Rheumy Appointment last Friday

emsjane

Hi All,

Just to let you all know, my Rheumy appointment went well on Friday

She had a student with her, which i always think is a good thing, as they make a lot of effort with you!!

I managed to tell her all of my problems im having and she gave me a physical examination to see how my movements are now.

I told her how bad my left hip is now and she did say, it may be time to talk to a surgeon. Which im pleased about, although also terrified, as the surgeon will decide if the time is right for a hip replacement. I had MRI's on both hips a couple of years ago and she is requesting them from my doc's so she can have a look and see what they were like then.

She said i do have an erosive inflammatory OA, in my hands and that she thinks i also have some form of auto-immune arthritis going on in other parts of my body, so she wants me to stay on the MTX for now and then maybe go onto Humira if things continue to get worse for me.

I told her i didnt think the MTX was working and steroids dont seem to work for me either! She did say im a bit of a conundrum!!! lol

Also, as her clinic is so busy, she can only see me every 6 months, so she's made me an appointment to see the Rheumatology nurse in 3 months time to see how im getting on as im much, much worse in the winter!!

Im also having an MRI scan on my back as ive been getting lower back pain on the same side as my bad hip, so she wants to check that out too.

So, all in all, i feel a lot happier that she is aware of all my problems and i will get the appropriate help from now onwards!

dreamdaisy

That sounds like a good appointment, that's how things work with my rheumatologist, I see her once every six months and a rheumatology nurse in between. The meth may be doing more than you realise - how often do you have your bloods done and how are the inflammatory markers? It kept my markers in the 50s and 60s which was OK, but once I began the humira they dropped to single figures within two weeks and there they've stayed. Stuff still hurts tho, that's the downside.

Your MRIs are well-old now ( DD is street ) so don't be surprised if more are requested for a current pic of how things are. Things won't be happening overnight (they never do) but at least things are beginning to move in the right direction. DD

vwkamper

Hi,

I'm really pleased for you that your appointment went well,
It makes leaving the office in a positive mood.
I have a feeling your lower back test may reveal more than you know.

All my hips and buttocks right down to my toes is all due to a really naff back.
But hopefully you get good results

lexy.

emsjane

DD - that's what's confusing, my inflammatory markers have never been high!! 10 is the highest and that was unusual!!

I'm a weird one, lol.

That's why I don't think the MTX is working for me.. But like you said, doc said if I come off them and suddenly flair up, then I'd have that ground to make up again!! So she said I'd have to stay on them when I go on new drug and then I suppose if new drug works, then I could come off MTX and hydroxychloroquine!!

I don't hold out a lot of hope! Nothing has worked so far!!

My great grandma had Paget's Disease, I have been tested for it before, but I'm going to ask to be tested again, just to make sure I don't have that!!

barbara12

Hi emsjane
I am so glad you had a good appointment, they do seem to few and far between, you must feel so much easier.
And being able to see the nurse will help, at least you are not left to it for 6 months.
Wishing you well with everything x

stickywicket

I'm glad you had a good appt. I hope the MRI goes well and they manage to find the right med for you.

julie47

Hi Emesjane

Sounds like you had a good appointment,and it's good that the rhumy dr is making sure that you are seeing the nurse in 3 months as she is not available. I hope your Mri scan goes well and that soon you will be on meds that help.

Love Juliepf x