The first appointment with the Rheumatologist

9.30 February 14th 2024 was the time I had been looking forward to with a fair degree of trepidation as this was the first time I had seen a rheumatologist. I arrived early and was quickly seen by a nurse who took my blood pressure and relieved me of my urine sample. She also gave me two sample bottles - at least I won't have to pee into a bottle next time! Then back to wait.

At around 9.45 a doctor, who I had seen arrive at 9.30, called my name - and off we went. I had Marian with me in case I forgot anything. The first thing he did was ask how it all started. I had a bunch of notes with me so I was able to give a fairly comprehensive account of things.

The only current symptoms I had were shoulder pain, knee pain and my thumb soreness.

The doctor spent some time examining my fingers and wrists and then he made a few ultrasound scans of the same area. He decided that the best course of action was a steroid injection and then try me on a course of Methotrexate. He explained that the injection would calm the pain for a couple of months and that the Methotrexate may take two or three months to work. He also said that I would need blood tests every two weeks to start with. Then I mentioned that I had been feeling a bit out of breath recently. That stopped everything!

He then sounded my chest and found something. Methotrexate was off the table, at least for now, and he wanted me to get a chest x-ray. 

Back to the nurse who took bloods and gave me a steroid injection in my bum and then off to another part of the hospital for x-rays of my chest and hands.

And now the waiting game - the x-rays could take two or three weeks and then the Rheumatologist will be in touch about the plan for going forward.

I am now back home with instructions to rest. I was impressed with the NHS today (apart from the late arrival of the doctor) and especially how efficient and friendly everyone was. We need to ensure the future of this invaluable service. 

Last week I had a couple of really down days and had a morning of feeling sorry for myself. Hopefully that is in the past and I will be able to be much more positive from now on.

I will no longer take standing up from a seated position for granted. During my worst times it was a major operation. Not such a problem at the moment.

As usual I would appreciate any comments.

Please share this far and wide.

Take care of yourselves.

Rob

Comments

  1. Anonymous14 February 2024 at 05:40

    Glad you got to see Rheumatologist and although not the outcome you would have wanted it is important to find the cause of the breathlessness. Hopefully results will provide a way forward and hope one doesn’t delay the other. Try and stay positive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous14 February 2024 at 13:02

    Andrew Forbes Smith

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous15 February 2024 at 04:39

    Goodness it all.seems to be taking forever for you. No medication in the meantime apart from steroids?
    They are right to check out the breathlessness before methotrexate however, but there are loads of alternatives to methotrexate. You have to be cautious with alcohol and methotrexate too, though as my former doctor said, you have to also live your life.Steroids are at best a quick fix. I'm not anonymous by the way. It's Theresa Bennett. I've forgotten my Google password 😆

    ReplyDelete
  4. Debra Sherriffs16 February 2024 at 08:07

    Glad you are getting somewhere, take care 😊

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shirley19 February 2024 at 06:30

    I think you're allowed to feel sorry for yourself now and again. And.... does resting include teaching? One thing I don't remember it being is restful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis19 February 2024 at 06:35

      I'm doing SFL so lots of brain use but less moving about - anyway it takes my mind off everything else.

      Delete

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