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Subject: Finally Getting Somewhere with the NHS
Hi All, Just stumbled across this forum, for the past 3 years since sustaining whiplash on an amusement park ride I have suffered with increasing pain, stiffness and loss of movement in my upper body parts. RA is within my family history and my grandmother also suffered from severe curvature of the spine. It has taken me 3 years to get anywhere with the NHS, I have seen GP's numerous times who sent me for 1 xray and prescribed ibubroufen and paractemaol (dont work whatsoever!) and basically told me to deal with it. Being 22 I dont think I should have to put up with the constant sharp pain that radiates down my neck and into my collar bones and shoulder blades, that makes my posture hunched and causes my hands to go numb when I sleep.
I have also started to experience problems with my elbows in the last year which causes them to seize up so that I cannot straighten my arms without feeling physically sick (plus the excruciating pain) for weeks on end!. Along with all of this my hands are becoming more and more stiff to the point I find it hard to open any bottles/jars etc or to squeeze my shampoo or toothpaste tubes! I also have to get my partner to help me undress, get out of the bath, reach for things, carry things aswell as wash and tie up my hair for me (when my mobility is really bad). Its quite scary as I am only 22, finally recently my new GP listened to my plea for further investigation and referred me for blood tests and to attend the local MusculoSkeletal Assessment Service that is near to me. My bloods came back indicating elevated Rheumatoid Factor.
Since my musculoskeletal appointment with an advanced physiotherapist practitioner I have had multiple shoulder and neck xrays as well as an xray on my elbow (which was "unstraightenable" at the time of appt),
I am also waiting on an MRI scan. I am due to see a rheumatologist on 8th January, extremely glad that I am finally getting somewhere, annoyed it has taken so long to get even this far, but just hoping that this rheumy appt doesnt dissapoint me!. I may not even have RA but I sure do want some kind of answer to why I have so many problems!. Does anyone have any advice for my first rheumy appt? or any advice for what to do for my symptoms? (tried most over the counter things as well as yoga) but open to suggestions :) Many thanks for reading, feels good to have written this down somewhere, secretly pretty scared about the possibility of having RA! Regards
Rachel
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