Worry

I know that I've been unusually quiet recently but there has really been very little to report until now!

Last week I received another unexpected letter - this time from the Radiology Department of the hospital inviting me for an appointment for a CT scan on Saturday at 14.10. What really worried me was that there was no explanation as to WHY I was actually there. I'm afraid that I really started to worry about what exactly was wrong with me.

Anyway I was taken about 10 mins early and, of course, asked what the scan was for. The person who was doing the scan, as I suspected, had no idea. The scan was simple enough and I was finished just before my actual appointment was due to start. I asked how long the results would be and was told that It would probably be around two weeks.

Please note that what I am about to say should not be construed as a criticism of the NHS but the lack of communication with me has really got me worried. Did I get the scan as a result of something that the X-Ray threw up? I don't know and this is why I have been panicking about the scan. I'm afraid that my mind has thrown up all sorts of scenarios - none of them good. And I've still got around another couple of weeks of worry before I know anything. I must admit that I am a little bit scared about what the scan might throw up.

The steroids still don't really seem to be working and I have had a little extra pain in my arms - but nothing I can't really handle although the fatigue I am experiencing is more annoying. I think that I will have to email the rheumatologist in the next day or so.

On the positive side we had a wonderful evening in Sunderland watching a superb Fairport Convention gig - ably supported by Plumhall.

Sorry I haven't been so positive this time. The next update will be on Tuesday or Wednesday after my appointment with the respiratory clinic on Tuesday afternoon.

Things I will never take for granted again - buttering toast! At times this was a complete nightmare as I could hardly hold the knife.

As usual please share, follow and leave a reply.

Take care of yourselves.

Cheers

Rob

  

Comments

  1. Anonymous2 March 2024 at 11:12

    Hi Rob. What a worry. Hopefully results will come through soon and the news will be good. It's difficult to be positive 100% of the time. Glad you enjoyed the gig. Gotta love live music! All the best . Christine T 😊

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nigel2 March 2024 at 13:26

    The NHS can be amazing and infuriating; often on the same day. Individual people do wonderful work but the administration is often woefully inadequate. We have had physical letters with “hyperlinks” to information such as the location of appointments. Who on earth thought that was a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shirley2 March 2024 at 17:07

    I agree that the NHS are great but communication is definitely lacking, probably due to them being so busy. But yes it leads to worry and anxiety. The waiting is the worst part. Fingers crossed for you

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 00:40

    It's Theresa again. I'm sad that you now have the worry of a 2 week wait. Fingers crossed that they are just ticking boxes.
    I too find fatigue the worst symptom of RA. It's more debilitating for me than the pain, which is currently being fairly well managed. I don't know if, like me, you find stress really exacerbates your symptoms. I'm currently backwards and forwards to see my mum in England as she's been in hospital for 5 weeks, and my symptoms are the worst they've been for ages.
    I'd really encourage you to join Versus Arthritis on FB and the Scottish one too, if you haven't already. I've attended some of their courses, online and in person, and find them useful.
    As for the fatigue, I've learned over the years that some days just have to be rest days. I don't stress about that any more, as tomorrow is a completely new day.
    Diet also affects my RA and I find that if I eat unhealthily for a few days, my joints get more sore. I try not to eat much dairy, and use plant based milk, though I love cheese, and oranges always have an unpleasant effect too. In the Versus Arthritis diet guide, they suggest red meat can be triggering. I'm a vegetarian but that may be worth considering. A food diary is a good way of finding any patterns that may trigger a flare up.
    Sadly, for me the positive effects of a steroid injection don't last long in managing pain.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous3 March 2024 at 00:46

    It's Theresa again. It may be helpful to ask for an OT appointment. They are fantastic for giving advice about equipment that can help with basic tasks, although you'll probably have to purchase some yourself . I'm very lucky as I have my own private OT, my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  6. June Turney3 March 2024 at 10:31

    I understand your concerns Rob. However, if you ring your consultant or a member of the team they should be able to give you a reason. It seems now that you often get an X-ray followed by a scan. I have two friends that this has happened to very recently. It could also be the X-ray didn’t reveal anything and so the scan is just a double check. Try not to worry too much. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Martin Walker5 March 2024 at 14:47

    I fully sympathise, Rob. Two weeks is a long time to wait when you're anxious about the result and don't know what it's for. I agree with the above suggestion to contact your consultant's team. This might lift some of your worry.
    Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous11 March 2024 at 02:31

    I think it will be to see just exactly going on and what joints are affected. Please try not to worry as that could make your pain worse. As already said you maybe have to rethink what you eat and drink. Also try to keep as mobile as you can. From past experience the eating and drinking and exercise (however little) gives you a bit of control back and you don't feel so overwhelmed. Best Wishes Ali

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous4 January 2025 at 11:17

    Try contacting your consultant's secretary. I've always found them to be helpful and they may tell you the purpose of the scan.

    ReplyDelete

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