Reactive Arthritis

Philwatford

Hi
I am new on here so if I have posted this in wrong place sorry.
I have been out of hospital for a week and am very frutratred 3 weeks ago I could go to work today going to the loo is a struggle.
I was told I would get Physio from hospital but no letter as yet.Should I ask my GP
I feel like I have been dumped with my pain killers and left to get on with it.
Has any one any tips people to nag to speed things up I want to go back to work as soon as I can.
With my attack the pain is in my ankles, knees, wrists,hands shoulders.
I had a steroid injection in one of my knees.
I am 47 am a retail manager and spend alot of time on my feet at work.
Are there any Phisio`s who specialise in Arthritis care and website you can look them up on or recomendations in the Watford (Herts) area.
Thanks
Phil

traluvie

Hi Phil...

Welcome to the site..
Sorry to hear you are feeling let down at the moment..
You could maybe ring your GP and see if they can speed things up, also if your under occy health they can also try and speed things up..
I have physio today, and it will be a new experience for me, i have it in ankles, elbows, wrists and feet, so i hoping physio may do me some good, will let you know how i get on later...
If you are suffering and are not happy then i would def go and see your GP again.. not fair that you have to suffer..
We all know how you feel on here so feel free to come and chat anytime..

Philwatford

Thanks for your reply.
I would be very interested in how you got on with the Physio.
How long have you waited to get to see a Physio. Did you arrange through GP or Hospital?
How long have you had RA
How many visits do you think you will make.
Thanks.
Phil

traluvie

Hi Phil,

My GP arranged mine.. i was unable to have it at first as i did not have a diagnosis..
I was only diagnosed last week of wear and tear arthritis in knees and thumb tips and inflammatory arthritis in ankles, feet, elbows and wrists.. my symptoms started sep.. so i am still all new to this really..
Not sure how many visits i will make.. will def message you later to let you know how i get on..

dreamdaisy

Morning Phil - spot on with the post, well done - a new forum can be tricky to negotiate. What were you in hospital for and did it trigger this reactive arthritis? I don't have your form of this pestilence but I can empathise with the rest of it. When did you have the steroid injection and has it helped at all? (I am a veteran of those and found each useless but for some they really work well.) I think you need to chat to your GP and also ring the physio department at the hospital: I cannot remember how long my first appointment too to come through. As for the being left to get on with it, yup, that's pretty much it. There are many forms of arthritis and, fundamentally, not a lot to be done about most of them. For those with rheumatoid and similar - if diagnosed early enough - the drugs can make a difference but for OAers and reactives like you, there is honestly not a great deal out there, I think it does come down to pain dullers, anti-inflammatories (perhaps) and exercise. I wish you well. DD

julie47

Morning Phil and welcome to this forum
Just popped in to say I would make an appointment to go see your gp. This way he can see how you are.
I hope you get sorted soon
Take care
juliepf x

Philwatford

thanks

Airwave!

Yep, get on the phone, all hospital letters get sent to the wrong department, misdirected, reinterpreted, held for at least a month and sent to the wrong doctor, held by the surgery until it can be typed up onto the 'puter' and there it stays until you call and ask a question and a receptionist thinks a doctor might just want to see it.

Me, cynical?

8) It's a grin, honest!

elnafinn

Hi Phil

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that already you have hit problems regarding physio. I hope you are feeling strong mentally to start chasing this. I would call the hospital and see where and when this letter was sent out if any and if not, why not. Call your gp to see if he has received a letter and where you are on the list for physio. You usually get allocated 6 sessions, if you are lucky when your name comes up to the top of the list. If you are willing to pay you will get physio help much quicker but still you are usually referred by your gp. We should not have to pay out but it depends how you are situated as to whether you think this is the path you may wish to follow.

I wish you well,

Elna x

tkachev

Hi Phil I live near Watford. I don't know any physio help there as usually all this is provided via the GP or rheumatology team.Physio can take a while to sort out and you might have to wait 6 weeks to be referred. I had a great physio lady at Hillingdon hospital(also based at Mount Vernon hospital).
At the moment you will feel left to get on with it. In the early days they need to give you time to try different medications. You should be monitored through regular blood tests to see if the inflammation is subsiding. It could take a while.
I can remember feeling totally forgotten but not having the strength to complain. Go back to the GP and let him know your symptoms are worsening and he should try more medication. Struggling with work and pain is awful so try not to rush back.
you will start to feel better soon as you get better medication aimed at arthritis. Is it R.A you have? However it might take a while for them to get the right meds as arthritis can flare and worsen even during treatment.

Best wishes
Elizabeth

Philwatford

Thanks for your reply.
I know it is early days but I will get on to the GP.At least on here people seem to be able to point you in the right direction.
How long should I wait to ask for Physio?
Could you guys and gals give me a list of questions to ask Gp as my mind usually goes blank when I sit down with them.
Thanks
Phil

dreamdaisy

Cor, that's a tough question. We are not you, we don't necessarily have what you have or feel what you feel. I suppose you could ask him about pain management and whether anti-inflammatories would help, but I don't know much about reactive arthritis (and he probably won't either). Check the AC publications list, and perhaps ring the helpline, they may well have info for you about your condition. The number is a free call from BT and is on the top of every page. The biggest difficulty arthritics face is the un-predictability of the disease, you cannot say from one day to the next how you are going to be feeling. DD

Philwatford

Thanks
The impression i have got is that not alot is known about it.
So all contributions warmly wellcomed.
Phil

elnafinn

You could call the helpline 0808 800 4050) and they can send you information they have on ReActive arthritis. While you are on the phone you can chat with them about your anxieties too and what is the best course of action for you to take. I would think that if you are not already with a rheumatologist, your gp should refer you to one along with a referral to a physiotherapist as it is important to keep the muscles active. You will probably be given exercises to do daily.To my way of thinking your best bet is to see your gp asap to get the ball rolling.

barbara12

Hi Phil
And a very warm welcome to the forum, you have had lots of good advice from the others, the one thing I have learned is that you have to make sure you are heard by all, or you can get forgotten.
Good luck with everything, and like Elna say you ring the helpline.
Barbara x

tkachev

It is 3 weeks since you were in hospital. Was that due to reactive arthritis? I would go back to GP as he will be aware of your recent hospitalisation and let him know your pain has got much worse. He might prescribe you something stronger for your pain. Then ask how long you need to wait for physio appointment. I am sure I waited 6 weeks for an appointment. But a GP might hurry it along on your behalf.
Elizabeth

Philwatford

On advise of our Nursing sister at work I phoned my local hospital`s Pysio Dept who told me" a letter was in the post" on Friday but they had just had a cancellation for this Thursday and I now have an appointment for this Thursday.
The GP is visiting tomorrow so a very constructive day.
Thanks
Everyone

traluvie

Thats great news Phil..
Thursday is so close too, so thats a great positive for you..
I said i would message you about my physio today..
My Physio said there was not much she could do to help me as the RA was affecting many joints... she felt i would be better off with hydrotherapy so is referring me
She was really nice and helpful, she showed me some stretches i can do for my ankles and wrists, so hopefully that will help..
Every person is different, so for you physio may be the right thing for you.. whatever the outcome i am sure the physio will assess the situation accordingly and help and support you where necessary..
Good luck for thursday..
Let us know how you get on...

Philwatford

Thanks will keep you posted

tkachev

Good news Phil. I am glad to read things are moving forward.


Elizabeth

barbara12

Thanks for the update Phil
That is good news...I really hope the physio goes well for you, and you make sure you get it over to your GP what pain you are in.
Good Luck with everything.
Barbara x