Should I press docs? How difficult is it to get a referral

Origionally when symptoms started i got a quick referal to specialist because of the early ra nhs protocols. However all mt bloods were negative and xrays and sumptoms disnt fit RA so i had to fight for a further 18months with my GP to get another appointment with the specialist when stmptoms got worse but bloods were still negative. Specialist how now diagnosed me with Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis and given me DMARDS and is monitoring to check for progression to RA. I suggest a keeping a diary of your stmptoms and how its affecting your day to day life to tey and persuade them to refer you.

Bloodtests don't mean anything if you are very symtomatic. Push to get seen by a doctor-rheumatologist!

Its some years ago now, but my local GP kept telling me I had post viral syndrome, I think thats a excuse for we don;t know what is wrong.

Prescribed pain killers, until months later managed to fall in my own house, and couldn;t get up, could not push through my hand wrists and shoulders, too much pain.

Family took me too ER, should not have had to dooo this.

Young Dr looked at my boxing glove hands, inability to make a fist, lack of ability to bend my wrists, and could not lift my arms to even brush my hair, and ordered a test that they are not supossed to do in Emergency.

ESR of 77, and CRP high 30's, both off the scale.

Six weeks later got a letter from the same hospital to visit the rheumo specialist, young Dr who saw me must have refered me, she has been my Dr ever since.

I have sero negative RA, also do not come back positive for Genetic Psorasis, but thats what she believes I have, under control Yes and No, but I don't ever think you entirly get over it, you learn to live with it and the drugs that keep it suppressed.