Hi everyone,
thanks to Fiona and Tammy who answered my post last night. I've managed to get an appointment with my gp at 10.20 this morning, so about an hour.
If anyone reads my post between now and then, please could you help me out? Is the gp able to precribe prednisone (think that is what it's called) or do I have to see rheumatolagist? Is there anything else I should ask her for that will help in the mean time.
I'm taking volterol (diclofenic) 3 times a day with paracetamol and it's doing b****r all to help. I couldn't sleep last night cause of the pain and it seems to be getting worse everyday. I don't see rheumatolagist until 10th Oct.
I'm so sorry to whinge when you guys have got so much more to deal with. I'm just feeling very frightened and as though I'm living in limbo until I see the rheum.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Love
Carys
-x-
A GP can perscribe you a steroid (like prednisone) but they may not feel comforatable putting you on a long term dose to get you to Oct. Maybe they will give you a pred-pak that is about a weeks worth, starts out at a higher dose and tapers down. You also need a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen, naproxen, Mobic or Celebrex). You can usually take these along with your stronger pain meds. Just ask about compatabilities. If you are feeling tired alot, you can take folic acid. It can be purchased with out a perscription, but make sure the doctor says it is okay to take.
Everything else you can do on your own...cool packs or heat, rest, warm soaks in the tub, sports creams or icy/hot patches, well make supportive socks and shoes, knee and wrist braces if needed (the soft kind that athletes often wear), gentle stretching each day. And then you wait....that is a big part of RA.
Oh, I just realized that with the difference in time zones, you have already gone right? Sorry, I hope you got what you needed. Let us know!My advice for you right now is to prepare for that appointment - keep a diary of symptoms and a list of questions that you can present to the RD as 'evidence' they can consider.
Sorry you are going through this, I hope the appointment went okay and that things work out for the best,
Take care,
Moonie
[QUOTE=pinkcarys]thanks to Fiona and Tammy who answered my post last night. I've managed to get an appointment with my gp at 10.20 this morning, so about an hour.
If anyone reads my post between now and then, please could you help me out? Is the gp able to precribe prednisone (think that is what it's called) or do I have to see rheumatolagist? Is there anything else I should ask her for that will help in the mean time.
I'm taking volterol (diclofenic) 3 times a day with paracetamol and it's doing b****r all to help. I couldn't sleep last night cause of the pain and it seems to be getting worse everyday. I don't see rheumatolagist until 10th Oct.
I'm so sorry to whinge when you guys have got so much more to deal with. I'm just feeling very frightened and as though I'm living in limbo until I see the rheum.[/QUOTE]
Hi,
I'm in exactly the same boat as you. My doctor told me that my symptoms were textbook RA and that the tests were just a formality. She assured me there was absolutely no chance the problems were caused by my job. Unfortunately I had to see a different doctor when my test results came back, and because they were normal he told me it isn't RA and it is my job. He gave me the same drugs as you and told me to come back to see the original doctor after a few weeks. Hopefully she will listen more than the last one.
I have been told that in the UK doctors are unwilling to officially diagnose RA in the younger generations as that means a lifetime of medication. They are not keen to enter you into the system so early as it costs them money. I sincerely hope this isn't true but I can well believe it of the NHS.
I hope you get the diagnosis you need, whatever it may be, in order to get the correct medication, and get your life on track. Let us know how you get on.