MY FIRST RHEUMY APPOINTMENT

barbara12

I have my first rheumy appointment on monday, I have waited a long time for this, my last one was cancelled.
What I would like to know is what do they do, I have heard they take bloods and xrays, but is this done at your first appointment or do you have to go back.
What sought of things do they ask, I just want to be prepared then I dont mess it up.
Barbara xx

page35

Hi
Yes 1st appointment take blood, xrays, ask Questions about how you feel, health history, and examine you down to underwear.
write some stuff down about your symptoms cos you might forget a few things when your there.
my first appointment i was at the hospital about 4-5 hours, it all takes time waiting for bloods, waiting for xrays etc
if you can get someone to go with you for support it might be a good idea and then you got someone to pass the time with too
good luck

tillytop

Hi Barbara – glad you have finally got your appointment!
I think that whether or not you have further tests on the day of your appointment probably depends on the hospital, but hopefully, you will be able to have it all done at once.
I know that consultant appointments can be scary and my “top tips” for making the most of your appointment would be as follows:
•If you can, take someone with you into your appointment for moral support.
•Before you go make a detailed list of your symptoms, including things like how long you have been unwell, where the symptoms started, length of early morning stiffness (if this applies to you) what medicines, if any you have been taking so far and specific examples of how the symptoms affect your day to day life. I have learned from experience to take 2 copies of my list so that, if I get upset or embarassed, I can pass the list over to the doc to read – and to keep for my file for future reference.
•Also make and take with you a list of any specific questions you have – it’s very easy to forget to ask them at the time.
•At the end of the appointment make sure you ask, if it is not clear, what happens next and when you can expect to know the results of any tests.
•Find out whether your rheumatology department has a helpline and/or a rheumatology nurse who you can contact with any questions which occur to you later on. It was years before I knew that this service existed at my hospital because nobody told me!
I can’t think of anything else to add, but I’m sure other peeps will be along soon with pearls of wisdom!
Really good luck on Monday – I will be thinking of you.
Love Tilly x

barbara12

Hi page and tilly..you are a lovely lot, thanks for all that information...I will write down all my questions, oh and I had better buy some new underwear I really wish it was all over.
My OH is coming with me but I wont let him in the room,I would rather do that bit on my own.
Thankyou again
Barbara xx

ironic

HI Barbara,
Good luck with your appointment. It’s a weird mixture of apprehension and expectation!
First do get there a bit early as car parking can be a bit iffy, oh and take some change for the meter.
They will weigh you and take your BP, then its water samples. Then back to the waiting area. Hubby may like to take something to read while you go in.
You know about your list but he will ask you what tablets you are taking including herbal and over the counter ones. Then go through your history and pain hotspot areas. Bodily functions, rashes etc.
There will be a nurse there to help you get undressed if required and then settle you on the examination couch. Oh yes new underwear a good idea.
After the interview you may well be sent for blood tests and then onto X-ray if required.
You will be may be asked if you want a copy of the report sent to you. I have taken this up but that is up to you if you prefer your Dr to tell you next time you see them.
Back home, a very large cuppa and breathe.

barbara12

Ironic Thankyou for all the information, it really does make a difference, I will get my OH to take a good book, I dont know why I get so scared, it must be the unknown.
I shall make my list out, and fingers crossed it goes well :shock: I am such a wimp, but having you lot really helps.
Tankyou
Barbara xx

tillytop

Hi Barbara - just to say do think really carefully about perhaps taking your OH into the actual appt with you. I have been "leaving my OH in the waiting room" for the past 14 years until a very difficult appt recently when I "allowed" him to come in with me and it made the world of difference having him there. Also, when there is a lot of info to take in I find some of it just goes over my head, so being able to discuss it with someone else who was actually there is hugely valuable. It also might help OH to feel more involved and to be able to understand better what you are going through which will help him too. Just a thought! Love Tilly x

elnafinn

Dear Barbara

You have been given lots of feedback on what will go on at your appointment on Monday. I just wanted to wish you well with it all and look forward to hearing about how it went as and when you are ready to tell us.

You can feel quite confident when you enter the room now, especially in your new underwear!

Love
Elna x

marion1952

Hi Barbara

My first attandance was pretty much as the others have described, but I was also given a steroid injection in my bottom at the end of the consultation and given various leaflets about arthritis and medications.

There were two rooms - one where I spoke to the consultant and then the examination room next door - so if it's the same at your hospital your OH could stay in the consultant's room whilst you are in the examination room....

Hope it all goes OK on Monday.

Marion

roses1

Hi Barbara,

Good luck with your appointment , you have indeed been given lots of good advice. Only wish i had found this site before with all these wonderful people I am however feeling robbed :roll: i didnt have to get down to me undies :roll: Thankfully!

Rose x

barbara12

elnafinn wrote:

Dear Barbara

You have been given lots of feedback on what will go on at your appointment on Monday. I just wanted to wish you well with it all and look forward to hearing about how it went as and when you are ready to tell us.

You can feel quite confident when you enter the room now, especially in your new underwear!

Love
Elna x

thankyou elna...I shall go and buy some very large M&S knickers :shock: :oops: sorry I am such a winp :?
Barbara xx

barbara12

marion1952 wrote:

Hi Barbara

My first attandance was pretty much as the others have described, but I was also given a steroid injection in my bottom at the end of the consultation and given various leaflets about arthritis and medications.

There were two rooms - one where I spoke to the consultant and then the examination room next door - so if it's the same at your hospital your OH could stay in the consultant's room whilst you are in the examination room....

Hope it all goes OK on Monday.

Marion

Hi Marion and thankyou, its so good to go with all this info, I hope there are two rooms, then my OH can come in the first one and tell me what was said afterwards because I wont remember a thing :roll:
Barbara xx

barbara12

Well another phone call today to tell me they are cancelling my appointment yet again.....I got all upset over this...and believe me I dont usually get upset....but I just need to find out why I have pain all through me...the receptionist said she will ring me back to see if they can fit me in :x

skezier

Hi Barbara,

I really hope it goes well and you have a good one, I have a very good one and it makes so much difference!

My fist appointment was not about the bones (it was about the bad circulation. Huge stroke of luck it came under his department) but he asked if there was anything else he could do for me and I said I had the oa and could he take over the pain relief.... he was fascinated about my back, he said I had been lucky and was operated on by very good surgeon... he was right

He arranged bloods as I had not had any before and he sent me for more xrays, injected my elbows, shoulder and knees and I have been seeing him every since.

I so hope you have the list (I never remember) and that it goes well. Luv and a ((( ))) with a huge great good luck and you need bigger pockets by the way Cris xx

barbara12

skezier wrote:

Hi Barbara,

I really hope it goes well and you have a good one, I have a very good one and it makes so much difference!

My fist appointment was not about the bones (it was about the bad circulation. Huge stroke of luck it came under his department) but he asked if there was anything else he could do for me and I said I had the oa and could he take over the pain relief.... he was fascinated about my back, he said I had been lucky and was operated on by very good surgeon... he was right

He arranged bloods as I had not had any before and he sent me for more xrays, injected my elbows, shoulder and knees and I have been seeing him every since.

I so hope you have the list (I never remember) and that it goes well. Luv and a ((( ))) with a huge great good luck and you need bigger pockets by the way Cris xx

hi Cris thankyou for that....I am still waiting a phone call to say if they are cancelling once again...will let you know how I get on

frogmorton

Hi Barbara

well after all that I dont think I can add anything!

Glad the apt is immininent and will cross my fingers for you.

Love

Toni xx

tillytop

Barbara I am so sorry to hear that they have cancelled your appointment AGAIN! That really is awful and I am not at all surprised you got upset.
If you don't hear back from the receptionist soon, do chase up - and don't take "no" for an answer. You really do need to be seen.
I know it's not an easy thing to do but, if the receptionist doesn't get back to you, you could always just turn up at the hospital at the appointment time anyway. From what the receptionist says it sounds as if the clinic is still running so there is no reason why they shouldn't see you.
Really, really good luck.
Love Tilly x

dorcas

Hi Barbara.....so sorry you've had your appointment cancelled for Monday that is awful for you. :roll:

what reason did she give for cancelling? wonder what would have happened if you hadn't taken her call?...sorry Barbara that's not helpful of me :oops:

If that receptionist doesn't phone you first thing on Monday then you phone them ... mistakes get made and may be she hasn't got it right about the cancellation....so best check it out...

love n hugs,

Iris xx

dolittle

Hi Barbara,
Been missing for a while and having trouble reading all the posts - keep getting interrupted with small issues like ... food, the getting of!

But I thought I'd chip in and say that they had two rooms when I went - one for discussion and one for examination. I had my bloods and X-Rays done before I saw the consultant. I used to go by myself but I have learned that I get a better, more helpful response if my OH is with me. It also saves him being excluded and he then knows what this arthur thing is all about, instead of just watching me popping pills and ranting with the pain. He also seems to ask questions I wouldn't dare. Do, do, do ask questions and make sure you get the answers to everything you want to know. I find they don't 'offer' information you have to ask.

Hope it all goes well. Bet you'll look a belter in them big knickers! You can always use them as wind socks later .. to tell you which way the wind's blowin'.
I felt daunted when I first went - don't. It'll be OK, chucks ... remember - you are in charge.
Dolittle

barbara12

Can I just thank everyone for your replies...you are a lovely lot, has I have said yet again my appointment has been cancelled, they never got back to me friday,
I rang them and surprise couldn't get through, I am going to ring them first thing tomorrow, and if they cant find me an appointment, then I may well just turn up and do a sit in till they see me.
Thankyou again for all the info and support.
Love Barbara xx

marion1952

Oh Barbara that's very disappointing .. hope you get another appointment soon..

Marion

ironic

Hello Barbara,

I was so sorry to hear about the appointment. That was such short notice. Then not to get a call back either. Well that is just not on at all.

There does seem to be a lot of us having appt moved about. I should have been going on the 4th Aug now they have put it back to end of Nov. I know they need holidays etc but you would think that allowences would be made for that.
Hope you get some answers tomorrow, one way or another.

Lv, Ix

jordan7j

Barbara, how can they keep cancelling on you??!! its disgraceful you get all prepared and then they say oh sorry you cant come now. If you dont get a call tomorrow then I would call them, and tell them how upset you are, and that you are in pain, swollen (whatever is appropriate) and you need to be seen. At my clinic the head receptionist can do an "overbooking" where they can add a patient to the list if its necessary. Ask about this too. I am so sorry they are being so uncaring to you, dont let them upset you or stress you too much or you will end up in a flare. Please let us know how you get on x Jay x x x

chris7

Barbara, sorry have only just seen this thread. :oops:

Have you managed to pin them down yet? :x

I hope you have given them a roasting and that they have got back to you by now, and have given you a definate date for the appointment this time? Let us know when you can. Been trying to do extra hours at work but will try and email soon.

take care
love and hugs (((( ))))
Chris xx

barbara12

Thankyou again everyone
Chris try and not to over do things at work.
Well I got a phone call yeaterday afternoon, could I make it today they had a cancellation, well I jump at it.
I went along with my list of questions and what ever.
How long was I in 18 minutes, he looked at my hands, ignored my feet, asked me about my family history, did not do xrays bot I had blood test, I cant tell you how I feel, slapped in the face comes to mind, I dont know where I go from here.
It takes an hour to get to the hospital, all for nothing :roll:
Barbara x

angel1

C`mere while I give you a big hug Barb. You must feel like crying. Take a little time to get over this, and then, back to the drawing board. You mustn`t give up. You have pain, and no proper explanation for it, and you need one.

By the way, is this Wrightington? They really are getting a pretty bad press lately. I notice Elaine is waiting to get an appointment there. Lets hope it goes better for her......Take great care......Much love.......Ange.