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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Hi All
I’ve been on mtx and etanercept for nearly 3 months and it seems to be going ok.
Four weeks ago I was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid. I understand that this disease is commonly related to RA. My rheumy has written to my GP and has asked for me to be referred to an endocrinologist. I am still waiting to hear from the hospital but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what could I expect to get from the endocrinologist. I am guessing I will be put on thyroxine but this can take some time to take effect.
It also looks as though I am anemic. I have had anemia on and off for a number of years so I am not sure if this is purely RA related. My concern is my rheumatologist does not seem to be too bothered about this since they say having blood results around the 10 level is normal for me. My last heamoglobin count was 9.7 which is quite below the norm. Well I have had it higher than this so I am not sure if I should get my GP to check this out as recently I have been feeling tired quite a lot of the time. I guess this could be RA, thyroid or anaemia related – take your pick.
Finally, I have been getting pins and needles feelings down the left side of my body mainly in my hand and foot. It has been going on for 2 days now and is slightly annoying. Have any of you suffered from this?
That's all for now.
Agnes x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hi Agnes, I'm similar to you re anaemia and my GP has put me on iron tablets mainly for the tiredness, I would say yes, without a doubt see your GP about this because I think they are helping me. While you are there you can mention pins and needles too. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Agnes,
Yes, definitely see your GP about the anaemia and mention the pins and needles.
Sorry I can't help re the endocrinologist but i'm sure someone will.
Hope you get the appointment soon and can start treatment.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 1,035
Location: in a house
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Hi Angnes I have the under ative Tyrioed had it for years . Offton been short of iron having a baby part of being a lady and of course you get it with a flare up. I expect the hospital viset is too give you a good checking over .I expect you will go till you are sable .And have it hospital comfirmed .Maybe good as the dr would speak to r.a team .So all things treated togetor .Sometimes MTX OR DRUGS makes the thyioed do silly things .So expect rotine going to hospital . Think an under ative thyioed is easy to treat very commom . Pins and neddles could be anything over breathing does it .May just be some thing simple as lots of things cause it . Christine The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Sorry I can offer no experience. But I do feel a doctors visit for
you tomorrow would be top of your shopping list
Good luck and think of you
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Agnes, yes, being anaemic can be part of RA. I have just been told by my GP that I am anaemic and to mention it at my next rheumy appt. I am also on thryroxine, have been for around 18 years now. I had a partial thyroidectomy due to the thyrooid making too much hormone, causing a swelling in the front of my neck. I dont know how long thyroxine takes to work, but I have a blood test each year to check the levels, and so far am still on the same dose from when diagnosed. As for pins and needles, I dont know about that, but do get it myself quite often. Hope you get sorted soon, take care BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Thanks for your replies. I have an appointment with my GP this week so I will mention the anaemia and will see what she says. I just hate the thought of taking so many pills but it looks as though that is going to be the way for me from now onwards. I shouldn't really complain because I had a good run of it for my first 40 years.
The pins and needles are a nuisance. I have also been having slight heart palpatations for the last few weeks. I mentioned this to the rheummy nurse and she has told me to bring it up with my GP. GP thinks it might be something to do with my thyroid so hopefully once I get my hospital appointment things will start to sort themselves out. I just wish I had more energy.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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I know what you mean Agnes, there seems to be so much to do and follow up and appointments to arrange and attend and yet we havn't got the energy to deal with it sometimes. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/26/2010
Posts: 271
Location: hampshire
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Hi Agnes, I have an under active thyroid too, have done for 16 years and take thyroxin daily. It can take a while to kick in but once it does, you will fee better. Anaemia seems to go hand in hand with ra and under active thyroid.
Good luck with it all, dont know if you know but with under active thyroid you are entitled to free prescriptions for life.
Heather xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Hi Heather - I did not know that I am entitled for free prescriptions for life. I've just paid out for a load of steroids and some other stuff. Do I need to fill in a form to get the free prescription? Can I get it from the GP or just once I've been seen by the consultant? Does the free script cover all over drugs or just the thyroxine.
I'm knackered now so off to bed. Night all.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Agnes
Do you use the pre-payment prescription, like a yearly season ticket ? I have it taken out of my account each month.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Agnes, I suffer from time to time with anemia too, the tiredness is really bad and you don' realize how bad you feel until you take iron tablets then start to feel better. My Rheumatologist said 10 was too low for bloods for me with RA. My ferritin level was extremely low too, it is not anymore as the iron tablets have helped no end. Your pins and needles sound like trapped nerves but your doctor will advise on that one. Ask about iron tablets the tiredness is really awful it can make you feel so weak. Take care hope you get sorted out soon. Lorna
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Out of interest, pins and needles and heart palpitations are both known side effects of Enbrel. Anaemia is a major component of Rheumatoid Arthritis, most patients experience it at some time along with its counterpart fatigue. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi
I see an endocrinologist- I developed secondary addisons disease as a result of long term steroids. Given me insulin dependent diabetes amongst other things.
Underactive thyroid is often seen in RA patients. THere is another thread about this on here if you do a "Search"
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/26/2010
Posts: 271
Location: hampshire
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Hi Agnes, if you try thisweb site www.patient.co.uk it should tell you how to get the form. If that doesnt work just go into google and put in nhs free prescriptions it should direct you to the correct place. Good luck! Heather xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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I don't have a prepayment certificate but I saw one advertised in my chemist earlier today so I am going to apply for one. I hadn't thought of getting one before but I had to pay out circa £21 3 weeks ago for drugs and I have been given another prescription today which is going to cost me a further £14 plus. So I am going to sort myself out with one today. I picked up the form from the chemist and I held off getting my new drugs until I get my prepayment number My GP is going to take some more bloods today to see if my anaemia is still a problem. I am guessing it is but I should get the results in a few days time. Interesting to hear that enbrel is well known for causing palpitations and pins and needles. I did not know this. My palpitations were more prominent a few weeks ago but have reduced over the last week. I now only get one or two a day whilst before it was all the time. One of the reasons the nurse checked my thryoid out was because she thought it might be over active and this often causes palpitations but it turned out I was the opposite of what they thought I had. Thanks for your help
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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I've saved a fortune over the years Agnes.
The annual subscription is well worth getting.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 106
Location: cornwall
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i agree get pre payment certificate
i'm suprised the pharmacy haven't suggested this before
as soon as my meds were increased it was suggested by the pharmacy
like the others it has saved a lot of money
caz x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 96 Location: Buckinghamshire
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Hi Agnes,
My blood count is also usually quite low but has been steadily going down and is now under investigation - my last test showed a level of just 9.2 which probably explains why I am feeling exhausted - apparently my iron levels are ok though so the team are looking into what else it could be. I had a another test last week and hope to get the results today - hopefully my last result was just a blip!
x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Thanks for the advice ladies......I've just bought myself an annual prepayment cert. I paid out a fortune this year but I'm glad I've found it now. It's a shame I did not do it earlier cos I was doing my teacher training and every penny counts.
Good luck with your investigations rheumatoidymummy. Let's hope it's just a blip
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