Hi, just joined nras and thought I would say a bit about myself.

My name is Gill, I'm 52 years old and have children that are married now, I'm a widow and live on my own. I've had RA now for 33 years, had ups and downs along the way, but for the most part very remain very positive.

I have been on most of the treatments, the most effective being gold injections, but had to stop them after about 5 years due to them suddenly effecting my eyes.

The reason for my bad day is, just had a bit of a todo with my GP. I have my bloods taken at the hospital and ring the next day for my results and fill in my book but my GP does not like this and has told me it is not the hospitals job to moniter my bloods and that they are only doing so to get money, I don't belive this because I now that my Rheumatologist & his team of nurses do care. They have a very good helpline and are always there for you.

The thing is I have had my blood's taken by the hospital for years now and don't really want to change. Does anyone know if there is a written rule on who should take them?

Sorry to be moaning, promise I will be happy tomorrow.

Hello Gill

Welcome to RA and its forum. Sorry you have RA and for so long, but I am sure
you will find this site excellent for support and advice.

With reference to a set rule regarding the bloods I do not know for sure. All my bloods
were done by my GP when i was on mtx. On my 6 monthly visit the RA nurse take bloods but
when my results were dangerouse he did write to the Spec for the advice.

My name is Rose from Somerset. I was diagnosed with RA 2 yrs ago and failed on
mtx, suph, and recently leflun. Waiting to hear from my specialist for the next stage in the
meantime depo inject helping.

Welcome and keep posting


Rose

Hi and welcome. I'm Sue -57 and diagnosed this time last year. I'm on mtx hydroy and folic acid. I'm still on 2 weekly blood tests which are done at the hospital because that is more convenient to me. I would need an appointment at my GP but at the hospital I can call in on the way to work . I leave my book at the rheumy office in their special box and it gets posted back to me. My results are sent to my GP within 24 hours - I know that because when there has been a dodgy result he phones me - usually more quickly than the rheumy nurse.

We have enough to put up with. Surely it should be done in the way that gives you most peace of mind.

keep posting - you will always get lots of support here.
Sue

hi gill,welcome,i get my bloods at hospital but i dont have a book or get print outs,i usually see my gp 2-3 days after bloods taken i see him all the time and clinc every 6mths,i just get a load of blood forms and get on with it, i am 53 and widowed last year,my son(27) and his girlfriend stay with me,hope short term and my daughter(25) has her own house, i have only been diagnosed 3 yrs but on 25mg mtx and folic just over a year and hydroxy a few days,sulph hated me,had depo injection couple times, this is a marvellous site so many questions and answers,i've learned so much more,i can never get my nurse to speak to, but on here its just as good if not better as you get the answers from experience, good luck,dorothy.

Hi Gill

Welcome to the forum. Hope you find lots of help and useful experiences to read up on.

Like you I have had RA a long time, diagnosed sero-negative 22 years ago and since then run the gamut of medications and a number of surgical procedures. Currently on Enbrel and a few other bits and pieces thrown in for good measure; there's nothing like a well mixed cocktail . I have four children, aged between 16 and 22, all in various stages of education. I'm married and live in Lancashire.

One thing to remember on the forum is that we are all allowed to moan and let off steam and no apology is necessary! So go for it and don't worry about it

As with everything different areas each have their own way of dealing with blood test results. It should be established at the outset whether you are under 'hospital care' or 'shared care'. It does affect the way you are treated and monitored and the way health staff are paid.

I am under 6 monthly review by the consultant but my blood tests are done by my GP surgery. I go there with my monitoring book 3/4 days after the blood test to collect the results from reception. They fill in my book whilst I wait and off I go! I tend to monitor the results myself and if I feel there is a problem I arrange an appointment with my GP. I never let the book out of my sight as it's the only record I have of what's been going on long term! I'm very attached to it and it travels everywhere with me just in case!

I would be inclined to ask your hospital what their take is on this and establish the correct routine for future. Blood test results should be available to all health staff but I know mine are only seen by rheumatology if a request is made.

Dorothy-W I'm pretty sure that those on methotrexate should have a 'Shared care' monitoring book. I've had one for 9 or 10 years now. Might be worth asking when you're in clinic again. It's good to have because it's an ongoing record of drugs taken, appointments with all health staff, side effects can be recorded and of course blood test results.



Lyn x

hi Sue10,

i was given my monitoring book as soon as i was put on Methotrexate along with all the info on the drug.

there's quite a lot of sections filled in, apart from inflammation levels .. how your liver is coping, etc.

sorry don't have the book to hand but i think it's well worth asking about one.

Suzanne

I thought everyone on mtx had a monitoring book. I find it invaluable. When I was given it it was stressed that I had to keep it with me and take it to every doctor's appointment. It explains what all the bloodtests are and what the acceptable range of results is.. It enables me to keep track and see if results are getting better or worse.. Both my GP and consultant loook at it when I see them, they say it is easier to track the results in that format.
Do ask for one. And good luck.
Sue

lynn, thanks will have a word about this at clinic, its something i dont know about but will find out,will have another go at getting nurse.good luck to all

HI Gill and a belated welcome to the forum.
I mostly have my bloods done monthly by the nurse at the GP's surgery, as I have one lot done she writes the results of the previous one in my booklet, usually I get a phone call from one of the GP's a couple of days after they have been taken if any of them are not right for me. The hospital can also get these results on their screens.
However if I take a hospital envelope for bloods to the GP and they are sent off in that then the GP doesn't get a copy of the results back, which means the nurse had to ring for them. When I go the the GP's with a hospital envelope we've found the way round this is to send the the hospital blood envelope but also enclose a GP envelope in with it, that way the GP's always get the results and my book always gets filled in
Don't know why it works this way, it just does.
Best wishes
Sheila

Dear Gill, Hello and welcome to the forum.
I am Fiona, 53, diagnosed R.A Positive at age 38.
I have 3 grown up kids who have left home.
I take Hydroxychloriquine and have my bloods done at the hospital,
every 4-6 months.
My G.P does an annual health check and takes blood.
I am experiencing a flare-up at the moment and can't help wondering
if it is the change of season into Autumn making me worse.
Anyway, it's lovely to see you posting.
Best wishes,
Fiona