Update - First Rheumy Appointment

jackie1955

Good morning everyone, just thought I'd post an update

I got an earlier appointment with the Rheumy (was for mid-March but they had a cancellation!) so saw him last week for the first time. He was indeed a very nice chap, very easy to talk to. Asked lots of questions, did a thorough physical examination, then I had bloods done, hand and feet x rays, and a hand ultra-sound scan.

He said I was showing 'early' signs of RF, and could see inflammation in my finger joints (I also noticed on one of the blood test forms he had put 'poly?' ). Also the sonographer said she could see 'slight inflammation but nothing alarming" .

Anyway, he said he wanted to get all the results and information together to make a diagnosis, so would not give me any medication until he see's me again in 6 weeks, as he does not want to 'set me off on the wrong path'. Made sense to me!
And as I've been on diclofenac since Oct'07 for a bad back, he suggested I increase them back to 2 a day (I had dropped it down to 1), to see if it would help the inflammation in the meantime.

Physically my hands/fingers and right wrist are probably the most painful and swollen; and terribly stiff every morning and I have pain in my feet, elbows and shoulders. Am also surprised at the weakness in my hands and arms too, finding some tasks harder to do - and don't mean to be too basic here but even performing toilet duties isn't as easy as it was (specifically the part where the tissue is involved lol)....... I feel at my best when its time to go to bed at night, as the stiffness is never so bad by then!

Also been having terrible time with the left knee, but the Rheumy said that was suffering with OA and completely different :shock:

Well folks, thats about it at the moment - sorry its such a long posting :!:
oh - just before I go, can anyone recommend any muscle-strengthening exercise?

Bye for now, Jackie x

frogmorton

Hi Jackie
Sounds as though you feel positive about your apt - I am glad for you
So prob got oa too
I think this site has some exercises you can do if you have a look around. Increasing diclo has to help hopefully
good job! I am pleased for you
Take care
Toni x

plmb48

jackie1955 wrote:

Good morning everyone, just thought I'd post an update

I got an earlier appointment with the Rheumy (was for mid-March but they had a cancellation!) so saw him last week for the first time. He was indeed a very nice chap, very easy to talk to. Asked lots of questions, did a thorough physical examination, then I had bloods done, hand and feet x rays, and a hand ultra-sound scan.

He said I was showing 'early' signs of RF, and could see inflammation in my finger joints (I also noticed on one of the blood test forms he had put 'poly?' ). Also the sonographer said she could see 'slight inflammation but nothing alarming" .

Anyway, he said he wanted to get all the results and information together to make a diagnosis, so would not give me any medication until he see's me again in 6 weeks, as he does not want to 'set me off on the wrong path'. Made sense to me!
And as I've been on diclofenac since Oct'07 for a bad back, he suggested I increase them back to 2 a day (I had dropped it down to 1), to see if it would help the inflammation in the meantime.

Physically my hands/fingers and right wrist are probably the most painful and swollen; and terribly stiff every morning and I have pain in my feet, elbows and shoulders. Am also surprised at the weakness in my hands and arms too, finding some tasks harder to do - and don't mean to be too basic here but even performing toilet duties isn't as easy as it was (specifically the part where the tissue is involved lol)....... I feel at my best when its time to go to bed at night, as the stiffness is never so bad by then!

Also been having terrible time with the left knee, but the Rheumy said that was suffering with OA and completely different :shock:

Well folks, thats about it at the moment - sorry its such a long posting :!:
oh - just before I go, can anyone recommend any muscle-strengthening exercise?

Bye for now, Jackie x

please as to see ot they can help with loo problems lol its a great little gadget pauline .

lindalegs

jackie1955 wrote:

........................... finding some tasks harder to do - and don't mean to be too basic here but even performing toilet duties isn't as easy as it was (specifically the part where the tissue is involved lol)....... I feel at my best when its time to go to bed at night, as the stiffness is never so bad by then!

oh - just before I go, can anyone recommend any muscle-strengthening exercise?

Bye for now, Jackie x

Hi Jackie,

It sounds as though you have an excellent Rheumy.

There has been a recent thread on exercises which you could find helpful.

I always seem to need to wipe my b*m when my shoulders/hands/wrists/fingers are at their most stiff painful time of the day :shock: Why is that :?:

There is a gadget, like a bent stick, you can use that you wrap the toilet roll round the end but to be honest, for me, it pretty much useless and I get in more or a mess trying to get the soiled toilet roll off the thing :oops: sorry if anyone's just eating :oops: I do the very best I can, using loads of toilet roll and if I don't think I'm clean enough I have a shower.

I think I've just given everyone far too much information :oops: I'll shut-up now before I'm banned from the site.

Luv from Legs who's still blushing

jackie1955

Thanks for replies, great to hear from you all

Linda :!: I've just read your post while munching on a lovely ham and mustard sarnie - boy did I start laughing when I read what you'd put

Well, I thought I'd have to rethink how to do some things - but I've been wiping my own botty quite well for many years, didn't consider I'd ever 'need a hand'

This arthur business is a real bummer in more ways than one :!:

Jackie x
(sorry don't mean to offend anyone, just trying to find some humour where I can :? )

Wonkylegs

Jackie - Arthur is not going to beat you is he?

Well done on finding the funny side of a really difficult problem. laughter sometimes really IS the best medicine!!!!

do ask if the OT can help though - that's what they are there for (helping YOU to succeed I mean, not actually helping you ..... :shock: )

mandy_b1967

I am glad it went well for you I have my first Rheumy appointment next wednesday I feel more positive now I have read your posting Jackie thanks
Mandy