not happy!!!!update

ailsarobby

hey guys hope you are all doing well and are having lots of pain free spells....Well been for my 1st appointment today with rheumy....4months of waiting and what a complete tosser.....spent an hour finding parking space...no luck friend had to wait in car...so i had to face rheumy alone..no probs ive faced worse..lucky for me only waited 5 mins before appoinment..aahhh so i thought...in and out in 10 mins....so much of keeping a diary of my pain and symtoms...so much for p***ing in a pot at 6 am this morning with aching painfull hands and stiff wrist ..not an easy task!!!!!!!!to be told i need more blood test...he does not suspect RA...he told me i have fibromyalgia and mild lupus but needs more bloods done ..I went in with 4 sheets of blood test that my GP has done over the last few months the rheumy did not even look at them...my urine sample was not even tested,,,he examined my knees,shoulders and took a quick look at my hands...gave me a leaflet on fybro and said he will contact my GP to prescibe me lycrica or something like that(pregablin) like i said very dissapointed.in and out in 10 mins what sort of consultation is that...he did not ask me about the pains or symtoms I had he asked if i smoked and i said yes after that very aloof and dissmissive...As soon as I got home i made a appoinment with my GP......On a good note im glad he said he did not suspect RA but confused me that he his still doing blood test for RA latex...ESR...CRP...SO on n so on..... :?

frogmorton

OMG Ailsarobby!!!

That was a mad meeting!!!!!!!!!!!

I should think you feel exhausted after all that.

Not sure why he made his mind up so quick - RA is more common is smokers I thought or ex-smokers. People are prejudiiced sometimes.

Well done for the apt with your Gp so quickly - I hoe you are ok and not too upset. Thes kinds of apts do upset us a lot. I wish you could have got your friend with you. Are you going back??

On the upside a lot of people are on lyrica and swear by it for pain.

Please take care

Love

Toni xx

tkachev

I'm guessing he wants confirmation before treating you properly so at the moment he is not interested. I usually have to give the pee in the pot (it is very difficult-I agree) to a nurse but often I or they forget.

He has probably seen your blood results on the computer already and has made the judgement that he hasnt enough to go on and docs dont like to guess.

As for R.A it wasnt conclusive at this point but may well show up later but until it does he won't be interested.

Sorry you feel so frustrated especially after the effort involves in getting to hospital and trying to park. i am sure when more results come through he will be more attentive!

Hope everything else is okay and you are managing to look after yourself.

Elizabeth

speedalong

Sorry the rheumy did not give you more time and give you a chance to talk about your symptoms etc ... all sounds very unsatisfactory. Do you have to go back once he has your results? Hope GP is more help.

Speedy

annie_mial

What a pig of an appointment, Ailsa. You could contact PALS and explain that you feel let down. The consultant should have explained to you why he needed more tests and what he was looking for (or not, as the case may be).

As far as I know fibro is treated by Rheumys in my area anyway. Certainly I have not been told to go back to my GP for treatment.

Annie

valval

my rhummy gave me prescription there and then but it was second visit as had to have bloods done on first had third visit but no inflimation to show him so wait 6 months then go back shall i get this lot to jump on my hands before go back lol. so he might be better when he gets your bloods back hope so val

dippydoodah

Sorry to hear your first appointment didn't go as well as you'd hoped for. Sometimes I don't think they realise how much we worry about what's going on and to them we're just another patient, they deal with us and then move to the next yet when we leave that room we're thinking about it constantly and worrying.

Im sure he must have a plan of action to get to the bottom of it all for you, it's just a shame they don't let us know what it is to stop us wondering!

I hope you manage to get some answers, have you been to see your GP yet?

Let us know how you get on x

barbara12

Hi ailsarobby
I really do feel for you, that is how my first rheumy appointment went, I was loaded up with questions, and all my info, I was in and out in 8 mins.
Dont you feel in shocked, when you realise how you have been treated.
At least you have got to see your GP, these blood results can take so long to show real results.
I do hope you get the right treatment very soon.
Good Luck
Love
Barbara xx

dreamdaisy

How frustrating, and on top of everything else too. I think dippy made a good point - we know we are individual, but to them we are just another in a long line of patients and sometimes they just forget to see the 'individual', we are reduced to just blood tests and notes on a screen/file. I have been known to get to hospital an hour before an appointment just to secure parking: there is nothing worse than trawling round a car park with a few moments to go before your supposed time. GPs don't necessarily know which blood tests rheumatologists want, in my experience. It does seem like delay after delay after delay on occasion: hang on in there, ailsarobby, come and talk to us whenever you can. DD

ironic

Hi Ailsa,

What a dissapointment for you. I would agree though that they like to do their own blood tests etc.
Maybe when your GP gets the letter from them there could be more information.
Hang on in there and if all else fails could you go for a 2nd opinion?

Lv, Ix

julie47

Hi alisa

sorry the appointment was a disappointment after all the trouble you went to , to help make his job a little easier.

My rheummy dr was really pleased that i had took so much info it helped her get a brief picture of whats been happening over the 22 years of having RA. (changed hospitals)
She still needs to do her own investigations which is quite right.

Perhaps you could mention it to your doc.

Hope you get some answers soon
love juliepf x

frogmorton

You ok today Ailsa??

LOve Toni xx

ailsarobby

hiya ev1......feeling a little better today...thanks for your replies...It was all abit confusing yesturday..I had preperd myself for at least being there an hour or two.....i think i just felt so confused,,,,i had so many questions and was not able to get chance to ask anything ......think i will stick with you lovely people for any queries and questions i need answering....your support has helped me get though these last few weeks....I know that i was not expecting to get everything sorted on my first visit and knew i woulod have to go through more test but thought i would at least get to know what the future held for me...dont even know if i have got follow up appoinment,,,he did not even ask if i was still working or not...I dont think I could return to my work of care doing 12 hr nights...or days my job is very stressfull and phsical....working with vunerable adults and terminal patients....I did think tho that once i had seen the rheumy i would have some answers thats what pissed me off that i am still in limbo with another illness (fibro) to add to my list....well i have now got my stuff it all head on and im going to enjoy a few glasses of wine tonight...bollocks to the hangover cant make me feel any worse than i usually do in the mornings...lol.....i will do my best to keep you updated......writing on ere helps me keep my sanity....and i love reading all your post....Ailsa xx

skezier

Hi Alisa,

That's not a very good appointment you had there. Sometimes thy really don't see us as human being s eh?!

I hope the pregabalin work for you, I been on years and its a good drug for me. Its used to help with fibro pain quite well as well. I really hope the rumo gets the letter written and sent very soon so you can get a bit if help there. Keep us informed please. Cris x