Second Rheumy appointment

Slosh

Well I have managed to confuse my Rheumy consultant! Makes me think my Mother was more right than she knew when she said I never did things the easy way.

So, my inflammatory markers are still up and so have been for some time, the first blood test I had was in May, and I don't "feel" ill.

However I don't present with the usual symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, and going on those, my history and her examination of me I present with Chronic pain syndrome caused by my cervical spondylosis.

But, there is the problem of those inflammatory markers....

So, I have a two week course of Prednisolone, see her again in two weeks, and go for more blood tests a couple of days before.

So, watch this space because I 'll be after pocket duties again soon.

frogmorton

Oh dear!

You like confusing them then?

At least she is still trying to diagnose you. I hope she can.

Does chronic pain syndrome sound reasonable to you I wonder?

I hope the steroids help you

Love

Toni xxx

Slosh

Thanks, it would be nice to be less "complex" as my GP terms it!

The consultant I'm seeing is easy to talk to and seems "human" if you know what I mean.

The chronic pain syndrome does sound a possibility. I'm just relieved that after about 18 months of worsening pain, someone other than my GP is listening to me and taking me seriously. With Orths I always tended to feel ungrateful as the surgery hadn't really worked, they couldn't see a problem, and that I was exagerating/making a fuss and just wasting their time.

rayray

I am glad that you had a 'good' appointment. It will be interesting to see if the medication helps but otherwise, if the other diagnosis is settled on (or both) I guess treatment of the pain syndrome is a positive step forward.

Good luck.

Slosh

Thanks, that is my thought exactly, that someone other than my GP is trying to find a solution and help. I'm not keen on taking steroids but if it helps it's worth it.

stickywicket

Slosh wrote:

With Orths I always tended to feel ungrateful as the surgery hadn't really worked, they couldn't see a problem, and that I was exagerating/making a fuss and just wasting their time.

For me, orthopaedics is all about surgery. If they can whip it out or replace it they're in business but otherwise they soon lose interest.

I hope you'll soon get some answers.

Slosh

Sticky, that's my GPs view too, as he put it "Unless they can mend you or put bits in you they're not interested ".

I get they are specialists in their area but some were very dismissive of me.

Oh well, once again, it just shows how important it is to have a good, regular GP who you can talk to and who knows you.

And not long until hopefully I will know what the problem is and maybe have a plan of attack.

Thanks for making the time to reply when you are so busy with your move. Thinking of you and hoping it goes well.

dibdab

I think it's sad it can't be more joined up when we see different hospital departments, it would surely cut down on appointments and resources if they communicated more. Having said that I understand that hospital staff are under immense pressure and are doing their best.

Hope you get some answers soon. Xx

Slosh

I find it frustrating, especially as in my SENCO/Inclusion days the focus was on multidisciplinary working and the sharing of information to form action plans, however it is not cheap to work like that.

Still at least something is being done, but as my Rheumatologist says, and I understand, sometimes you can only make a diagnosis by trying treatments and ruling things out.

I've been on the steroids for three days now but can't say I am feeling much difference as yet.

bubbadog

Hey Slosh you've gone and nicked my crown then! It's me who usually confuses consultants! As they nick named me 'the Enigma'! I think they usually see my name on the appointment list and panic!!

So I don't mind you taking my crown for a change! I like the thought there is someone other than just me who flummoxes consultants!!

Slosh

Perhaps we can share it!