hi everyone, hope you are feeling ok, thought i would let you know conversation i had with rhumiy nurse to day i have been phoning for few days with no answer finally got him today, ME hi could i have apointment to see you please, i have lot pain in my foot and hip and can hardly walk, NURSE, have you made apointment with doctor, ME i cant get apointment for 3 weeks, NURSE im fully booked up,ME how do i make apointment then, nurse have you fallen and hurt your hip, ME no, nurse THINK YOU SHOULD PHONE FOR APOINTMENT WITH DOC INCASE YOU HAVE FRACTURED YOUR HIP, ME no i have not i have not seen rhumy nurse for over 6 months how can i get apointment, NURSE IM FULLY BOOKED. ME how do other people make apointment with you if your fully booked, there was no answer to this then he said he would try and firt me in about 4 weeks time, i am in a lot of pain when i walk just my right foot and right hip i am on sulfasalazine 2 in the morning and night and co codamal for pain any advice about how i can get to see rhumiy nurse xx sylvia

Hi Sylvia
How awful, you ring for pain and help.....but they 2 busy to see you.

I would ring the doctor surgery, see if I can get with docotor today or go to a&e.

This all goes back to primary care trusts acting independantly and having different expectations/guidelines. Frustrating!!!!!

How about ring nras helpline for their guidence?

I will share my experience, after I was diagnosed with ra. I felt awful during the nite, was breastfeeding my daughter....could not move. My husband had to change her and bring her to me for feeding.
The next day (saturday) I had seized everywhere, I asked my husband to take me to hospital. Saw doctors there, was admitted and given steriod injections and steriod tablets.
They kept me in overnite....I could walk again in the morning!!!! Felt I was reborn!
So hard tho, hospital wouldn't let my husband and daughter stay (was feeding her).

Good job I had tub of sma at home on standby!!!! And my husband said my daughter slept for the first nite ever!

Moral of the story: go to a&e if all else fails.

I haven't used a&e since, but know they would help if go again.

Good luck, I hope you get help soon.

Jane
Xxx

This is awful Sylvia, you don't want help in four weeks time you want it now. That's thinking that he can fit you in in four weeks time. It really isn't good enough.

Have you tried ringing your consultant's secretary and explaining things? Just a thought it might help.

If I was you I would ring the appointment booking line every morning and see if there's been a cancellation and keep pestering your specialist nurse too.

I would also see your GP to try and get some stronger pain killers to help while you wait for an appointment.

I am lucky because at my hospital we have three nurses, it's a large hospital so I can assume that they must have alot of patients needing rheumatology. I have rung up a few times asking for help, never really had a problem getting an appointment. The last time I rang was on a Tuesday and I got an appointment two days later.

Hope something is sorted soon.

Love Paula x

sorry to hear of your plight Sylvia,

really not good enough is it.

would your Doctor be able to fax the hospital with a bit of pressure for you, that would be my first port of call as i have a very supportive GP.

i think my Rheumy Nurse keeps a few appointments a week back for those that need help such as flares etc. i know i have been seen within a couple of days in between appointments.

again i agree also trying the Consultant's Secretary seems a good idea,

let us know how you are.

Suzanne x

Hi Sylvia,
Sorry you are having an awful time at the mo. It's very frustrating not being able to get an appointment. Maybe PALS can help you out.
Do let us know how you get on.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope you get to see someone soon.
Mary

Sylvia

Appalling service. It makes me mad that some areas have good service and areas like yours are a complete shambles.

As everyone else has suggested, Consultant's Secretary or A & E.

Hope some one sorts you soon and don't take "no" for an answer

Jackie
xx