[julsie]

Just writing to say that I have finally gone private and I am seeing Dr.D'Cruz tomorrow.I am becoming increasingly worried because I feel this is my last chance to find out what is going on.My doctors referral letter is not great and focus's mainly on past periods of depression instead of all the other issues so I hope Dr. D'Cruz doesn't write it off as depression as soon as he reads it.Just want to thank you all for your support and I know I would have given up a long time ago had I not read about everyone else experiencing similar things ,
Julsie.

 

[Katharine]

Hi Julsie

I think it's quite normal to feel nervous after all you have been through. If I can just say one thing to reassure you - it seems that everyone here who has seen Dr D'Cruz has liked him and found him to be professional. I should think that they are quite used to seeing patients that others have often ignored (and that includes rather scant GP's letters).

I'm sure you have a list of your symptoms at the ready as well as any photos that you might have.

Sending all the best possible wishes and thoughts winging their way to you and...GOOD LUCK!

Katharine

 

[cath]

Hi Julsie,

I don't know Dr C personally, but from aal I've heard you are in safe hands. He will listen and look carefully, and whatever his conclusion, you can trust it:blush:

All the very best

Let us know how you get on:wink2:

X C X

 

[Viridian]

Hi Julsie!
:hug:

Just wanted to say good luck with tomorrow. I'll be in your shoes end of next month and it made me think what my referral will be like! The thing is, you are going to see one of the best in this field. I'm sure, from what I 've read that he will take everything into account, and treat you with the respect that you deserve. As has been mentioned, take everything with you - photos, letter, symptoms, blood results, and someone to support you if you can. Mention everything, no matter how 'silly' you feel.
Let us know how it goes (after you've rested from the journey ).

 

[BigSis]

It's been such a long journey Julesie.
#I wish you the very best.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Joandublin]

Hi Julsie

The very best of luck tomorrow and I hope you have a positive experience

Fingers and toes crossed

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[LolaLola]

Dear Julsie, Many patients go with very sarcastic referral letters, believe me he will not even blink at it. I know how you feel that there is a lot riding on this appt. I was in shreds before I saw him the first time. Believe me, you will be fine. But please hurry up and tell us how it went as I ,for one, will be waiting to hear!
x Lola

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Julsie,

In everything I have read it sounds like Dr. C gets sent all the tough to diagnose cases. Most likely they were all nervous also. Prior to going in take some slow deep breaths and think of your favorite vacation to help calm yourself.

Good luck :flower2:,
Lazylegs

 

[greenhaggis]

:flowery:Julsie,

Just wanted to say good luck, lots of deep breathing on route and remember your list of things wrong with you (try to forget your GPs one!!).

Its how to feel and your symptoms thats more important than your GP!

Good luck!

Hugs!

Lesley

 

[Maz0252]

Good Luck!!! Let us all know how you get on. ixiedust:

 

[Clare.T]

I expect you are en route now and I hope you have a smooth journey. It has stopped raining down here and looks like a fine, if chill day ahead. I believe that Dr D Cruz and his colleagues are among the best doctors in the world in every sense and endorse everything the others have said. So you can know that you have done the best possible for yourself, even if they dont feel able to diagnose.

I'm looking forward to hearing how it went

Cheers and hugs
Clare

 

[greenhaggis]

Julsie,

Hope you survived today okay!

Let us know how things went!

Hugs!

Lesley

 

[Aggie69]

Just writing to say that I have finally gone private and I am seeing Dr.D'Cruz tomorrow.I am becoming increasingly worried because I feel this is my last chance to find out what is going on.My doctors referral letter is not great and focus's mainly on past periods of depression instead of all the other issues so I hope Dr. D'Cruz doesn't write it off as depression as soon as he reads it.Just want to thank you all for your support and I know I would have given up a long time ago had I not read about everyone else experiencing similar things ,
Julsie.

Hi Julsie. Will be interested to hear how you get on with Dr D'Cruz as I will be seeing him in December. I hope you finally got some answers.

 

[julsie]

Saw Dr.D'Cruz.I thought he was a very nice man and Lola,you were right!he didn't blink at my G.p's letter.He took me seriously,which was nice.He said that I am displaying obvious lupus like symptoms but doesn't think it is full blown Lupus.That I may be one of the unfortunate few who's blood tests always come back negative.As I understood it,because of this he didn't give the diagnosis of Lupus but said I met the criteria for Sjogren's and that he would offer me plaquenil to see if that will help.
It hasn't sunk in yet really that after over twenty years of feeling absolutely rubbish,I finally have a doctor who will treat my symptoms and not treat me as a manic depressive.That I have the chance,at last,to maybe improve my quality of life which is all I wanted.I feel so sorry to anyone else who is/has been experiencing the same as me and can just say 'persist' and have faith in yourself.
By the way ladies,noone told me to put my best undies on!:blush:
Thank you all again for your good wishes and support,wouldn't have got here without you!
Julsie:grouphug2:

 

[greenhaggis]

Julsie,

Glad things did go okay and at least you have been prescribed Plaquenil for the Sjogerns! You must feel so relieved to be finally taken seriously.

Hope you were not wearing g-strings :rotfl:and didnt have hairy legs and armpits too:rotfl::lol:.

Lesley

 

[Viridian]

:excited:

I'm so happy for you! See? You weren't going mad! I wonder why your previous rheumy didn't spot the sjogrens? Maybe because he was an...., well, I cant say what I want to but you know what I mean! :lol:

If you dont mind me asking, how long was the appt? And did he take any more bloods? Curious because I'll be seeing him in Nov. Must remember nice knickers :lol: (and I will have hairy legs because I dont want to set another rash off, but no hairy armpits, Greenhaggis! )

I hope the plaquenil makes you feel better, and let's hope this sets your GP straight. Will Dr.D'Cruz write to your doc?

Anyway, :hug:

 

[Katharine]

Oh Julsie that's great!!
:excited:

I'm so happy for you and so understand that feeling of relief of finally having some acknowledgement for what's going on.

You mean to say that docs over there don't usually have you standing there in your undies? Here they always do, I mean every doc for the slightest reason... Only my GP doesn't but any specialist. Even for physio every week I end up in my underwear though, with the cold weather, I can now keep my T-shirt on!!

Katharine

 

[Clare.T]

Jolly good Julsie I am pleased that you have got validation. The Plaquenil will take some time to work, several months. For Sjogren's, it's said to take even longer to work so you will need topicals or pain relief. Do you happen to know what symptoms he took into account for the Sjogren's diagnosis?

Do you really mean you didn't anticipate a full examination, strip to underwear? It would not be a correct examination without. Sorry not to have mentioned it - it never crossed my mind !

Cheers
Clare

 

[LolaLola]

Dear Julsie,
I am so pleased for you!
Just for the record anyone seeing Dr. D'c. needs clean undies definitely and also any contact lens wearers may need to take specs. if there eyes are too sore for lenses after Shirmer's Tests. (paper strips in eyes)
x Lola

 

[BigSis]

I'm glad your appointment was successful.
I'm sure your undies were perfectly acceptable even if they weren't your best 'frillies':rotfl:

Glad for some appropriate treatment at last.