Visit to Specialist

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Dragonfly17
Dragonfly17 Member Posts: 47
edited 24. Jan 2017, 12:04 in Living with Arthritis archive
Have been for appointment with my Specialist today. Things looking much better but still have problems with wrists, gripping with the left hand and knee probs, but was told am in remission and not need to see anyone in Rheumatology Dept for 6 months! Am confused cos been seeing someone every 5 weeks since September and having bloods taken every 2 weeks and now only need every 2 months! Is this normal, I thought it would change to longer between visits but not such a vast difference. Also if in remission is it normal to still have some problems, I thought it meant I will feel no discomfort at all. Any info will be helpful.

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  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I'm afraid the longer difference in appointment might due to the stress the NHS is under not due to Consultant!! My appointments with both Rheumatology and Orthopaedic are longer apart than normal. If your still suffering with pain can't you speak to your Rheumatology Nurse about it?
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,710
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I used to see my rheumatologist every 6 months if things were OK and every 3 if they weren't. About 2 years ago I was asked if I minded going just annually. I agreed readily because I seem to be doing much better than the NHS right now :roll:

    Initial bloods need to be done often to see how the body is reacting but, once we seem to be tolerating the meds well. longer intervals are introduced. I have mine 2-3 monthly now.

    What is remission? Remission is when the blood tests show that your disease is not active. That doesn't mean to say you have no pain. Pain can result from damage already done or just from muscles etc becoming weak while all the hoo-haa was going on. Sometimes the latter will improve when they can be used 'normally' again. I hope you maight find this the case for you.

    If you need pain relief your GP can prescribe something. The rheumatologist deals with the disease itself.

    I guess there are some few, lucky people who go into remission and can forget about arthritis but I suspect they're very few and far between.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    If I could define normal (and write the definitive self-help book) the combined financial strengths of Bernie Ecclestone, Bill Gates, E L James, the Queen and Mark Zuckerberg would be envying my wealth. For some reason this isn't the situation.

    I have a list of words that should be banned from the language including 'fair', 'normal' and 'usual' because I have redefined all of them. Many arthritic moons ago I saw someone in rheumatology every three months, my blood results booklet was completed when I went for my weekly meth injections but it all changed around four years ago. My injections are delivered and I do them, I hear nothing about my bloods (my conclusion has to be all is well) and my next appointment with rheumatology is in February (the last one was August). Luckily I am an old hand at this but if this is new to you it cannot be easy to comprehend. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I do hope you stay in remission and the 2 monthly visits will be fine...fingers crossed..
    Love
    Barbara
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