Rheumy Appointment

annie_mial
annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
edited 10. Jul 2010, 06:33 in Living with Arthritis archive
Heard today that I face a wait of 12-16 weeks for an initial Rheumy appointment in my new area.

During the last few weeks have come up with some new symptoms which I find worrying, so bit the bullet and asked for a private appointment (gulp). Don't like doing it, but I can't wait that long - I'm on MTX anyway!

So, I have an appointment for 20th July......could have had one next week, but it was with a Dr. Unpronounceable so was a bit wary.....I have trouble understanding any accent from Watford upwards, let alone any other country.

I am also rather nervous about seeing a new Rheumy......hells bells, I got nervous seeing the old one, but at least I knew what she looked like!

Still not really sure if I've done the right thing..........

Annie

Comments

  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie

    That does sound like a long wait so I am glad you have decided to as you say 'bite the bullet' and get an earlier one. Less stressful too. Am sure you will be nervous but do hope it goes well for you. You do seem to be getting settled there, but there are lots of firsts which will be a bit scary I'm sure. Thanks for the pms, I am listening Annie and kinda processing everything ready for the inevitable whenever/ whatever that is so your recent suggestions are really helping and not falling on stony ground honest.

    Take care, we will be ready for pocket duties as usual. :D
    love
    Chris x
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Annie

    I'm sure you have done the right thing. You have got some problems and you should have them checked Annie, even if you are ok it is still wise to get it sorted.

    You will only be wondering otherwise. Go and get it over with.

    I will get in your pocket if you want me to.

    Love Trish xxx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,

    I think you have done the right thing, that was a long time to wait. This rheumy does NHS too? Check as you will then be able to hopefully transfer over to their NHS list and not have to have an appointment with a different one next time.

    You are bound to feel a bit nervous, but the whole thing should be a positive experience. I'm sure it was DD to said that they allow you mor e time, there is less of a rush and very little waiting around ... Prepare for the appointment and write down questions and things you want to say/discuss. You'll be fine.

    Well done for being pro-active.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,

    i think its the right thing to have done to be honest. 10-12 weeks is a very long tie and well at east you can see the one you want this way.

    Hope it all goes well and its not too far to wait really, not compared to he NHS ones. We will be in your pockets so that might help? Cris xx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Annie

    You have done the right thing! I am sure of it - 20th is pretty soon and I hope you will get some really good help then

    Let us know how you get on and dont worry this person will be really nice - i can feel it in my waters :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • parrotman
    parrotman Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie,

    Wish you well with your consultation. Unsure if this is at Watford or not. If it is and as Speedy has suggested it may be possible for you to be subsequently referred to NHS for treatment, you might want to consider St Albans City Hospital as an alternative. I live in Watford but attend St Albans as I feel it is better. The Watford Rheummie team come under the ' main man ' who is based at St Albans and who I see.

    I accept that one can only speak as one finds.

    Am surprised at the waiting length of some of the appt times as I was offered any hospital I wanted and whilst Watford was 4 weeks I chose St Albans at 6 weeks. This was back in december.

    Hope all goes well for you,

    regards John
    P1010005-1.jpg
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie, Just wanted to wish you luck for your appt. I also think you have done the right thing by getting seen sooner rather than later.

    Hope they got your records sorted at the new GP's.

    Your garden sounds nice, glad things are coming together for you both.

    Lv, Ix
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie :D
    you definitely have done the right thing :!: and at least you will get a proper consultation and not the ten minutes we sometimes get!!

    just remember the golden rules (and some new ones) .....

    write down what you want to ask...

    provide a brief history of you and arther

    list all your symptoms/ recent changes in arther

    pain levels...

    whether current meds are working

    take your most recent blood results! (have them done next week so's you've got really up to date readings)

    take backup! so that if you forget anything you'll be prompted; also another pair of ears is useful in remembering what was said. :wink:

    take a notebook...why not? you're paying for this consultation so get your 'chaparone' to take notes!

    oh and remember that he will ask why you've come to see him (seems obvious but be prepared to tell him!)

    Good luck Annie :mrgreen: don't be nervous...you'll be great :!:

    Irisx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie
    Glad you have got an appointment, I hope they put you more at ease then your last one, good luck and hope it goes well.
    I have my first one on Monday, and I am getting nervous has to what they do.
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    A big thank you to everyone who has replied! Parrotman, I'm in Sussex on the coast, far removed from Watford but thank you for the information and the positive thoughts.

    I am taking it all on board and will type up a 'quick history of Annie and Arther' to take with me. Hopefully daughter will be able to come with me - not OH, he's hopeless - so should be OK.

    There is a new twist to this, phoned the doctor's surgery and told them I have booked a private appointment in desperation....had a phone call from them this morning asking me to go in Friday am to discuss this with the doctor...............unfortunately it's the doc I saw in the first place who did not fill me with enthusiam and the joys of spring then.......however, willing to give anyone a second chance so will go along and find out what it's all about.

    Thanks again to all
    Annie xxxx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie, sorry only just picked up on this thread. Glad you have managed to get an appointment - even if you have had to go private! Good luck for 20th!

    Also hope all goes well at doc's tomorrow morning and that he is more positive and helpful this time round!

    Will be thinking of you.

    Love Tilly x
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Saw the doctor at her request this morning. Wanted to know why I wanted a referral, if you please.........can't make this out since I know that my notes were marked with the information that I required ongoing monitoring due to recent problems with the steroids.

    I was not expecting this and so went unprepared. I tried to explain that apart from the above, during the last few weeks new and worrying symptoms have emerged. Got the impression that she didn't exactly disbelieve what I was saying, but that she thought it was all very trivial. Well, what do you lot think; I've got legs and feet that are icy cold even in a heatwave and toes on my right foot are numb. On the odd day when they are not icy cold (like today - it's over 80 here today) they are on fire and most of the time so bloody painful that I could cry.

    However, she did see that I was getting upset and she did agree to mark the referral urgent and make the point that I was willing to accept a cancellation.

    Now I don't know whether to keep my private appointment on the 20th or wait for the NHS referral in the hope of getting a cancellation.

    What annoys me most is that I was assured that the referral would be done as soon as they received my medical notes (when I explained at the initial apppintment). That was almost three weeks ago and obviously it still hasn't gone out. Oh, she also said that they hadn't got my telelphone number! I feel that a) my notes are so copious that she couldn't be bothered to read them and b) no one has read my application form to them either!

    Annie
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Annie

    I'm so sorry to read this. I thought it was supoosed to be going through as quickly as possible.

    I would not mind betting that like me when your notes really get bigger they give up.

    If it were me I would not cancell the private appointment. If you get the NHS appointment through you can cancell the private one.
    I don't think you should risk waiting to see if the NHS one comes through.

    Annie, you know all the trouble you have been in plus the new symptoms you have now got.Just hang on to that private one.

    love and a hug(((((((((())))
    Trish xxxx


    Y
  • carola
    carola Member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie

    Sometimes it can turn out to be a good thing seeing a different Rheumy as they may have a 'miracle' idea etc.

    I think you have done the right thing as you are taking control and that is so important for us all.

    Good luck with it and hope you have a good weekend.

    Carol
  • angel1
    angel1 Bots Posts: 1,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Call me cynical, but I think someone has messed up somewhere along the line. The referral, as you said, should have been sent off weeks ago. Also, if it can be marked urgent now, why couldn`t it have been then.

    Did you need a referral from the GP for the private appointment? I had to when I had a private consultation. Apparently it is "courtesy".

    I agree with Trish. Don`t cancel the appointment Annie. If - and it`s a big if! - the NHS one comes through, you can cancel then if you want to. I hate to say it, given what we`ve all paid over the years, but it really is a much better experience going privately. You also need the peace of mind right now.......Ange.
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi go to private one think you will still have a wait so bite the bullet and get it over with at least you will know what going on and that you need to know val
    val
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie....I agree with the other peeps...keep your private appointment.
    Sounds like your GP (sorry to say) was just covering her back when she heard you were going for a private consultation. :roll:

    However it may have given her a proverbial and much needed 'boot up the backside' and who knows? maybe things will happen now with the jolly local nhs referral?...but I wouldn't count on it happening quickly.

    Anyway...keep the private appointment.....a fresh pair of eyes.... and ears willing to listen and provide advice and answers is well worth paying for. :wink:

    Iris x will be rooting for you Annie...good luck x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi thats what I was thinking of doing as my August appointment was put back until December! I phoned the hospital to see if they had made a mistake or something, but know, the doctors are on holidays!!!

    The secretary did suggest that if I was free, I could say I'd have a short notice cancellation. I said yes, not really thinking it would make much difference. Well, a couple of days later I had a phone call from the sec asking if I could come in on Tuesday, so I'm off next Tuesday, to fill an appointment someone else can't make!
    Surpriised that they were so quick! :wink:

    Love Sue