Im worrying about this all now

Loula

Appointment with the rheumatologist is over a week away, my backs stiff, feet are sore, burning on the bottom, fingers ache, random joints on my fingers have a piercing throbbing pain at times. Im trying not to focus on this appointment, its hard not to, its definately affecting my christmas spirit only good thing is I've three days to work this week then off till the 27th.

Feeling a tad blah about it all.

stickywicket

What exactly are you worrying about, Loula? I always think it's a good thing if an appointment coincides with things being rough so I can't quite follow you.

Loula

Just everything, the fact im in pain and having to go to this appointment in itself, just making me feel [word deleted] :oops:

Wee pity party going on here :?

word deleted by Mod YEH

Loula

Actually i think im just in a rubbish mood, my mouth hurts, burnt it yesterday eating dinner, and my husband is sitting next to me crunching on crisps and its doing my head in :x

stickywicket

Constant pain does affect mood and no surprise there. You're also, I guess, worried about the implications of this first (if I remember correctly) appointment. It's no fun having arthritis of any kind but, if you have it, and especially if you have an auto-immune one, it's better diagnosed and treated. I hope it goes well.

(Quite how you got away with using the word 'c**p' is a mystery to me. I wasn't even allowed to write 'sc**pbook' I was told I was a spammer )

Slosh

I have OA plus a neuro problem and while waiting for appointments can be an anxious time in a way that's often the worst thing as hopefully once you get to the appointment you will get some answers and a treatment plan.
I also think it's always better for the specialist to see you at your worst. Hope it goes well for you.

Loula

Whoops sorry about that word, never thought!

I think thats it, just anxious a d uncertainty, feeling much better today x

dreamdaisy

I'm eighteen years in now and still struggle with it all from time-to-time. Now is one of those times, I am worn out by the constant pain, the tiredness, the lack of anything resembling energy, the constant over-effort that is required to accomplish anything at all no matter how small. :roll:

Your current feelings sound to be absolutely par for the course to me, I remember my first rheumatology appointment and the hopes I pinned on it (which weren't met). Are you keeping a short diary to show the rheumatologist? The things to record are your levels of pain and tiredness, what hurts and when, what helps matters or aggravates them - these details will give the rheumatologist a better overall picture of you and how you are being affected. Be prepared for further blood tests and maybe an Xray or two - and also be prepared for no definitive answer: auto-immune arthritis is a many and varied beast and can take time to 'label' but there standard meds for all of them.

Spouses causing annoyance just by breathing are not unknown on here either: we are tired and hurty so our patience can be limited. DD

Loula

Yes ive been keeping a diary, theres absolutely no regular pattern tho!

dreamdaisy

It's good that you have because it's already shown you one important thing: arthritis is neither predictable or regular, it's a complicated business and everyone's version of it is unique to them. Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how you get on. DD

barbara12

Hello Loula
So sorry you are suffering, I do think we focus more on the pain when waiting for results, its rotten when you have to try and work through it, so its good you have the time off, if you could try to disract yourself, not easy when in pain but it will help, I do wish you well with the results and hope you get some answeres, please let us know how you get on.

dreamdaisy

Hello again, we're a few days on now so how are things going? DD

Loula

Hi, feeling better now about it, i think reading stuff on the internet doesnt help, im possibly focusing on the worse case scenario :? But if the appointment gets me proper pain relief then its all good.

dreamdaisy

The one thing I have never done is read about my conditions on the interweb: everyone's arthritis is different as is everyone's ability (or not) to cope. I'm not sure what you mean by 'proper' pain relief - maybe something to take it all away for good? DD

Loula

Yeah, im hoping the doc says its xyz heres some pills and it will all go away........

kirst74

Hi,
The first appointment with Rhumatologist is an anxious one (mine was this year, not long ago) DD is right, you might not get immediate answers and more tests, so prepare that might happen. A tablet to make it all go away? Don't we wish! Sorry lovely, there is no such thing with arthritis, but there are ways to mange with the right treatments, dependant on which kind you have. Good luck with the appointment. Glad to hear you have time off, sounds like it's come at the right time.
Take care, kirstyxxx

dreamdaisy

For one or two auto-immuners a small regular dose of meth is enough to 'send it away' i.e. the disease is sufficiently suppressed to cause no trouble - in all the years I've been on here I've known it happen for sure to one person, for those in a similar situation well, they don't post because they don't need to: the fact that their positive experience could help newly-diagnosed others is of no interest. :roll:

The auto-immune regulars on here are all testament to the more usual story: we go to the docs, we take the meds and we don't get better because what they do is slow the joint deterioration and progression of whatever kind we have. It's a difficult concept to grasp if ill-health is a new experience; I am fortunate in that I've never known truly good health so have no idea what I've missed. What has made the biggest difference, however, is that I can no longer remember pain-free: that is, oddly, liberating. I am, however, eighteen years in and went without any meds for the first five - from my point of view I reckon you have a good chance of joining the ranks of those who don't need to post.

Please let us know how your appointment goes, if you do learn something definitive then you will be fortunate but don't go expecting that to happen - it rarely does. DD