Had my 1st rhuemy app

[lisamaria]

Hi all,

I had my 1st rhuemy app on Wednesday and it went very well.
He listened to everything I had to say, read all my notes, checked all my joints and done blood tests (ana, esr, c3, c4 to name a few)

He asked me the last time I really felt well and in good health. My honest answer was 1995 before I had my appendix removed (they burst in '95 when I was 18 weeks pregnant). He is organising a bed in hospital for me to go in and have some tests done problibly in 2 weeks time. He said he will find whatever is going on asap and get me on meds so Im so happy and so positive (for a change).

He is such a lovely man and I have confidence in him after one app, i think im lucky to have found him.

Thank you to everyone for your advise and encouragement.
Hugs
Lisa style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif

[Clare.T]

Such good news ! Let's hope you can soon find out what's going on and start treatment. It makes all the difference to have a doctor one likes

Is this the fellow you saw privately ? I am nosey I know but in case it helps anybody else in a similar situation, I'm wondering if subsequent tests, treatment and so on , such as a hospital stay, would be on the public scheme.

All the best

Clare

[lisamaria]

Hi Clare,
dont worry your not nosey at all. Yes I saw him privately.
I am attending a hospital in south Dublin and there has been no rhuemy there for over 2 years so there is a huge back log of patients. He told me the hospital were making apps for him even before he started his post there and at the moment is trying to take on another rhuemy but the public waiting list there at the moment is 2 years.
I did ring other hospitals and their wait is between 6 months and a year depending on the referal letters and blood test reports.

I have vhi so he told me that he would go through them to cover the cost of my stay and tests. He did ask me if I had insurance before deciding to admit me so at least he was thinking about how much it would cost me.

I had to leave my job in april because i was missing so much time I am a personal assistant for disabled people and cant do my job anymore to the standards that my clients need. I guess thats whats hurts me the most as I love my work.

I know money talks but I dont think this Dr would be any different if I was a public patient he seemed so genuine (I hope anyway)

Take Care
Lisa

[halfpintfl]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hi Lisa, welcome,welcome,welcome, I am jumping for joy over
your good luck. I am so very happy for you. We will all wait patiently
and when the two weeks is up, please come and share your news with us.
We all have our fingers crossed for you and send you good hugs and
wishes. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rotfl.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif


Be well and keep posting. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif

[joirish]

Hi Lisa
Welcome from the Rebel County!!

Glad to see another Irish person on the website. You seem to have meet the right Rheumy, just want to wish you all the best and hope the appointment for the hosptial comes soon.
The Irish health system can work well sometimes if you meet the right doc and it sounds like you have.

GOOD LUCK will check website to c how u get on
Jo
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[Joandublin]

Hi Lisa!

Give that rheumy a medal style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif We Irish are a bit of a minority here but nonetheless this site has given us a connection that will last for a long time style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

Best of luck with the in-patient process. It is so comforting to know that someone, somewhere knows their job! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Keep in touch
Luv n stuff
Joan style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif