Arthritis

Randas

At what stage do you say to your Dr I can’t physically stand the pain in my fingers and hand anymore

Ellen

Good morning @Randas

It sounds to me as though you really are struggling.

You have every right to tell your Dr this now, if that is how it is for you.

A lot of us are inclined to visit the Dr and put a brave face on it. Not always the best move when things are really bad.

Do let us know how you get on.

Ellen.

frogmorton

Hi @Randas I am so sorry to read your post your are obviously (to me) really having a tough time and in a load of pain.

Tell them NOW there may be something they can do to help. I hope you've got a good GP.

Best of luck

Toni x

Arciere

@Randas

I’m sorry to read your post.

I had a similar frustration at the end of 2024. To be blunt I was angry.

The miracle for me was a Rheumatology Advice line at my local hospital AND changing GP.

It was near Christmas and my GP had already referred me to Rheumatology with an appointment in February.

I was trying to get pain relief in the meantime and the next earliest appointment I could get with my GP was in 4 weeks time at the end of January.

So I used the NHS find a GP webpage and changed GP surgery. Then I called the Rheumatology advice line and left a message asking for help - in advance of my appointment.

Within 48 hours, a specialist nurse from the hospital had called me back to discuss the options. She then wrote to my new GP asking for them to consider prescribing oral steroids, then the new GP called me in response to the letter arranging an appointment that day during which I secured the steroid prescription.

So my advice is;

• see if you can change GP if your surgery isn’t giving you what you need
• look to see if there is a rheumatology advice line at your local hospital

Everything will get better.