Hospital Appointment next Monday

chrissiewissie

Don't know why I feel nervous about it, but I do!
It is the first appointment with my Consultant Rheumatologist since I was diagnosed with OA, so maybe that's why!
Maybe its because my big toes and ankles look like the size of a house but who knows!
Just wanted to say how I'm feeling, because I know I'm being silly and there's nothing to be worried about!
Cx

barbara12

Hi Chrissie
I know what you mean about worrying over appointments..especially the new ones..make sure you make a list of any questions you need to ask..good Luck with it xx

villier

Chrissie only natural you will worry especially when it's someone new as Barbara said go armed with loads of questions write them down, I do that all the time, maybe someone could go along with you, being nervous you never remember half of what they say, will be thinking of you on Monday hope all goes well...............Marie xx

dreamdaisy

You're not being silly, we all get jittery before big appointments. It's unusual for someone with OA to see a rheumatologist (mine doesn't deal with that side of my arthritis, she leaves it to my GP who in turn ignores my PsA ) so I hope yours can find out what is going on with you. I wish you well and please let us know how you get on - I'll be thinking of you on Monday. DD

stickywicket

No, you're not being silly. You're just feeling that a lot might ride on this appointment which is probably true. As others have said, Take a list of things you want to ask and, if at all possible, take someone with you who can help you remember the answers to those questions :roll: I hope it goes well. Please let us know how you get on.

dachshund

Hello Chrissie
i will be there for you on monday. good luck
joan xx

Numptydumpty

Hi Chrissie,
you're not being silly at all. The best thing you can do is to go prepared. Make sure you ask all the questions you need answers to.

I'll be thinking of you,
Numpty

valval

gosh far from silly we all feel this way about rhummy visits so will be in your pocket well in thought on holiday in torquay so unless it there well will think of you val

tillytop

As the others have said Chrissie, you're not being silly at all. I consider myself a "seasoned appointment goer" and I still get my knickers in a knot before appointments :roll: For me, the key is to make sure I am as prepared as I can be - I write down the key points and take the list into the appointment with me so I don't forget anything. I also find that, if I make my list ahead of time, I feel more in control and less worried about the appointment. I don't know if you have someone you can take in to the appointment with you Chrissie? I used to "do" appointments on my own but, in the past few years, my husband has been coming in with me and it makes a huge difference - not least because he has a better memory than me and can remember what has been said, whereas half the time with me it just goes in one ear and out the other!

Really hope it is a positive appointment on Monday. I'll be thinking of you.

Tilly xxx

hileena111

Hi
You are not being silly
Its fairly normal to get nervous about appointments...especially the unknown

Love
Hileena

RitaW

Hi Chrissie,You're not being silly.I still get nervous before appointments with the Rheumy and I have been going there 16 years. My husband always comes in with me as I sometimes don't take everything in and forget to ask important questions.You will be fine I'm sure.x

bubbadog

Hi Chrissie, why don't you ask for pocket Duties? It always helps me knowing (fictionally) all these wonderful people on here are in my pocket supporting me! It makes me feel lifted. Otherwise good luck for Monday, and as the others have said write down all the questions you can think of you want answered on a piece of paper and remember to take it with you!. Will be thinking of you when I'm sat in the waiting room of the O.T's at my local hospital!!

kentishlady

Hi Chrissie. I don't think you are being silly at all. We all get nervous about appointments. Will be thinking of you and hoping all goes well. Beryl

chrissiewissie

*Overwhelmed*
Wow, thank you so much for the support everyone, really kind of you!
What are pocket duties?!
Now they've figured out it's OA I'm assuming the Rheumatologist will just discharge me, as I havem't got RA or anything else?!
Anyway, I'll let you know how I get on, I'm sure its nothing to be worried about.
Thanks again everyone, your kindness is appreciated!
Cx

LignumVitae

Sorry Chrissie,
I somehow managed to miss this, to add to the others, you are not silly. Appointments are daunting at the best of times, first ones particularly so!

Pocket duties are lovely, they are were we all crowd into your pocket so that you aren't alone when you go into the appointment. Instead, you have the power of us in your pocket, cheering you on, willing you strength and giving you support. We do sometimes like to bring a drink, a bit of food or the non-elastic band with us so you might have to tell us to be quiet but all the same, pocket duties are really useful when you might not be feeling really brave!
LV xx

chrissiewissie

Wow what a wonderful idea, that brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks guys xx

chrissiewissie

Hi All
Just a quick update following my Rheumatologist appointment this morning...
He agreed with the podiatrist that my feet are knackered and I do have OA.

He is also doing more bloods, took another xray of both feet this time, not my ankles (which were the first part of me to start hurting!)

He is arranging for me to go for an MRI due to the pain and stiffness in my back, he thinks I have some inflammation in my spine. I wonder what he means by that

I'm guessing lots of you have had an MRI before!! Is it as scary as people think? I might put a new entry on the forum to get an insider's view (no pun intended!!)
Cx

hileena111

Hi,
I'm glad you have got a definite diagnosis now.....You'll be able to cope much better than not knowing.

As for MRI's....they aren't frightening......They are not the most pleasant things in the world but OK.
They are noisy but you get ear defenders,must places play music through them, some let you take you own music. I havent come across those yet
You just lie still and have a button to press if you need to come out but I've never used that because the way I look at it is....that if i come out halfway through it will just have to be done another time.
They talk to you while you are in there......tell you whats happening and how much longer you are likely to be.
Sorry I dont know if thats any help at all.....just my experiences of them.
They are good in as much as they can teel a lot more than an x ray can
Love
Hileena

chrissiewissie

Thanks so much for everyone's comments, it does help knowing what to expect.
Luckily, I'm not claustrophobic so hopefully I should be ok.
After thinking about it for a bit I think I'm actually more worried about what it might show up than the actual MRI!!
Cx