How often do you see/speak to your consultant?

Cara123
Cara123 Member Posts: 34
edited 9:57AM in Living with arthritis

Hi, I wondered how often other people have contact with their consultant, maybe especially at the start of their treatment and/or if they have bad side effects?

Comments

  • jamieA
    jamieA Member Posts: 873

    Hi @Cara123

    I suppose it will depend to some degree on where you live. I live in a city and during my first year my appointments were every 3 months. Coincidentally the biologic I was prescribed at 9 months kicked in fully by the end of the first year so when my appointments became every 6 months after that first year I was fine with that. During the first year I also used the clinic nurse telephone service and clinic nurse face to face visits when necessary. However I did meet another PsA sufferer who lived in a different part of the city and attended a different hospital - he hadn't seen his consultant in 2 years.

  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 34

    Hi @jamieA

    thank you for letting me know. I have just started Methotrexate and my appointment with the doctor isn't until the end of January next year, over a year after my first appointment. I am experiencing quite bad side effects and wondered if it's normal that you can't get seen before, even when you tell the hospital about the problems. But I suppose it does depend on where you live.

  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 34
  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 34
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725095#Comment_725095

    Sorry, I meant to say, the appointment next January will be over a year after the last appointment, not first one!

  • olivia_b
    olivia_b Moderator Posts: 114

    Hi @Cara123,

    Sorry to hear that you are struggling with the side affects of methotrexate. If you cannot get through to someone at your hospital I would suggest ringing the Versus Arthritis helpline to see if they have any useful information for you. The number is 0800 5200 520.

    I hope this helps and please keep us updated with how things are going for you :)

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • stooperman
    stooperman Member Posts: 2

    I just dropped through a timewarp to say that when I used to see them, I got an appointment every 2 and a half years. A longer stretch than the timewarp ..

  • Moira
    Moira Member Posts: 129

    I would check with your GP. When I was on Methotrexate I had to have regular blood tests at the surgery. I would only see the rhumatologist once a year but I could call up the clinic whenever I needed to and see the nurse practioner or other registrar.

    Get in touch with your GP Good luck.

    Moira

  • mollymartin
    mollymartin Member Posts: 6

    Hi! When I was diagnosed and started methotrexate, I was told I would see the rheumatologist every 6-9 months (has been consistent) but I had to go get bloods at my GP done every 2 weeks for 3 months, then it went to every month for 6 months, and now I am currently on every 3 months for bloods, but for rheumatologist it is still every 6-9 months :)

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