Rich put this post on the blog section and seems to have got a bit lost.
Many thanks Julia
Hello all ,
i have seen people's journeys to where they are at now on here and thought i would just add my own .
Off work since October 2007 , and it started with extreme fatigue and pins and needles in my legs and hands ,and pain in coccyx and lower spine . I also had pains in my knees which i had put down to having Osgood Sclhatters disease as a kid.
Initially referred to orthopaedics , where i was told by the consultant that it was my age (I was 44!) , and given a single physio appointment.
Also sent to have an endoscope put where the sun don't shine whereby they found out i had diverticulitis (an added bonus!!). The consultant who was handling the endoscopy side was very good and i managed to get a sideways referral to Neurology( rather than having to go back to my GP) due to the loss of feeling in extremities.
The neurologist was very thorough and despite his lack of personal skills i had a great deal of trust in him . . He also ruled out Peripheral Nerve damage and MS.
He also did an x-ray of my hips and lower spine which showed damage to my lower spine and hips ( which reversed the decision of the previous consultant that it was just age!)
After nagging my GP , i was given a Rhematology referral and given diclofenac and pregabalin by him.
Initial contact ( not sure of date ) with Rheumatology (after blood tests) showed raised RA factor and low level infection.. given steroid injection and had MRI and X-rays of hands and feet.
After 3 appointments six months apart .. finally diagnosed with RA and placed on 3 months of steroids. 6 months later when i finally got the appointment i was placed on Leflunomide ( together with pregabalin and amitryptylene from GP).
Haven't got on well with the drug 4 months later , as it kills my stomach (despite lansaprazole) , gives me terrible headaches and also have a very bad rash on my lower back and legs , plus i see no improvement of my mobility or the extreme tiredness.
Had appointment yesterday expecting to see the Consultant .. and it was actually the nurse .. explained all the above to her then she is going to pass the info onto the Consultant to see if i can change drugs .I also explained that i was a lot worse than a year ago....
So hopefully i will receive a letter through the post with a prescription in it , and the information as promised .
Was asked to make a 3 month appointment and to go back to outpatients reception , and was told promptly that the reception could only make Rheumatoid appts from November 2011.
So looks like my Consultant's secretary is going to be getting lots of emails from me ;)
The nurse also raised the possibility that it could be Psioratic Arthritis despite the high RA levels .. oh well we will see:)
Is there a NPAS ? hehe
Anyway perhaps i should have put this in the steam room .
Rich :)
