a right pain my life hasn't ended. I'm 27yrs old now and have gotten married and currently expecting my first baby next month.
I assume the injection in her bum was a steroid injection? If that's the case then it can take a few days to work but she should see an improvement soon.
The diagnosis, whilst being quite shocking, can be a positive step. Now they can get her treatment organised and she can start feeling better. I'd advise taking in a list of questions when you next see the doctor as if you're anything like me, its easy to forget to ask what you want to ask.
I hope she starts to feel better very soon and I hope you find this post helpful.

Jen

julie16

Hi,

I can understand how you feel as things seem to move very fast don't they? I have inflammatory Arthritis of which RA is, but I don't have the RA factor which is one of the things they test your blood for.

I went from sitting in the hosp waiting room thinking I hope they don't think I'm wasting their time to seeing the rheumatologist who diagnosed IA to being put on medication, sent for x-rays to check for damage, put on medication and told I'd need to come every 2 weeks for blood tests to check that the medication wasn't causing any problems.

This was over a year and a half and I've now been told to come every 2 months for the blood tests I've had no problems with the meds other than extreme nausea which improved once I changed from methotrexate tablets to self-injecting once a week.

It can be scary to start with but things should be easier. Did they make an appointment for you to see the nurse who will explain about the meds?

Please feel free to message me if I can help in any way. I sure they'll be plenty of people who'll reply with help.

Julie

elnafinn

Hi

Sounds like it was a "good" hospital appointment yesterday and she is being taken under the wing of the medics. Peeps say that those "bum" injections work well. Of course your daughter is upset and you too, all you can do is be there for her. We have asked before, wouldn't your daughter like to join us here on the forum and see all the support and help she would get if she posted. she would be made very welcome as everyone is. It may help your daughter to write down how she is feeling and asking any questions of us, knowing that she is amongst others who do know what it is like, because we all have some form of arthritis to a greater or lesser degree.

Luv
Elna x

marooned

MY DAUGHTER IS 23, I THINK SHE WILL JOIN AS SOON AS SHE COME TO TERMS WITH EVERYTHING,

elnafinn

We can and do help some to begin to come to terms with it all as it is not always easy to do that on one's own. She would be made very welcome and there is no need for us to know that she is your daughter.

Luv
Elna x

valval

twenty three is so young to get your head around this unfortunatly there r lots of young people on here with arther (so unfair at least it waited till i was getting on) so she will get lotts of advice from her peer group when she is ready just listen and give her a hug she will be shocked then scared then angry we all were and she will need you to listen and not judge just be there when she needs you is the best you can do

marooned

THANK YOU SO MUCH

janie68

Hi

I was also 23 when I was diagnosed. Treatment these days is so much better and can put the RA in remission. Sounds as though you have a good rheumy and that makes a lot of difference. Be positive as the outlook can be, and your daughter may not suffer much damage at all with the right meds.

Janie

frogmorton

What does she do??

What do you do??

You start to get your heads round it and read lots and talk lots and cry and shout and scream and pretend its not happening until you do get your heads round it.

The upside is that she will strat her treatment very soon and then the only way is up. Serioulsy not wishing to minimise anything she WILL feel better once her mesd are sorted and life will get so much better than it is now.

If you can get her on here do. This forum and the guys on here kept me from loosing it completely when this first happened to me. I cried all day every day for at least a week

I wish you both all the best and if you want us to be we will be with you every step of the way

Love

Toni xx

caprica

Hey Marooned,

I'm also 23 and in a similar situation to your daughter. Been havin symptoms about 3 and a half months now. It's a total bummer, and I bet she's feeling like life is REALLY unfair to land this on her head at such an early age.

You're being a great mum to her, finding out information and supporting her like this. I think my mum's in denial, and because I can still function normally I hide a lot of it from her and don't talk about any of it. I did the first month when I was in hysterics but now I avoid the subject. I don't want to worry her, she has so many problems already. Sigh.
I think this diagnosis puts a lot of guilt on the child, because I'm guessing she's at the age like me where she's starting to make her own income and thinking about the future and how she'd like to look after you when you get old. And now it's all messed up. It's tough, I'm not sure how to get through those feelings myself but it's amazing that you are so supportive of her.

Like the others have said your daughter would be very welcome on here, it's a forum full of encouragement and good advice.

She can also ring the helpline if she'd rather speak to someone in person.
Also depending on where you guys are in the country Arthritis Care organises special support groups for people between 17 and 25 called Joint Potential. Worth looking up, I've joined the Scottish one and it's great.

marooned

caprica wrote:

Hey Marooned,

I'm also 23 and in a similar situation to your daughter. Been havin symptoms about 3 and a half months now. It's a total bummer, and I bet she's feeling like life is REALLY unfair to land this on her head at such an early age.

You're being a great mum to her, finding out information and supporting her like this. I think my mum's in denial, and because I can still function normally I hide a lot of it from her and don't talk about any of it. I did the first month when I was in hysterics but now I avoid the subject. I don't want to worry her, she has so many problems already. Sigh.
I think this diagnosis puts a lot of guilt on the child, because I'm guessing she's at the age like me where she's starting to make her own income and thinking about the future and how she'd like to look after you when you get old. And now it's all messed up. It's tough, I'm not sure how to get through those feelings myself but it's amazing that you are so supportive of her.

Like the others have said your daughter would be very welcome on here, it's a forum full of encouragement and good advice.

She can also ring the helpline if she'd rather speak to someone in person.
Also depending on where you guys are in the country Arthritis Care organises special support groups for people between 17 and 25 called Joint Potential. Worth looking up, I've joined the Scottish one and it's great.

thank you so much,

marooned

WHEN I GOT HOME YESTERDAY SHE WAS A LOT BRIGHTER, HER KNEE WAS STILL BADLY SWOLLEN BUT I THINK THE INJECTION WAS KICKING IN AS OVERALL SHE FELT A LOT BETTER, SHE IS GOING TO JOIN THE FORAM SO SHE CAN CHAT TO YOU ALL, SHE ENJOYED BEING UP WITH THE HORSES AND IS GOING TO DISCUSS ON HER NEXT VISIT ABOUT RIDING AS SHE DOES COMPETE IN SJ/XC ECT ALL THO HASNT FOR A WHILE DUE TO THE PAIN, SO HOPEFULLY WHEN FEELING BETTER SHE CAN GET BACK TO COMPETING ? , IT REALLY IS NICE ON THIS FORAM AND EVERYONE IS SO SUPPORTIVE, I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO LISTEN AS WELL ALL THO I DONT NO MUCH ABOUT RA SO COULDNT HE;LP MUCH IN THAT DEPARMENT BUT I AM A MUM TO 3 CHILDREN SO ALWAYS HAPPY TO JUST LISTEN, ONCE AGAIN THANKYOU AND I WILL POST ONCE WE HAVE THE NEXT APPT

maria09

Wishing your daughter the very best of luck
You seem to be a very caring Mum & she will get through this with you
Hope she joins us soon
I have found everyone on here so helpful & positive
Best wishes Maria x

frogmorton

marooned wrote:

WHEN I GOT HOME YESTERDAY SHE WAS A LOT BRIGHTER, HER KNEE WAS STILL BADLY SWOLLEN BUT I THINK THE INJECTION WAS KICKING IN AS OVERALL SHE FELT A LOT BETTER, SHE IS GOING TO JOIN THE FORAM SO SHE CAN CHAT TO YOU ALL, SHE ENJOYED BEING UP WITH THE HORSES AND IS GOING TO DISCUSS ON HER NEXT VISIT ABOUT RIDING AS SHE DOES COMPETE IN SJ/XC ECT ALL THO HASNT FOR A WHILE DUE TO THE PAIN, SO HOPEFULLY WHEN FEELING BETTER SHE CAN GET BACK TO COMPETING ? , IT REALLY IS NICE ON THIS FORAM AND EVERYONE IS SO SUPPORTIVE, I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO LISTEN AS WELL ALL THO I DONT NO MUCH ABOUT RA SO COULDNT HE;LP MUCH IN THAT DEPARMENT BUT I AM A MUM TO 3 CHILDREN SO ALWAYS HAPPY TO JUST LISTEN, ONCE AGAIN THANKYOU AND I WILL POST ONCE WE HAVE THE NEXT APPT

I think she will get back to her horses. She will learn how far she can push herself. Doing something she loves will be more likley to help her

Love

Toni xx

woodbon

Hello,
I remember your post from several weeks back, I'm so sorry you didn't get any better news. The positive thing is that your daughter is young and the new drugs they have now, work better the sooner you can start them and you've got a diagnosis straight away, so she can start treatment immediatly, as she has. Also, at 23 she will be able to take advantage of the new treatments as they come along. So, it dosn't make things easier for you both, but she is starting from a much better position than people a few years back.

I think she will need time to be sad and upset, shes just had a horrible shock and so have you. You will need to get used to it too. Have you phoned the Helpline number at the top of the page? They are very good, and have lots of leaflets and information about RA and what to expect. Although everyone is different.

If you have a good GP, maybe you or/and your daughter could go along and talk to them, they may be able to fill in some of the gaps and worries the hospital has left you with.

I hope you will both find that as the days pass, you will get used to coping and find that things are better than you feel at the moment. Take care, lots of love and good wishes to you both, from Sue xxxxxx

marooned

HI ALL,CLARE HAD THE APPOINMENT FOR PHYSIO 14TH APRIL AND OCC ON THE 21ST WHICH IS 4WKS AWAY IS THIS THE NORMAL TIME
TO WAIT AFTER THE INITIAL APPOINMENT. AND SHE HAS HAD THE INJECTION, HOW LONG SHOULD IT BE BEFORE SHE GETS AN APPT FOR THE MEDS TO START
THANKS
SORRY TO BE A PAIN XX

marooned

HI THERE CAN ANYONE HELP WITH THE ABOVE TOPIC AND ALSO HOW LONG DOES THE INJECTION LAST FOR THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD IN HER BUM :?:

woodbon

Hi, I'm sorry, I have OA so can't help you, but I think most people get a coupld of months or so from the steriod injection. Not too sure, someone will be along in a miniute or so.
Love Sue

speedalong

Just to say hi, Marooned and also hi to your daughter.

Why don't you just leave the computer on and the forum open - she might just take a peak ...

I joined a similar forum to this for my (foster) son as he developed epilepsy at age 17. I found the forum very supportive. Then when my oestoarthritis really started being a pain - I found this forum - but it took more courage to start posting because this time it was about me!! However, I started reading the posts and it was a revelation (durrr!!) to realise that lots of peeps were having the same problems and worries - especially at work. Now I'm always posting!!!

Speedalong