OK so the last couple of months have been a bit rough in various ways but of course everything will be alright next year! In the meantime though, not sure what to do next so could do with some pearls of wisdom.

Bottom of my middle finger on my left hand has been a bit iffy on and off before and after diagnosis 12 months ago. Its now been swollen for 2 months solid and the constant burning 6 inch nail jammed in it is getting a bit wearing. Showed the rheumy nurse a month ago and she said that if she asked the consultant to inject it he wouldn't because it wasn't bad enough, go away and get on with it. CRP's OK and tolerating the MTX which is clearly working, so you're fine. I'm now severely fed up with it, can't do any middle finger wiggling including typing, gripping or movement is pretty much out of the question and a slight knock has me on the ceiling or in tears. Its like having a useless painful, paw on the end of my arm rather than a hand!

So I rang the surgery this morning to see if the GP could recommend anything or did I really have to just put up with it. He's on holiday back in the week before Xmas but is triaging any requests for appointments. I've seen other GPs before and quite honestly its a waste of time.

I'm wondering then, do I put up with it because there really isn't much they can or will do?
Do I chance getting an appointment with my GP and will he do anything about it anyway or just tell me to speak to rheumy?
Do I ring the rheumy nurse in an attempt to change her mind or get some advice?
Do I wait until my OT appointment on 3 January when I know that my consultant is in the room next door and I might be able to sneak in for a quick chat
OR flaming well what??!!
Could just get drunk I suppose, oh no forgot, I can't!

Take care all
Sara

I agree Sara-thius is not good enough. I would do what Jean suggested , I once weote a long letter to my consultant telling him exactly how i felt and it worked wonders.

I am just posting to say that I agree with the others. You should not have to put up with this. keep fighting. I really hope that you get some relief soon. Best wishes from Naomi.

Hi Sarah

Hope all goes well for you and you get all you want from the GP to give you relief to enjoy Christmas

Best Wishes

Sue

Good luck for Friday Sara!

Diane x

Merry Xmas to you all

So saw my lovely GP yesterday to try to unravel the causes of the various swellings!

We concluded that some of my face symptoms and swelling is down to a sinus infection which has developed from my cold.

The jaw stuff is just the RA having a bit of fun in that area this week. Bring on the soup and smoothies!

Yes, he would have given me a steroid jab in my hand if I'd seen him a couple of weeks when I couldn't scratch my a**e, but we agreed that it wasn't as bad now and if I wasn't hanging off the ceiling with it then it was best to hold on in there. I really am a big baby where these things are concerned. But I now know that at least I can rely on him rather than the rheumy nurse for a jab if I need one.

And last but not least, the puffy swelling around my eyes on Tuesday and feeling like I wanted to crawl under a stone is an allergic reaction to taking the MTX. I've been telling them it makes me feel pants for 12 months now but must be another thing that's all in my head!

So lovely GP is going to write to my consultant for an emergency appointment and I'll be on the phone first thing Wednesday. The MTX was doing its job RA wise but now after 3 months of one infection after another and the allergic reaction, which apparently could turn into full blown anaphylaxis if I take it again, it is not for me anymore.

The next chapter has started! At least I can enjoy New Year just like in the old days.

Wishing you all a festive season full of laughs and jollity, you just gotta laugh (although along with chewing and snogging it hurts a bit at the minute)

Sara
xx