Referrals- GP, or Rheumy nurse???

minky67
minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
edited 23. Mar 2010, 10:00 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi Lynn, just claiming my gold star :wink::lol:
I havent got RA so cant help you there.
My GP refered me to get splints & my Rhymy refered me to OT but i think your GP can refer you for anything.
I'd start with GP as there your first point of contact & can be seen(sometimes) quicker than you hospital team.
My splints are a godsend & help so much with the hand/wrist pain.

Good luck & i hope you get it sorted.
debs

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn,

    I will ask for a gold star, hell twill be the first one I ever got :lol::lol::lol:

    Can you ring your rumos secretary and ask to see them sooner I wonder, mind mite say its soon enough anyway if its April. I only ever rung mine with at east 3 months till the ext appointment......

    I think gp's can..... I know mine are very bad at it but then....... :roll: I am certain the rumo nurse can't at all....... You could ask her but I think the answer will be along the lines of outside her remit.

    I would give the rumo's secretary a ring before you see the doctor and then you will know if you need to ask her?

    My Rumo referred me to the pain people, and the pain people asked for the ct tests but the uselesses are not typical of all gps..... I hope :wink:

    Hopefully someone else can advise you cus I am only sure the nurse can't make referrals as such..... Love a ((( ))) and a hope you can get a referral from someone soon. Cris xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn,

    Down here you just phone the big hospitals main desk and ask to be put through to the rumo's secretary...... I think be honest thats where I would start if I were you...... Then they can rue out the RA side or confirm it so they will have to send you to someone else after that if needed....... Mind down here isn't always the same as up country..... :wink:

    Oh the Uselessess...... I see a different one this week and need different tablets cus these ain't working..... Not so good just now for a change :lol::lol::lol: I tell you what though I MUST remember to ask for the ct results...... :oops: :lol: Keep forgetting and well twud be nice to know eh? Could explain the swelling and the pain for me.

    What are your hands doing by the way and hope that doesn't mean I didn't read it proper and lose my star :lol::lol: ((( ))) xx
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn

    Just seen you there and as it is silly o'clock I claim two gold stars please :D

    Sorry the finger and wrist a worry. I know very little of RA and this may sound a bit simplistic or naive, but I assume anyone in the medical profession can refer you to any specialist they feel appropriate or at least set the wheels in motion for that to happen? Your GP is the first line for any referral.

    Do you need a scan on the hand to see what is happening? As you have more faith in your GP I would certainly let him know just what you wrote here and that you are not sure if it is RA related.
    Anyway hope the appointment goes well for you.
    take care
    Chris
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn,

    Ah Flower from that I would agree with Chris (and you :wink: ) talk to your doctor. I did hear rumour they can refer you like debs said to anyone....... :lol::lol: For me its rumour..... :wink:

    Have you got more than one Rumo? See I am so lucky I got a nice one but I do have rather un-nice other consultants and they are not good eh?

    Run it past your gp and hopefully they will be able to set the ball in motion to getting it sorted for you. That's a side I find amazing...... is that what gp's do :lol::lol::lol: Good luck and the 1st is quite a long way off as well. Hope it self sorts for you flower, mine haven't yet but you never know :wink::lol::lol: I'm thinking of tying things round my neck like a yolk...... might not drop so much then! :lol::lol: You take care and let us know please. ((( ))) xx
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Your rheumy should be able to refer you. Although, in some cases, they only accept GP referrals. My rheumy referred me to an OT but they OT couldn't refer me to the pain clinic, neither can my rheumy, only the GP. How ridiculous is that?! It's prob worth speaking to yuor GP first and asking. x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn

    In my humble opinion you should get a referral to see a hand specialist referred to by your gp or another gp if he/she is not willing for whatever reason he gives you.

    It is obviously worrying you greatly and this has to be put across to the gp. You know how your hand/wrist is behaving, he does not. Because you have been diagnosed with RA it does not mean that every ailment you get comes under the same umbrella. A hand consultant would be able to help you, that is his speciality.

    Good luck with that, my lovely,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya Lynn,

    Don't you go slapping that sore wrist!

    I agree, it does seem a very muddled system and I'm still on a very steep learning curve with it all! Hopefully your rheumy nurse will put you right next week. I hope you don't get a 'it probably is......' Why do they think we would be happy with answers like that?! If another GP/Rheumy says that, I'll scream!

    Any gold stars left?

    Lois x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,896
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn

    I am claiming my gold star too f035.gif

    There are some here if it helps.

    Me?

    I would ask my GP since you are seeing him/her first.

    If you get no joy then it has to be the rheumy :(

    Good luck and i hope it goes off again soon

    Toni xx