Rhematology Appointment

SheilaD

I have a rheumatolgy appointment next week (Thursday). In the meantime i have to go for scan on Tuesday before my appointment.
What I would like to know if I get a diagnosis for Arthur as you all lovingley call it which medication if any will I be started on and what if any side effects do they have.
I am feeling pretty down today and very stiff with pains in my hands, knees and ankles and feel extremely worn out. I am gearing myself up for work but failing miserably to pull myself up.

Sorry for the moan. Hope everyone else is having a good day.

Love n hugs to everyone.

SheilaD xx

barbara12

Hi Sheila
You moan away my love, it really will help to talk about things
Im not sure what type of arthur they suspect, I have OA in my hips and back plus a couple of others places, they started me on co codamols for the pain, then I was sent to a pain clinic, and they prescribed Amitryptalines to help me sleep at night...then I went on antiinflams and with these you have to take a stomach protector..the only side effects I get are forgetfulness..but I put that down to my age.
I do wish you well on Thursday and please let us know how it goes.

stickywicket

Ah one of those days, Sheila. Yes, we're all well-acquainted with them. I'm sorry. It must be hard if you've to work through it as opposed to someone like me who can just take things a bit more easily at home.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if your bad day is a result of stress at the prospect of the appointment. It may sound a bit odd but it's actually no bad thing to be at one's worst for appointments. Yes, it's harder to get there and back but one has no difficulty at all listing the problems.

I'm afraid we can't really guess at what your rheumatologist may or may not prescribe. Just try to relax, take it as it comes, ask any questions you may have and try to forget about the listed side-effects. They have to list them but most people don't get them.

Don't apologise for 'the moan'. That wasn't a proper, fully-paid-up moan! I can moan much better than that and frequently do. But, unlike many on here, I never, ever call it 'Arthur'. Arthur was my lovely grandad and equally lovely uncle: this is a very unlovely disease. Despite the many, valuable lessons it has taught me, it doesn't get a pet name from me.

Let's know how you get on.

SheilaD

Hi Barbara
Thank you for your reply, I am already taking co codamol 30/500 and am on Naproxen anti inflammatory also taking Omeprazole to protect my tummy. I think they are looking at RA. I also suffer from 'Senior Moments' due to my age Wish I could forget my pain and stiffness

SheilaD x

barbara12

SheilaD wrote:

Hi Barbara
Thank you for your reply, I am already taking co codamol 30/500 and am on Naproxen anti inflammatory also taking Omeprazole to protect my tummy. I think they are looking at RA. I also suffer from 'Senior Moments' due to my age Wish I could forget my pain and stiffness

SheilaD x

Hi Sheila...strange how we dont forget the pain.. :???: good luck with it all.x

SheilaD

Apologies Stickywicket did not mean to offend you by calling it 'Arthur' :oops: I agree it is not nice suffering all the time and I do suppose there are others worse than myself :sad: This is all new to me and this has all come on so quick. I used to be so active walking my 4 dogs, house spotless, meals ready for other family members when they come home. I am getting lots of support from my hubby and 17 year old son I am so lucky to have them.

Regards
SheilaD xx

[Deleted User]

Hi SheilaD,
I'm no doctor, but if you have RA, it looks to me that you might be put on disease modifying drugs that will try to manage it. You seem to be covered in the pain, inflammation and stomach protection areas already. With me it was sulfasalazine at first, later methotrexate. If these don't bring much effect there are quite a few others that your doctor might consider right for you later. If you interested you can read up about the side effects online.
Hope this helps.
Take care and hope you will feel better soon.

stickywicket

Hey, it takes much, much more than that to offend me, Sheila, so please don't apologise. Life's too short to be going around taking the huff at everything and everyone I'm perfectly happy for anyone to call this disease whatever they like - Arthur, Ebeneezer, Florence, it's all the same to me.

There are others worse off than all of us but that doesn't lessen our own pain when it's really biting. I consider myself one of the lucky ones but I still have my days....and weeks....and longer when I'm just a miserable old cow - and several people on here could agree if they weren't so kind.

Just feel free to be yourself. You are probably still, to some extent, in shock from the speed of things. It's good that you have a loving husband and son around but we don't always want to lay everything at the dorr of our nearest & dearest. You can always tell it like it is on here and never feel you need apologise for it.