Good Morning folks!

Was alerted to this piece in the Guardian this morning.



On reading the article I simply had to comment on it. While patient education does need improving we're not alone in this, GP's failing to refer people to a rheumatologist also causes a big delay as found in the select committee report

I'm sure I'm also not alone in speaking to people via the Volunteer Network who have had RA confirmed through blood tests and still aren't referred and are surviving on ibuprofen.

We have work to do :)

Jo.

with me i went to docs with stiff feet that hurt and stiff hands .I said too him stuff like R.A
Anyway with in week i had been x rayed and bloodtest .
Which came out normal .

Next time no there not much i can do as you don,t appair to have it .
take pain killers

next time i needed a sick note as it got into fever sore joints and still no ill do something as bloods and x rays fine .

Next time its a virus
Next time i said too him look i can,t work its getting worse i need someone .They did it but non urgent

letter came 9 weeks wait getting worse .
next doc vistet i was in a state i could only walk yards swelled hands feet knees .
Ohh you need to see someone quick rang to find could not get me in .Gave me something .


get too see the rummie too find i was in bad way .She was not sure what but i guess it was the overlap

then waiting for tests to be done aother 8 weeks later i was on MTX JUST UNDER 6 months .
but prasie rummie she got me in the O.T very quick with in week .

christine

I had stiff hands in the morning for ages but didn't go to the doctor as it seemed a bit trivial. I only went when my knuckles really swelled. He immediately said it could be RA - (he is really good at diagnosing less common complaints). Once I got to the consultant it was quite another story. She said it might be RA, was probably some sort of inflammatory arthritis. Take paracetamol and come back in 6 months. I was less than reassured. Fortunately I had to see another consultant at a different hospital about my angeodema. He noticed my knuckles and sent me for a CRP(?) test and within a week I had a call from my GP to say my inflamation level was sky high and I had RA. It still took 2 letters from my GP and a very cross phonecall from me to the consultant's secrtary to get that 6 month appointment brought forward.
Next time I saw my GP he said 'I see they are taking you a bit more seriously now!!'
Keep up the good fight all
Sue

i got diagnosed when i was in hospital with salmanella and a virus i caught which was airborn,i was working as a community carer and complained constant to my gp about hands and feet stiffness all he kept saying was to rest on my days off(not possable),in hospital i couldnt stand the covers on my feet plus other symptoms and it was a very very young man just qualified that took notice asked me questions and got my feet xrayed and the rest as they say is history,he was my hero,he still says hello when i go to clinic,im not bothered how the pills are given just make them work