Hi, I have my first rheumatology appointment next week, suffering lots of symptoms, been put on Naproxen by GP. Is it a good idea to come off these (only helped a bit) before my appointment so that they can see the problem in its true light or carry on taking them?
My rheumy advised only paracetamol - but that s alongside meds he prescribed.
but I understand why you re asking as naproxen is an anti inflammatory painkiller so your GP has been trying to reduce the inflammation a bit. I guess it s your choice. They will no doubt ask if you are taking anything. If you re suffering lots of symptoms it will be clinically evident despite naproxen .
are you taking a friend with you? There's a lot to take in on the first visit.
If the Naproxen helps only a bit, you would know to describe the location(s) of aching and the type of pain. And with RA you will probably have clinical proofs (slightly deformed/swallen joints, blood tests, x-Rays, etc.). You may reduce the painkiller just to see how you are coping with pain, but I am not sure that you gave to... Why don't you call the clinic and ask the nurse what to do? Good luck!
Hi, my X-rays and blood tests came back negative, much to the surprise of my GP, since my first appt it has spread all the way across hands, up past elbows and now knees, but as I am currently sero-negative I know it is more difficult to diagnose, taken pics and videos and kept a diary but think if I come of meds it will be easier for them to see what's going on?
Hi, yes, my husband is coming, I'm just scared of missing out something and being told to come back in 3 months etc, my gut feeling tells me it is RA and although I don't want it, at least if I get it diagnosed earlier I can start getting my head round it instead of waiting months and months to know what's wrong with me!
Ask about fibromialgia. Ask about osteoarthritis. There are over 300 types of arthritis. RA is the easiest to diagnose... Good luck...
Absolutely!
i kind of thought I had it too before I was diagnosed 2 half years ago. It takes some adapting to but I definitely felt the more informed I could be the more positive I could be. If it is RA they will start to treat it early and aggressively , which is the current approach, but it varies from individual to individual how quickly they find what works for you.
mine was severe and I ended up on a biologic 9 months later which has worked brilliantly for me. Others respond to the first drug that is tried.
i do hope you get some answers when you go. All the best.
Cheers, all the best!