doctor appointment on friday

only49

hello everyone

after my visit from d.l.a doctor yesterday i thought it was about time i ought to go back and find out what more she can do for me, as from the time i first went to the doctor about my OA till now i have relised things are not getting easier, i have so far delt with it by trying not to think about what i cant do, and just make the best of it, but yesterday made me relise just how it is, so now i think i need to go and see the doctor, only trouble is i dont know what i should be asking for and what she will be able to do, i hope this make sence as not such a good day with me today but so typical of me making the best of it and putting a brave face on it, any help would be appricated.

sylvia

frogmorton

Hi Sylvia

I think best to write down a list to satrt with. A short one. they never have much time eh?

Tell him what is happening - how much pain and for how long and waht you are now struggling with.

Ask what can be done to help....?

Pain clinic, physio (updated xrays?), diferent meds???

Good luck Sylv I am going tonight too. struggling to sleep I am at the mo

Good luck

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

I suspect the only thing your GP could do is refer you to a rheumatologist and sort out pain medication for you. Oh only49, you have to stop being so independent! I know it's difficult but by getting more help you will be able to do more things. It sounds as though you need the proper meds to start coping better, maybe some anti-depressants too. It is a tough, long road that we are all on: there are many hard steps and decisions along the way but the first - and the hardest- is to learn to ask for help without thinking that you are losing face. You are not. You show mature judgment in requesting assistance because, as I said, it means that you are freed up to do more.

You also have the extra difficulty of your son - I know that you love him very, very much but his problems must, of necessity, make your life harder. What support networks do you have in the Orkneys? Is there any system or organisation that can take part of the strain? Or is that pie-in-the-sky?

Go and see your doctor. Take a list of all the things that are worrying you, that you find difficult, that you cannot cope with. Once she/he knows all that they can then start playing their part in treating and referring you. Take care. DD

only49

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Sylvia

I think best to write down a list to satrt with. A short one. they never have much time eh?

Tell him what is happening - how much pain and for how long and waht you are now struggling with.

Ask what can be done to help....?

Pain clinic, physio (updated xrays?), diferent meds???

Good luck Sylv I am going tonight too. struggling to sleep I am at the mo

Good luck



Love

Toni xx

something needs to happen i getting fed up with arthur he got far too much control and i dont like it, time to give him a kick up the rear end

only49

dreamdaisy wrote:

I suspect the only thing your GP could do is refer you to a rheumatologist and sort out pain medication for you. Oh only49, you have to stop being so independent! I know it's difficult but by getting more help you will be able to do more things. It sounds as though you need the proper meds to start coping better, maybe some anti-depressants too. It is a tough, long road that we are all on: there are many hard steps and decisions along the way but the first - and the hardest- is to learn to ask for help without thinking that you are losing face. You are not. You show mature judgment in requesting assistance because, as I said, it means that you are freed up to do more.

You also have the extra difficulty of your son - I know that you love him very, very much but his problems must, of necessity, make your life harder. What support networks do you have in the Orkneys? Is there any system or organisation that can take part of the strain? Or is that pie-in-the-sky?

Go and see your doctor. Take a list of all the things that are worrying you, that you find difficult, that you cannot cope with. Once she/he knows all that they can then start playing their part in treating and referring you. Take care. DD

too much like my dad, he was just the same, i had enough got to do something about arthur he not going to win after all there must be something that can be done.

dorcas

Hi sylvia,

Yep I agree with the others...write down what arther is like now compared to when you last saw the doc......mobility issues, day to day tasks, sleep, self care (bathing/ showering etc). In fact all the things that the DLA doc would have been asking you about yesterday.

You may need a change in meds too.... and what about hydrotherapy?

I used to live in The Western Isles and had access to a surprising number of supports for being so far out in the Atlantic!...physio, hot wax treatment, OT.... so may be you will just have to ask the doc what s/he knows might be available.

Glad you still have your fighting spirit! arther can't take that away can he

let us know how you get on.

Iris x

frogmorton

Right attitude Sylvia

get your list started and run it by us if it helps.

I been today and it was painless - this time
(got prescrition for jabs ) some valium something for the rash on me bum (Lynn will be releived to hear - collywobble) came away with about 4 prescriptions!

You will be glad you went

HONEST

Toni xx

only49

dorcas wrote:

Hi sylvia,

Yep I agree with the others...write down what arther is like now compared to when you last saw the doc......mobility issues, day to day tasks, sleep, self care (bathing/ showering etc). In fact all the things that the DLA doc would have been asking you about yesterday.

You may need a change in meds too.... and what about hydrotherapy?

I used to live in The Western Isles and had access to a surprising number of supports for being so far out in the Atlantic!...physio, hot wax treatment, OT.... so may be you will just have to ask the doc what s/he knows might be available.

Glad you still have your fighting spirit! arther can't take that away can he

let us know how you get on.

Iris x

i find getting somone who are not going through it to understand the hardest thing of all, as hard as me asking for help, i know my doctors practise dont refer anyone for hydro therapy, in fact they got the folicity and use it for kids so why cant they use it for us, i guess one of there stupid rules.

and surely i dont have to carry on like this the way it is, everyone keeps telling to keep active as much as possible, just as much as i want to but cant, the way i have been dealing with it up to now is not to think about it too much, but just maybe i am starting to come to terms with it, wait for it, why me why me.

dorcas

This is a tough time for you Sylvia...and you have every right to ask why me? we know it doesn't mean you're wishing arther on someone else, but just going through the process of coming to terms with the blighter arther. :x :roll:

I've had PA for nearly twenty years and it took me until last year to even begin to face up to what it was doing to my body and this year to accept that I am disabled! so I do understand what you are going through and how difficult a journey it is.

You are entitled to treatment and as your doc is the 'gatekeeper' to services and potential treatments and support he needs to understand how arther is affecting you. Go to your appointment well prepared...write down how arther is affecting you and also write down what you think might be helpful. Be polite but also be assertive! if you have someone you trust then ask them to go with you and brief them as to what you would like to have achieved from the consultation....two can be better than one!
Have you seen an OT? are you getting the right meds?

keep posting Sylvia...we are here for you.

Iris x

only49

thinking about what i going to say to doctor tomorrow,

so far only thing i can come up with that i need her help, which is a good starting point,

i finding my arthritis is having a bigger impact on what i can do.

this is now where i getting stuck and need your help, any ideas and how you would to tackle this if you was me, i know your not but i thought you might be able to help.

i know there is O T here i asked about hydro before and there's none avialable for adults, not sure about a pain clinic, physio you have to wait a while for but feel i have to sort something out.

sylvia

dreamdaisy

List the things that you find difficult: for example, walking for a reasonable length of time, carrying heavy weights, bending, kneeling and getting up again, being tired, driving, is the pain worse in the mornings or evenings, does it go away then come back - these are just ideas to get you started. I'm not you, I don't have OA, but hopefully these will trigger your thoughts.

Ask to be referred to rheumatology (if you're not going already) and enquire about stronger pain relief or other meds - again, I don't know what's available for OA bods.

Start thinking only49! You may find yourself starting and re-starting a list, that's fine, just organise your thoughts in a way that suits you. Good luck. Dreamdaisy

only49

dreamdaisy wrote:

List the things that you find difficult: for example, walking for a reasonable length of time, carrying heavy weights, bending, kneeling and getting up again, being tired, driving, is the pain worse in the mornings or evenings, does it go away then come back - these are just ideas to get you started. I'm not you, I don't have OA, but hopefully these will trigger your thoughts.

Ask to be referred to rheumatology (if you're not going already) and enquire about stronger pain relief or other meds - again, I don't know what's available for OA bods.

Start thinking only49! You may find yourself starting and re-starting a list, that's fine, just organise your thoughts in a way that suits you. Good luck. Dreamdaisy

thanks that will help. thanks very much

dreamdaisy

Not a problem, you're welcome. DD

dorcas

DD has given you a good list of things to consider...here's a few more!

Think of a 'normal' day ...start with how you feel when you waken, what you need to do before even getting out of bed; managing stairs; using the loo; showering/ bathing; preparing food/ cooking.

If you continue just thinking through the day to day activities and whether you have any difficulties it will help focus your mind and soon build up a picture of the effect arther has had on you since you last saw the doc.... ie.
'this is what I could do when I saw you last...this is how I am now'

Also list what meds and supports etc you have tried; changes you've made to 'accommodate' arther. Ask you OH if he has anything to add...after all he sees you every day!

Please let us know how you get on!

Iris x

ps....there may be services you can be referred to on adjacent islands? or mainland?...being out in the middle of the sea doesn't mean you are less entitled to the services and treatments that help!! I was sent to the mainland for treatments that weren't available 'locally' when I lived in the Western Isles. x

only49

hello

here's my list for my doctors appointment

what do you think?

i can only walk short distances
i can’t kneel down if i do i need help to get back up
when i over do it only thing i can do is go and put my feet up and rest
while experiencing pain i am extremely tired
pain is with me all day long, better after being in bed over night, but as they day goes on it and the more active i am the pain starts.
Finding it difficult to carry on normal life.

dorcas

Hi only49

Isn't it great to get this down on paper! short, sweet and to the point!

....suggest may be to also include which joints you have pain in?

Iris x

frogmorton

Well done Sylvia

Good list - might help to give the pain amark out of ten for him too?

I am wishing you good luck for your appointment tomorrow.

Lots of love

Toni xxx

skezier

Hi Sylvia,

Like the others I think the list is good and back up Iris with make sure you do say exactly where the pain is.... its not unreasonable to want a reason for the pain you know..... make sure they know that! Good luck and keep us posted. Cris x

only49

dorcas wrote:

Hi only49

Isn't it great to get this down on paper! short, sweet and to the point!

....suggest may be to also include which joints you have pain in?

Iris x

done that iris got it printed all ready, thanks for all the help and support. i let you know how i get on my appointment at 10.40

only49

skezier wrote:

Hi Sylvia,

Like the others I think the list is good and back up Iris with make sure you do say exactly where the pain is.... its not unreasonable to want a reason for the pain you know..... make sure they know that! Good luck and keep us posted. Cris x

will do cris

only49

i was talking to a neighbour that has suffered with RA since she was 38, she was telling all about her experinces and told me that there is a lot they can do pain wise for you, that reasurred me a bit as i was wondering if anything will get done about how i feeling.

you know what i think it always makes a differnce when somone understands, what she must have gone through over the years, and its was very clear to me it was not just her that was going through but her husband was in a way as he was quite upset about it and you could see he really felt for his wife.

dreamdaisy

Good luck for tomorrow. Take your list, go through it with the doctor, don't hide anything. We'll be thinking of you. DD

ironic

Hope it goes well for you tomorrow.

You can do this, deep breath and tell it how it is.

Lv, Ix

speedalong

Good luck with your appointment, make notes of what the doc says too - preferably whilst in the appointment and if not straight after. Don't forget after telling doc how it is to ask what they can do/offer you. Let us know how you get on.

Speedalong

only49

back from doctor now had something to eat and a cup of tea, i gave doctor my little list she liked it so much she said can she keep it.

yes of course, anyway had blood test to find out if there is anything else going on ie any other forms of arthur, she was a brilliant doctor i always like her but then so does everyone else too.

got a appointment for an xray coming up dont know when yet but i get a letter, and then got to go back one week after xray, and it may more physio and possibly arthroscopy which means they have a closer look at whats going on, that will be done in th day hospital that my son went in for his tooth so he know whats going to happen to me and where i be if that happens.

so now doctor has told me to take 1 or 2 codeine phosphate 4 times a day and usual ibruphern ( cant spell ) senna laxitive if get contispated and paracentamol 2 of them when i have the codiene, i going to rattle at this point, oh well as long as this settles abit thats the main thing.

guess she doing the best she can at the moment she can.

thought i let you know how got on.

sylvia

dreamdaisy

I'm glad it went well, she does sound pleasant. Glad she liked the list! We have some gooid ideas on here, don't we? I'm off to have my lunch - I'll post you later. DD