What's going on - I feel like a fraud!

Julie10
Julie10 Member Posts: 19
edited 11. Aug 2011, 22:23 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello again everyone. I have been going through the posts bit by bit and have realised that arthritis pain can come and go but I still find myself confused and fed up with the way things are going for me while waiting for my appointment with the rheumatologist. For the past three days my hand pain has been much less. The joints hurt very badly if they are touched but I am able to bend my fingers better than at the weekend and the ache in my hands can only be classed as slight. I haven't woken up in pain either which has been a relief though my ankles have had the "just about to give way feeling". I have made a conscious effort to be as active as possible so maybe this has helped but I am worried that, if I have a good day like this on the day of my appointment, the consultant will think there's not much wrong. I know my xray shows something and my ESR levels were raised but I am pretty much normal in every way these past few days. Reading the posts makes me realise that I am nowhere near as badly affected as most of you lovely people on here - I am almost hoping for a bad day again to justify my seeking help :sad: Isn't pain a wierd thing ??? It dictates so much of our lives - but then you already know that! Thankyou for listening and sorry to post about this but I can't believe I have had some relief.

Julie x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Keep a diary of what is going on: any rheumatologist worth their salt knows that we have better and worse days but there is no harm in reminding them of such things. If you do get noticeable swelling take a picture of that too. anky has come up with the idea of a pain map, which is so simple yet so good. This disease is a rollercoaster ride of the worst sort. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi,

    We all have bad days and good days and worry people will not think nothing wrong with us but the bottom line is there is! I hope you have more good than bad days, as DD said keep a diary it's a great idea and useful when you see the consultant. If you would like a copy of the pain map I can send it to you it really dose make a difference when you go. If you want it send me your email address (privately don't share in public) and will mail it to you.

    Each one of us hurts and has aches and pains and everyones is as important to them as anyone else's so don't feel bad. Xx
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • Julie10
    Julie10 Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thank you both! I have been writing down my symptoms at the end of each day and yes Ankyspond I would like to use your body map please - I will get in touch. I hope you are both having "good" days.

    Julie x
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    oh julie don't feel like a fraud , just relish in your good days :grin:

    I hope everything goes well with your appointment.

    Take care
    Juliepf x
  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Julie have just sent you the pain map, hope it helps. xx
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • sennacharib
    sennacharib Member Posts: 76
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, I hope no one minds me asking, but pls could someone send me a copy of the pain map too? I hope you dont mind?!

    Kind regards and thanks xx
  • Julie10
    Julie10 Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thank you Julie. Yes, it's obvious that is the way of things with arthritis - I will have to get used to that if they diagnose me. I am just so impatient to find out even though I know it could be inconclusive at first. Ankyspond, thank you too!

    Julie x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi sennacharib, I did my own pain map. I drew a stick person then did the outline around it to make it look a little like a jelly baby! I fitted four onto one page of A4, and use three colours, based on traffic lights, to indicate what's what. Tribute must be paid, however, to anky, who has come up with such a brilliant, yet simple, idea. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • sennacharib
    sennacharib Member Posts: 76
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I will do something like that then dreamdaisy, sounds ideal, Thankyou for replying and thankyou for anky for coming up with such a genius idea!!

    This site is sooo helpful!

    Thanks hunnie! xx :)
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    it sods law i never have swelling when have appointment with rhummy but they take everything into account so do not worry but pictures and a pain diary will help val
    val
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I've got ankys pain map as well but to go back to being a fraud....dont think like that....just be thankful for the good days and be good to yourself on the not so good days.
    I know when I go to see the ortho its usually in the afternoon and by then I'm not as bad but if they could see me in the morning its a different matter.....I sometimes wish my appointments were in the morning :lol:

    Love
    Hileena
  • weejean
    weejean Member Posts: 346
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Julie

    You are most definately not a fraud, but I do understand how you feel. For some unknown reason my appointments always fell on my "good days". Keeping a diary and using the pain map from Anky will help so much. Please enjoy every minute of the good days and I hope you have loads of them.
    Big Hugs
    Jean xx
  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    sennacharib wrote:
    Hello, I hope no one minds me asking, but pls could someone send me a copy of the pain map too? I hope you dont mind?!

    Kind regards and thanks xx


    If you PM me with an email address that cam accept attachments I will send it in morning. Xx
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Hi sennacharib, I did my own pain map. I drew a stick person then did the outline around it to make it look a little like a jelly baby! I fitted four onto one page of A4, and use three colours, based on traffic lights, to indicate what's what. Tribute must be paid, however, to anky, who has come up with such a brilliant, yet simple, idea. DD

    Thanks DD but remember I do teach ICT! Anyone welcome to have it just need to PM me with an email address that accepts attachments and will send to you. X
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    sennacharib wrote:
    Hello, I hope no one minds me asking, but pls could someone send me a copy of the pain map too? I hope you dont mind?!

    Kind regards and thanks xx

    Hi Sennacharib,

    Nice to 'met' you. The pain map is such a good idea for sure. You know this lot are up for answering any questions and well they are here for you as well. Cris x

    Hi Julie,

    Your not a fraud at all. Its intermittent at times but it doesn't mean you are a fraud at all.

    Hey nice to 'meet' you as well.

    Keep the pain diary and if you can take the pics and hang in there. Sometimes the hardest thing is while you getting sorted!

    Flower never apologize for posting and well long ago i had a real life and one thing they said (it was in the ambulance service) is every injury is an emergency to the person having it..... Its the same here....

    Arthritis has so many levels and does so many ';odd' thing don;t please wish a bad day for justification.... You have every right to post and well type away flower. Cris x

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