I feel like ......

lorica

Hi All,

Not been around much for a while. Just struggling with Arthur and everything else that comes with it.

Its now got to the point I can nolonger cope with it, im 38 and have been struggling badly. My condition has got much worse, and the MXT and Sulfa just dont seem to be working. I have Gouty Arthur, PsA and Osteo Arthur and bad depression. My hands are perminatly swollen, cannot straighten my fingers, both knees hurt, ankles are swollen, and Ive started with a very bad cold and a cough. I cannot bare the thought of it taking for ever to get over the cough due to MXT and Sulfa. So much for the MXT reducing the Psoriasis, I have a new patch. I just feel so helpless and useless. I saw my Rhummy in the summer and he asked me to make an appointment for dec but couldnt get appointment till end of Feb, rang Rhummy today to see if I can get in sooner and the earliest appointment they have is September!!! :sad: and to top it off im in hospital in a couple of weeks due to a possible skin cancer scare. I saw my GP in December due to a bad incident with depression. He told me i needed to refer myself for counselling, finally got through to the counselling service and they dont have any appointments till the end of Feb Begining of March. And to top it off I have to now start fighting to keep my DLA.

I just feel useless and a waste of space....

Mark

traluvie

Hi Mark,

Sorry to hear things are tough for you at the minute.
Is there any chance your GP can fast track your appointment for rheumy and counselling i know most GP are able to do that so may be worth asking.
Hope things improve soon for you..

dreamdaisy

Oh lorica, you are under the cosh at the moment, aren't you? What dose meth and sulph are you on? I remember the deramtologist telling me that it was the sulph that was keeping my P bit of PsA at bay, I am on three tablets twice a day and have been for a while now. I must admit I always stop the meth when I have an infection, purely to get rid of that faster and it isn't a case of the meth all disappearing at once so the arthritis usually behaves (doesn't touch my OA, admittedly, but then it's not supposed to!) I am astonished that they cannot see you before September, that is in no way good enough: perhaps you could collar someone top fetch the rheumatologist (when you are in in a couple of weeks) as you will already be there - it would be hardly difficult for him to pop in then, would it?

Finally, how about ringing the helpline? You sound so low, they are very understanding and they may have better ideas about what to do next than I can come up with. This disease is a pernicious beast in all its forms, it's not just the joints it attacks, is it? I don't think you are a waste of space, I think you are a very poorly person who needs some decent help from his doctors. I hope you can get it soon. DD

chrisieCL

Hi there... I have mutiple problems too... all sorts of arthritis / spondylosis / etc in spine / hip / shoulder / neck / hand now so bad they cannot operate.. it seems to take ages to get refured to pain management etc.. and I have been feeling really low.. so know how you must be feeling .. a lot of it is fustration at the slowness of practical help.. I am so lucky to have an amazing partner who is his self in a lot of pain and waiting for knee replacment.. I am now trying to keep on top of it all by talking to others in same posisition as me and joining the local arthritus groop... It really does help.. I just think I'm lucky I'm 57 and not as young as a lot of people get this early in life.. and those brave soldgers who have lost limbs fighting for us are so young... they help me make the best of things and to go on more possitive.. So try to keep yourself up and know we are all there if you reach out .. big hug to you.. take care and fight for the help you need ... till your dr listens.. good luck .. Chrisie x

frogmorton

Hi Mark

Good to see your name there, but sorry to hear life is so shift at the moment :sad: .

well it sounds to me like you have done everything you should have done yet the rain keeps pouring down :sad:

There is some light there at lesat in the for of a GP who seems to have 'heard' you and sorted out counselling for you. I have had depression myself in the past and found it really helpful - l hope it is for you too. l have also telephoned the helplines (number top of the page) and they were lovely - let me bawl my eyes out and say nothing for AGES!!!

As for the rhuematology delay can you try a call to the rheumy hurses see if they could fit you in sooner??? If they see you they may get you in sooner with the rheumy :???:

The thought of having a cold dragging on for weeks due to the MTX is bad enough in itself, but you have such a lot else going on too. Are you thinking about getting help with the DLA application???

Mark a hug for you from me - not a waste of space at all - just a decent bloke dealt a shift hand :sad: .

Love

Toni xx

lorica

Thanks everyone, (its 4am and im still awake as usual) going to write this and see if i can get in bed. I actually got a call from one of the Rhummy docs this aftrnoon, and she has said i need to go in this afternoon (friday) and they will have a look at my joints, she has also said stop taking MTX till cold clears up. Although its good to be seeing the doc she did say she would not be able to give me any injections because of my cold. So will see what she has to say.

DD Im on 20mg MXT (8 tabs on sundays) and 3g of Sulfa (6 tabs daily) I have to take folic acid daily except sundays as the MXT has caused my liver function go wonky.

No I dont have anyone to help with DLA as the adviser in the local community centre has had its finances dropped so he has had to go and the guy I spoke to at CAB was as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

Better try and get some sleep will let you all know what happens with Rhummy

Thanks for the support everyone

Mark

valval

hi mark i do hope that they give you some help this afternoon and glad they got you in val

julie47

Hi Mark

I am sorry that you are having a horrible time at the moment. I hope you did manage at least a few hours sleep in the end.

I hope your appointment today goes well and that the gp can help you.

Take care
Love Juliepf x