Latest from Rheumatology.....and its not good....

lorica
lorica Member Posts: 187
edited 7. Mar 2011, 11:20 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone,

Ive just been to my first Rheumatology appointment for over 8 months!! And the news wasnt good :cry::cry::cry: , they have increased my MXT to 17.5mg and its going to go up to 20mg, and if that doesnt work they plan to add Sulphasalazine to the mix, and if that doesnt work then its a new knee... so right now Im feeling a little distressed!!! they have also told me they are going to take me in and inject something called RED into my knee :shock: as well as other drugs and then splint my leg up, they are also looking at possibly injecting my wrists :shock:

The good news was the Rheummy totally supports my DLA and ESA applications and is going to write me a letter

I have also finally got my ESA medical report! and its an amazing work of fiction, in ths fictional world my knees are in perfect health and I can walk with out help, I can sit and squat easly, I was also marked down because I looked well groomed! and i didnt look tired..... what an utter joke :evil

Mark

Comments

  • petals
    petals Member Posts: 217
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    OMG I can't believe they could mark you down for looking 'well groomed' I suppose they think everyone who has a disability should be walking around in smelly rags looking like a dogs dinner.
    They should be ashamed for making such remarks, oooh it make me so mad.

    I hope you succeed an get your DLA and ESA regardless of this moron. He should walk in your shoes for a day, I bet he would soon change his attitude.

    Hope you feel better soon Mark,

    Take care Petals
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am glad your Rheummy will support your ESA and DLA claims. I am sorry the ESA medical was such a farce. Do they think we are making it all up. They must do mustn't they!
    Okay so you are needing more medication as what you are presently taking is insufficient. I hope the increase helps.


    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am on both meth (injected, it's a smaller dose as the liquid is stronger than the tablets) and sulpha, have been for years, plus an anti TNF and steroids. It's not fun, is it lorica? Let's hope the meth increase and the addition of sulph begins to help you more. I know that dorcas recently had a red injection - it has not done much, to say the least, but we all know that we are all different in how we react to these things. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,837
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Mark

    I should say that it was at least constructive.

    There is a plan and i like plans :smile: He is supporting your applications for benefits and you should get the fiction rewritten in the end!!

    I hope the rise in MTX does the job - it may be what you need and sulfa as a plan b too....

    The red jab can help it is if I remember from what Iris said a mixture of steroid and antibiotic and it should help. We are all different - let us know when it is and we will send positive vibes to you.

    Love

    toni xx
  • lorica
    lorica Member Posts: 187
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone for the support, I will let you all know when Im going in for the red

    thanks

    Mark
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi lorica, I have just had a word with dorcas and she wanted you to know that the RED injection has had an effect in that her knee is now more comfortable. It has taken some time to show an improvement - just over three weeks I think, but her knee is less swollen, less painful and certainly 'easier' in itself. I know that we are all different in how we react to these things and I hope it helps you as well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Mark
    The report is disgusting I dont know what to say, how on earth can they lie like this, I am so glad your rheumy is backing your claim.
    I do hope that the injections help, I know the red one is a new treatment, so fingers crossed for you.
    Good Luck with everything
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • lorica
    lorica Member Posts: 187
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks DD, tell Dorcas thanks for the information. Im feeling a little up tight about it as I hate having injections in my knees.... but i suppose if they think it will help then I had better have it done.

    Regards

    Mark :smile:

    PS DD will you say hi to Dorcas for me as well, and pass her my regards not seen her online for a while.

    And thanks Barbara for your comments and support
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Having my knees drained etc is the one thing that will make DD stagger, totter and wobble to the hills as fast as her rheumaticky legs will take her. The best one I ever had was done in the oncocolgy unit (they were injecting summat radioactive and I had to stay in for the night). For some reason they semi-sedated me with something so wonderful and gorgeous I am amazed the NHS don't sell it and rake in millions so all their middle manageers could drive Lexuses. I did not care what they did, or for how long, everyone could have a go at my knee if they wanted, it was almost fun.

    I am with you on this, lorica: it is a foul procedure but if it is going to help then that is the focus. I will pass on your good wishes etc to dorcas. I can assure you she is not absent through choice. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    MArk

    Youve got the support of your rheummy person so thats in your faviour and you can appeal the buggers till they see sense....
    Wanted to say that having been through an ESA (and millions of others too) that unfortunately its expected if youve been through this process before.....They always comment on your appearance and that amazed me but now it just seems to be like a standard paragraph they put in and dont ammend it....I mean who in their right mind would go to an appointment dirty and bedraggled unless they had a dam good reason???Mine also said I could get on and off examining couch with no assistance, that i rose in and out of a chair with ease.....

    Appeal Mark, you wont feel like it now but when the spirit kicks in go for it!!!!

    Good Luck

    Elainex
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi mark
    Just dropping in to say I hope the new mix of meds help ease your knee.
    Will keep my fingers crossed
    Take care
    Juliepf x