Waiting for the blood test

Hello Mrs O,

I am having the blood test at the local GP Practice as the nearest hospital is 14 miles away.

I would happily drive to the hospital but this wasn't suggested.

I am taking Ibuprofen every four hours which dulls things a bit but I had to ask my daughter to come put air in my tyres as I just couldn't and with the icy roads and expected snow, I wanted to be sure I was safe.

In three hours time, heavy snow is expected so getting to work tomorrow will be challenging! LOL.

Lizzie Ellen,

I have only just seen your post, so sorry if you thought I was ignoring you.

I will see what the weather conditions are tomorrow and consider calling the Practice to see if I can go to the hospital. My other concern about doing that is having to drive so far having fasted for 12 hours, especially in ice and snow.

I am probably just being weak and feeble - which isn't really me!

Hi Tilly, can I just add a word in defence of [i:e332d3c2ba]not [/i:e332d3c2ba]taking steroids? I was diagnosed with pmr at 51 and put on 15mg pred. Once I read up on them I was hugely traumatised by the thought of being on them long term. They basically bring on all the effects of aging, and with a young son and having always kept myself trim and fit (ish) I could not bear the thought of this happening. Due to other symptons my rheumy took me off them after 3 months to check other things, all so far showing nothing. So, no other diagnosis yet, after nearly 18months. I haven't gone back on the steroids, and take diclofenac sodium. This is an anti-inflam and keeps me just about going. It's better than the ibuprofen (not strong enough) and the naproxen (severe constipation) and I have two-monthly blood tests to check on everything. I do seem to have fluctuating blood pressure (I have a BP monitor at home, £15 Boots) and I'm about to book a GP appt to discuss that. If I miss taking it one day by the next I can hardly raise my arms again and the muscle aches start kicking in all over again. But it is improving. Slowly.

I think you need to bear in mind that a lot of people on this site are people with quite severe symptons/disease. PMR does vary. Try googling 'polymyalgia mild' and you'll find a bunch of information there to help you decide. Best of luck.

Hi Tilly - hopefully if you call the Practice tomorrow and tell them you are suffering and wondering about going to the hospital, they will bring your blood test forward themselves! It's worth a try! Meanwhile keep warm and well wrapped up and keep in touch. Lots of warm wishes.

MrsO

Hi Wallis and Mrs O.

Thanks to you both.

Mrs O, I was supposed to work today but security closed the building so I had a call early this morning telling me not to come in. My London meeting tomorrow has been cancelled due to the weather and lack of trains betwenn here and the capital.

I can't get out of my driveway as I have 15 inches of snow and it hasn't stopped snowing since 19.00 last night. I would have to get out there with a spade to free the garage door of snow before I could open it. Am I going to do that? Er . . . no. LOL.

Only one neighbour has managed to get out and he has a huge BMW 4 x 4 which he leaves in the drive! Lucky him. He didn't venture far though as as he was back in twenty minutes.

I did intend to call today to try to bring my blood test forward but the fates have conspired against me. Nevertheless, I do appreciate all your advice and suggestions. Were it not for the snow and subsequent problems, I would have taken your advice.

Wallis, I found your post most interesting. As I am managing to keep going, albeit with varying degrees of difficulty (plus pure determination and bloody-mindedness!) and some days when I hardly move, I may well have PMR Light or, more likely, PMR variable! Who knows? We all react differently to illness and all respond differently to pain and painkillers. I certainly don't have what my GP thinks is stiffness and pain on rising and fine the rest of the day!!! I suffer ALL day and most of the night!

I have been working from home until now so haven't yet had the opportunity to Google PMR Mild but I will go and make some tea in a few minutes and then see what I can find.

This site is a godsend and I am so glad I found you all.

I hope everyone is managing in the snow and staying safe and warm.

Tilly

Hello everyone.

At last I have had the blood test - it was last Thursday and I managed to get through the ice and snow for the test but not to work that day.

Getting there for 08.00 was a test of determination as the weather was foul and so were my muscles at that hour!

How long does it take for the results to come through?

I am reading as much as I can about PMR and trying to think of what I will say if the blood tests are either inconclusive or rule out PMR.

My GP said PMR, scouring this site, I think I have PMR but things have taken so long that I am now quite anxious about everything.

Tilly

Hi

How old are you?

I am 44 and I have found that my ESR has gone from 48 down to 30 just of late and although the pain is there, as long as I keep to my routine all is fine - going out late is not good and I've found is not worth it. I keep to a routine, I work full time and I don't take steriods. I feel that reading the site that the younger you are hopefully it will burn out in 2-3 years but everyone is an individual with varying levels of pain and limbs effected.

I have found that if i have a bad day and just take it easy I get so stiff with pain I am no worse off just keeping going - you must not overdo anything though - silly jobs like washing the car, I just can't do, yet I work full time, I am a mum and walk two dogs twice a day which I love doing. When I'm doing that it's fine, if I sit too long, for me anyway, it makes me worse so a little and often and if you find a job makes you bad, then just don't do it.

It has helped me a great deal in showing my husband what people say to me in reply to my postings as it shows him there are others out there, many of whom are much worse off than me and all of which need help in speaking out and telling how they make it better. It doesn't suit everyone but there will be something you can take from it but it's trial and trial again to find the balance.

My big macho husband has even swapped his big old squirrel killing 4x4 for a smart car so when I'm bad I have a small automatic to drive - I can't believe it - I'm gonna make him a tee shirt that says `Eco Warrier'. Our friends don't believe it but this forum has helped him realise it really hurts and effects loads of us. That of course along with the ability to tow it behind his motorhome might have helped !!!!! A good pain free wish to you all xx :D

Tills and Carol

www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk has diagnostic procedures, guidelines from the British Society of Rheumatologists issued June 2009 and loads of other stuff.

But keep coming back to this site.

I am now going to google pmr mild as I have never come across this one before. Live and Learn from this site.

Hello Tilly - at last you've had your blood test......and the snow has cleared! As to how long it takes to get the results, these days this is generally a very fast procedure and if you ring your GP tomorrow I'm sure he/she will have the results. If not, then within a week at the most. I'm sure you do feel anxious and sort of in limbo at the moment which is understandable, but keep in touch and I'm sure one or other of us will be able to offer some reassurance on different worries.

Mrs O, Mrs K and Mrs B,

Thank you all for your support.

I took your advice Mrs O and have just called the surgery. What I heard amazed me.

First of all, I am told the test results are taking ages to come back from the hospital.

Secondly, as the doctors all work part-time, the commissioning doctor has to 'release' the results before they can be viewed by their secretary. This could take days depending on their contracted work days.

Thirdly, all the secretary can do is confirm that the results have been received but cannot reveal any information - even, in cases like mine, where the diagnosis has already been given and the blood tests confirmatory only.

Grumpy Tilly

Tills

You do live in the UK, and if you do live in the UK has your area opted out of the NHS? Has your practice heard of Computers?

Its unbelievable in 2010 that this sort of thing is taking place.

I would make an appointment with the Practice Manager.

Or, wait till you see the GP and tell him you want it noted that when you ring up for a result of the blood test, with regard to ESR and CRP - it is noted on your file, that you are an adult and well able to handle the information.

Or, and I say this relunctantly - find another practice, go interview the Practice Manager, see what there set up is and move.

I get my blood test with the Practice Nurse, it goes off to the Hospital, the hospital do there thing and put the result in my file and automatically send an email to the GP. Both the Consultant and the GP can access the result. I then ring up and as my file is noted - I am given the result. If the GP, when he reads the result is not happy, the surgery rings me and tells me - GP wants to see you and we then make an appointment. Saves their time and mine.

Tilly - I'm not surprised you feel grumpy, having waited an eternity just to get the blood tests and now face what appears to be another eternity in getting the results. You must have patience in bucket-loads which is just as well as you can do without the extra stress on top of the pain you are suffering. At least the Ibuprofen is giving you some relief meanwhile. Mrs K has said it all, so I'll just say lots of love and hugs and, if you feel like screaming, just come and offload here!

Mrs K has certainly said it all !!! I cannot always get a blood test at my surgery if I want it quickly My Doctor always gives me a form to take with me and if I want either a monthly one between my 2 monthly Surgery blood test and Drs appointment I can phone either the local Hospital for one the next day or sometimes I go to my nearest walk in one at Southampton General Hosp about 12 miles away and normally there I am straight in and out My Dr will be able to access this the next day If I dont have an appointment she will normally ring me or if she isnt there I dscuss it with the practice nurse I can always ( so far ) get an appointent on the day with my Dr if I ring at 8am as they always keep some back for emergencies It is an excellent service but as far as I am concerned its a professional service which is what we should receive You do seem very unfortunate with your Surgery and I know it isnt always easy to change There is only one practice in my village so I am fortunate it is so good The only thing to do is make your feelings known and if it doesnt improve find out who is next up the chain to complain to Dont give up why should you suffer due to their inefficiency Good Luck

Tills,

I can only reiterate Mrs. K Mrs. G and Mrs. O's experiences, so I really do think that your practice is letting you down badly. I can have a blood test at 10am and my consultant will have most of the results (certainly CRP and ESR) by 3pm. If she's not happy with them, she'll phone me that day. I do hope you get this sorted out soon, because trust me, you're not getting the attention you deserve or have a right to. Good luck.

Lizzie Ellen

Hi to all,

I live in one of the most prosperous parts of Surrey. I am beginning to think I live in a third world country.

I have been with the practice for 36 years. In the first 30 years, I had two doctors, one retired a young doctor took over and both were superb. Sadly, the young doctor moved on.

The practice is now staffed with part-timers and transient doctors. I have probably been there four times in the last six years and have seen a different doctor each time.

The doctor I saw who diagnosed PMR is new (and SO young!) and she seems interested. The last thing I want to do is upset someone to whom I haven't given a fair trial.

I [u:711b9bf0a5]will [/u:711b9bf0a5]take up the issue of being left in pain for such a long time and the unacceptable time taken to access the test results.

I suppose her response could be that no doctor would prescribe steroids until the blood test conformed PMR.

I will call tomorrow and each day until I hear!

I never thought I would say this but I am beginning to view steroids in a different light!