I had my 3 month check up today. It was very busy so I had to wait almost 45 minutes to be seen and I forgot to bring a book which left me having to stare at things/people in the waiting room the whole time. I like to get in and out of there as quickly as possible because to be honest the place depresses me. I'm always the youngest person there, occasionally there is someone in their 30s or 40s but it's mostly middle aged or elderly ladies. I know they must have young patients too but in the 10 or so times I've been to the clinic I've never seen one! A lot of people shuffle about or use walking sticks and some have visible deformities.
I don't like going there because it scares me.
I also don't like going there because they weigh me every time and today they informed me that I have put on 3kg since october!! Stupid Christmas weight. I resolved to sort that out but then I was so depressed from being in the hospital that I had to buy some chocolate to cheer myself up. It's a vicous circle, I tell you!
Anyway, I didn't get to see Dr A, I guess because it was so busy. I had a young, pretty registrar instead which was nice! She said the same thing as Dr A, that it's not too clear if I need methotrexate or not. I am in a good prognostic category and I dont have any swelling just now but there is intermittent activity (like the mad pointer finger in dec) so obviously it's not all under control. What they're gonna do is send me for new x-rays since it's been a year since the last ones. If there's any change at all they'll stick me on mtx. If there's nothing and my symptoms continue as they are then we'll probably just wait...and see.
So I have to go back and get an xray at some point before my next check up in May. I'd be quite surprised if there was any change in my xrays since I havent had a great deal of pain/swelling but I know it is possible for that to happen.
So yeah.. long rambling post. But in summary - hospital waiting rooms are evil, I need to lose 3kg, I can still drink until at least May and I have to get zapped by the radioactive machine again. Overall...alright I suppose.
Overall, it sounds like you're doing pretty well, Squirrel. But I DO understand the undercurrent of impatience I feel in your post. It's so hard to go to the doctor only to discover that they can't just FIX us, isn't it? It's hard to accept and hard to explain to others, as well. But rheuma is just one of those diseases they can't fix, yet, so the only thing left is to do what we can and hang on to hope.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're doing relatively well and feeling mostly good. Those are both precious gifts. :)
It does really suck being someone so young with this disease. I hated waiting rooms, too, always wondering if that was my future. I used to take warm water physio classes and one of the instructors thought I was another instructor as there was at least a 20 year age difference between me and the other participants. Sigh. Don't even get me started on weight gain! I might not shut up :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Wren, I think you're right - I still can't quite believe I have to keep going to that place for the rest of my life. I even said that to the doctor yesterday! But I am very thankful I have somewhere to go and access to good healthcare. I hope you're feeling a bit better too?
ReplyDeletePony, I have to say I laughed out loud about the pool thing! Probably just as embarassing for the instructor making the mistake though!! Oh dear.. :)
I am 43 (maybe considered "old" by some in our blogging community) but I am always the youngest one in the office I go to also and it freaks me out. I see elderly folks coming into the office walking super slow and it scares the pants off me too. That is one of the reasons I have anxiety when going to the rheumatologist. They have finally taken down all the scary posters of deformed joints in the patient rooms which I greatly appreciate. I felt like I was moving from one horror movie to another. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are doing well and hope that the xrays are good and you can stay off methotrexate as long as possible....maybe even forever!
Wow, Cathy..pics of deformed joints in the waiting room? I know doctors have to be realistic, but that's hardly creating a positive outlook amongst the patients! Glad they've taken those away!
ReplyDeleteAt 43 you can still be in my 'hip young un's' club ;) don't worry! As long as I don't see any blue rinse hairstyles or over the knee woolen skirts!!
Greetings from Southern California, USA
ReplyDeleteI added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
God Bless You, ~Ron :-)
Besides the interesting people in the waiting room, the posters in the exam rooms always make me anxious. When they are taking an extremely long time to get around to me, I start to read the posters about hand deformities and drug interactions, etc, which tend to scare me. Why can't they post something pleasant and cheery? Even if it's cheesy, it would be better than what they have.
ReplyDeleteAnd the pool thing - I went to an arthritis swim class at the local pool. There was at least a fifty year age difference between me and everyone else there. They seemed to enjoy the youthful addition to the class though and asked me quite a few questions about Jersey Shore and American Idol. All I could do was laugh, which happens a lot lately!