2nd Consultant Visit

Jules1

Hi everybody

Have my 2nd appointment tomorrow with consultant - can anybody please give any advise as to what might happen and if I need to ask any questions.

I have been for ultra sound on hands, wrists, feet and ankles and ultra soundist said after a minuite that I had RA from the scan but said he had to continue, he mentionded that in my ankles and feet it was very angry and aggresive - not surprised as I have trouble walking!

Luckily at the moment I do not feel well, constantly feeling sick and tired, hands are painful as well as wrists, feet and ankles and knees luckily no flare ups since Jan!!!!!!!!! so at least when I do see him tomorrow I do not feel as though I am imagining it all.

Luv
Jules x

valval

not sure i got much to add just wanted to wish you wel.l sure he will have some meds to help he taking it seriouse and that great val

skezier

Hi Jules,

Good luck tomorrow and hopefully he will be able to tell you whats going on from the results as well as start you on some treatment.

I am not so good at asking questions but hopefully the others will know what kind of things to ask. i just ask whats bothering me and it doesn't seem to matter how trivial it seems my rumo tries to answer.

Sorry your not feeling too good but better he see's you while your not so good i guess. what time you off and we do a decent pocket duty if needed. Be hoping for you flower. Cris x

traluvie

Hi Jules..

Just wanted to wish you luck for tom..
Not sure about what questions you should ask as i am still new to this myself..
Hopefully though your doctor should have a clearer picture of things and be able to start you on appropiate treatment..
Take care

Tracy
xxxxx

julie47

Hi Jules

I am not that good at asking questions on the day either. I normally come out of the consultation and wham a load of questions come and its too late.
I just want to wish you look and hope everything is ok.
Hope you feel better too.
Take care
Juliepf x

dreamdaisy

I guess the consultant will (hopefully) give you a definitive diagnosis based on the results of the scan. The ultra-sound operator is not a rheumatologist, and I think was wrong to say anything to you about what might or might not be going on. Assuming the consultant confirms that you have some form of arthritis (of the auto-immune variety) I guess the next discussion will be about what meds to try: the usual ones to kick off with are sulphasalazine, methotrexate and hydroxy (one, two or all three - who knows!) or, if you have already tried those, which ones to go for next.

Your arthritis is obviously active at the moment, so this is a good time to see the consultant. I try to keep a list of questions handy at all times, so that I can go in prepared when I see mine - mind you, we don't have a lot to talk about now! I wish you well and let us know how you get on please. DD

ironic

Hi Jules,
Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. As everyone has said write your list down and if you can a diary of your symptoms. I have found that the Rheumy has been very grateful to have these as it helps them with the diagnoses etc. They don’t mind if you take someone in with you as sometimes two heads are better than one when trying to remember everything.
Let us know how you get on,
Lv, Ix

barbara12

Hi Jules
Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I just want to wish you well with your appointment, and please let us know how you get on.
Barbara x

Jules1

Hi everyone

Many thanks for the replies and advice very much appreciated, hopefully tomorrow will get some answers and the right medication, appointment is 3.45 tomorrow so will let you know the outcome - roll on tomorrow!!

Luv
Jules xx

tjt6768

Hi Jules, will be with you on pocket duty if you like as a bit of moral support, as long as I can bring the cats that is :shock: Might get them to check Cleo over while we are there

chris7

Hi Jules

Sorry I am seeing this a bit late but just wanted to call and and hope all goes well for you tomorrow. Try not to feel hurried and take the time to ask your questions. Hope you do find it a positive visit and get the support you need.
take care
Chris

tillytop

Hello Jules

Just wanted to say hope appt goes well for you today. Will be thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx

Jules1

Hi everybody

Sorry didn't get back to you all yesterday - well consultation seemed to go well, the consultant did a test thing on my joints in both hands and wrists, he gently sqeezed the finger joints and told me to yell if painful! (it was one of them days when they were not!!), however he made marks on a diagram of joints to my hand and wrists in blue (more than I would of liked!!) seemingly they use this compared to blood tests, mine were done 16th December but have to go back tomorrow for blood tests and chest xray - these 2 departments had finished for the day!!!
He told me I have the start of joint damage and to understand that RA is not like other forms of arthritus and that he cannot cure me but to try and slow the process down.
I have to have blood tests taken every 2 weeks due to the medication that he has prescribed and have to see him every 2 weeks as well evenntually I will be seen once a month.
He wanted to give me a steriod injection in my backside (ouch) but suppose at that point in time luckily for me the nurse had finished for the day - this was to help my feet and ankles and to make it more comfortable for me in getting around, they asked how I had been and I had to mark on a diagram how the pain had been over the past few days, I explained I had been feeling very nauseas past few days and had done hardly anthing so pain was not as bad but I did an overall of the pain and it got quite a high on his paper he then asked to mark how bad the pain was in the morning and again I marked it quite high.
He was very pleased and happy that I was going for a flu jab and surprised not had one sooner told him I had not been well enough and doctors wouldnt do it - he also adivised that I also have a pneumonia injection as well.
He has prescribed tablets Methotrexate (drug known as a DMARD - disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug which have the effect of dampening down the underlying disease process rather than simply treating the symtoms) and Sulfasalazine (reduce the symtomsand slow the progress of RA may reduce the inflammation in joints and decease pain, swelling and stiffness) - please note I copied the info for the drugs not that clever!!!!
He also prescribed frolic acid and another tablet which neither myself or hubby can remember but we think some form of vitamin
He explained the side effects of these 2 drugs and said they are very powerful and have to watch out for side effects he gave me a telephone number for the RA nurse which you can phone to discuss any worries etc and a booklet for results of blood tests that I need to take with me everytime I have tests done, he also mentioned that there is a chance these tablets might not work but there are others and they do not work straight away as normal tablets but can take upto 12 weeks before I notice a difference.
He has not given me any tablets as of yet he wanted to wait for new blood results and then would be writing to my doctors who then would prescribe.
Phew think that was it - but hubby and me keep remember the odd thing but think that covers all.

Thank you all to the support and advice and hope info is of help to anybody like me just starting out.

Luv
Jules xx

tillytop

Well done with your consutant visit! Sounds as if you have a good consultant there, who is going to keep a careful eye on you which is encouraging.

Re the steroid injection - I would recommend it. They don't work for everyone and, even when they do, they don't always last long, but for me, even short-term relief was worth it.

Re the meds - there are lots of us on here who are/have taken both meth and sulpha so you will be in good company. There have also been some recent posts from people starting meth, which you will find if you scroll back through LWA forum.

The blood tests can be a real nuisance but, as you know, it is really important to have them done and to keep a note of the results so you can see what's happening. After a while, if all is well, the frequency of the blood tests will probably decrease to monthly - or possibly even more.

Good Luck! I really hope you find the meds help you - and try not to put discouraged by any initial side effects. Sometimes it takes time for your body to get used to the new drugs.

Love Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

He is obviously keeping an eye on you so that is a good thing. The meds are nothing new or spectacular (not in my experience anyway!) I have been on both for years - hopefully as you are starting them near the beginning of your problem they will have a better effect for you. Be meticulous about the bloods, they are very important in the early stages, and watch out for coughs and colds etc - the meth reduces your immune system thus leaving you vulnerable to infections etc. The folic acid is meant to help reduce any side effects you may experience (I am on it, but have never had side effects from the meth) and I think you should be gradually building the sulph dose, yes? I wish you well and I hope these things begin to have a positive effect on the RA. DD

julie47

Just catching up.......Great that the appointment went well and that he gave you an injection to help you on your way.
Hope the new meds help you and make it a bit easier.
Take care
Juliepf x

skezier

Hi Jules,

Sounds like he was thorough and that's a good thing. Glad he has gone for a decent treatment for you as well.

I took sulfa and have now got mtx as I reacted to the sulfa and the only side effect I got was sickness with a bit of hair thinning. The folic acid is meant to help countas that but cus of the crohns I don't absorb it as well as i could.

Really hope it works for you and keep us posted. Cris x