Update on first rheumy appointment

annalou

Morning All,
I just wanted to update you on my first rheumy appointment yesterday. I was surprisingly nervous and went armed with my list and diary but needn't have worried as she was lovely and asked me all the questions which more or less lead to my long arm size list lol! She examined me and suspects that I have a form of inflammation arthritis and it could well be PA as my mother suffers badly with psoriaris. Interestingly she too suffers with aches and pains but has been fobbed off by her various GPs over many years so I'm going to push her to be more insistent to get to see a rheumatologist. She said that the fact i have pain in the finger tip joints rules out RA.

I had different blood tests done and one to check my thyroid and she is arranging for me to have ultrasound scans on my hands and feet, whatever that is?

She has given me an open appointment to ring and see her when i have more swelling as she wants to see it. i'm struggling with this as its so up and down, particularly mornings and evenings and it's not easy to go on the spur of the moment with two young children and work. Do you thing photographs would be OK?

She said she would see me anyway when she had blood test and scan results through? She has given me a prescription for Naproxen and lansoprazole as i said ibuprofen and paracetemol doesn't touch the pain. She said that she needs to make a diagnosis before starting medication but not to worry that it is treatable whatever it is.

Well there's my update, I just hope things start to move now, I do feel it was a positive appointment on the whole.

Also, my sister has been to the docs with pains in her hands and he has put early on set arthritis and sent her for blood tests so it looks like it may be a family thing??

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far, I can't half waffle on x

XX Annalou

valval

hi my mum suffers psoriaris and i also feel this is behind my arther glad i do not suffer with the skin bit ut would rather have skipped this as well.
your rhummy sounds spot on lets hope does not take long to get you sorted val

Hibee

Hi

Good to meet you. I am pleased your appointment went well and you are now more clear about what is going on. I had my first appointment last week and was diagnosed with probable ankylosing spondylitis which is also a form of inflammation arthritis and was put on Naproxen. I hope you get your diagnosis soon and the meds help you feel better.

Hibee

annalou

Hi Val, yes I too am glad I don't suffer with the psoriasis itself which is very unpleasant too, on top of the other!!!

Hi Hibee, so we're both relatively new to this, how are you finding the Naproxen? I had an upset stomach this morning, just wondering if it's coincidence or not? Also, I wasn't told whether to take regularly every day or as and when pain at its worst. Were you advised about this?

Thanks for your replies, xx Annalou

traluvie

Hi Annalou,

It sounds like your rheumy is doing all relevant tests as there are so many different types of arthritis and i guess they like to be kind of sure before they start adequate treament..
It can be a struggle, especially in the early days, but it sounds like you are on the right track and hopefully soon things will improve, in the meantime we are here to support you as best as we can..x

Hibee

Hi Annalou

I am taking 500mg one in the morning and one in the evening you need to take them after you have just eaten otherwise it can affect your stomach. I have not found it has helped with the pain. My feet seam to be causing me the biggest problem at the moment. I think you need to take the Naproxen regularly.

Hibee

valval

take them regulary and get stomache protector from gp if needed i only took when bad for months till got to stage every time stopped taking was so stiff could not move they do take time to kick in good luck val