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Referral to a rhuematologist

Posted , 14 users are following.

susan32767
susan32767

i have never been referred to see a rhuematologisti in the four years that I have suffered with PMR I am just under my doctor.  Is anyone else in same position?

1 like, 48 replies

48 Replies

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  • Silver49
    Silver49 susan32767

    Posted

    I have not been referred to a rheumatologist but very happy with my GP who took bloods and all fine. Discussed PMR and prednisolone and although my markers have dropped he knew that doesn't necessarily mean the inflammation has gone. I think I am fortunate as he spent time working out what I needed for my prescription. He also mentioned that the festive period may be more difficult for reducing. He is so helpful. I don't feel I need a rheumatologist. 
  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK susan32767

    Posted

    Same position, only under my GP.  PMR 18 months and now at 4.5 mg from 30 mg.
    • Elijo
      Elijo Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      I'm so glad to hear all of he above comments about rheumys and GP's, so I want to sick with my internist.  He did a good job of dx it when he puit me on a trial 6 day pack of decreasing doses of prednisone; I told him the first day when I took 24 mg. I was able to move so much better by the time the evening came.  He listened!!!  Even although my ESR was near normal.  Thank God!  I can function again and feel great!
  • susan91476
    susan91476 susan32767

    Posted

    Not me!  As soon as it was absolutely clear that I had PMR, my GP referred me to a rheumatologist - like he couldn't get rid of me fast enough! 
    • constance.de
      constance.de susan91476

      Posted

      Do you blame him?  Even 3/4 of the Rheumies would probably like to refer you to someone else!!!  They just don't seem to "get"  PMR.  It's such a silly little illness.😡😡 They  would rather deal with the patients who have "real" pain!   Grrrrr!
  • faye______00403
    faye______00403 susan32767

    Posted

    I'm backtracking but when I think back over 2 years ago.   GP

    diagnosed but sent me for second opinion to Rheumy I think about

    the fact that neither one of them  warned me about GCA.....If that had

    presented in me I would have had no idea what to do or where to go.

    Now that I know you can lose your sight I'm horrified that neither

    mentioned it....did anyone get a head's up from anyone?

  • steve_1
    steve_1 susan32767

    Posted

    Another sad tale to tell. My older brother had PMR before I went down with it and he was refered to a Rhuemy straight off who said treatment is needed for about 15 months and sure enough the preds had been tapered down to zero within that time frame. That was 2 or so years ago and he's still suffering.

    Back in the spring this year he finally got the Rhuemy to do a reassessment which realy only involved blood tests and as they showed negative PMR was written out of the equation....it will be something else.

    To me his symptoms spell PMR with or without the bloods, to his wife the symptoms are not realy any different to as they were when he was first diagnosed and to him it's just the same and hurts just as much. Of course, we must be wrong because the expert doesn't agree. Another expert opinion is almost impossible to get without a great deal of money and even then I would expect some closing of ranks as they all use and share the same NHS facilities.

    Meanwhile the suffering goes on.

    EXPERTS....EX as in has been and SPERT as in a drip under pressure.

    • EileenH
      EileenH steve_1

      Posted

      Then if he has "PMR without bloods" he needs to insist on further investigation. PMR is a diagnosis of exclusion, you exclude all the other - far nastier - things that can cause the symptoms and when you get to the end of that then you try pred if you haven't already done so. If that works at a moderate dose - you acccept that. Or not - as we see. If it isn't PMR then it is something else.

      Fifteen months is a piece of nonsense and that rheumy is wrong (as we all know). However - if he's has the sort of pain and disability we all know about he needs at least the symptoms to be managed. If there another hospital he can be referred to where he stands a chance of getting a different rheumatologist? Or another GP in the practice? Another GP practice he could transfer to? Technically it is allowed since the beginning of 2015. It is always worth asking. I did it years ago in the face of an intransigent senior partner GP. It was the best move I ever made.

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