Hello everyone
i have just got my referral letter through and have a choice of 3 hospitals I can go to in Manchester, England, for my suspected RA symptoms. I am sure treatment boils down to individuals but having had a tricky time with various doctors disagreeing about what is happening to me just to get to this point, I am a little bit once bitten, twice shy and don't want to just choose the nearest hospital, but the one with the best reputation in this field. This is all new to me and I wondered if anyone had any tips on quick research I could do before making my choice. I wan to try and book as soon as possible obviously. Thanks in advance and best wishes.
Depending on the way RA is described to doctors, how does one know whether it is RA or Fibromyalga?
Good that you have a choice of 3 hospitals. I would go for the one where there is the shortest waiting time for an appointment - as from what I gather, the sooner you start treatment the better and if it's within 3 months from diagnosis, there's a good chance of remission.
I don't know if it boils down to individuals.....I have seen a different consultant on each appointment to date.
Proximity to my home and workplace is one advantage of going to the clinic at the local hospital as it's good not to have a long trek for appointments, also at the moment for fortnightly blood tests.
That's a good point Anne, five weeks in and I'm almost walking unaided, there is a lot to be said for local. Unfortunately my local hospital has a poor reputation and I've never been happy when I've been for other things, but do need to think practically. My decision may well be swayed by waiting lists though, I want to start working towards a diagnosis ASAP. Thanks 