Arthritis?

[Dave Rice]

I have an appointment with the Rheumatology nurses on the 24th and on going with the heart team. They are of the opinion that any possible side effects of the medications are outweighed by the benefits. The tweak to my heart medications has had the desired effect on my heart rate without affecting my blood pressure so I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt at the moment.

I can’t say I’m looking forward to the anti-TNF injections but they have consulted with the heart team when choosing what to use. I just hope it can stop things flaring up as it has been pretty bad lately but thankfully has been leaving my eyes alone. The Eye Hospital signed me off last week and the heart team hope to by the end of March, so cross fingers!

[PlaneMan]

Had a phone call from the dealership about 15.30 this afternoon, they bagged the last UK car in the spec/colour I wanted and it’s due late Monday/ early Tuesday. About 3 hours later had an email from Motability confirming the phone call.

I’m picking up 9 am Wednesday. not ideal as I have my second vaccination at 12.30 and the vaccination centre car park is tight. Otherwise it was Friday. That ain’t going to happen.

[JayCeeDee]

Dave Rice wrote:

The Eye Hospital signed me off last week and the heart team hope to by the end of March, so cross fingers!

Good luck, Dave – here’s hoping!!🤞🤞

[JayCeeDee]

PlaneMan wrote:

I’m picking up 9 am Wednesday. not ideal as I have my second vaccination at 12.30 and the vaccination centre car park is tight. Otherwise it was Friday. That ain’t going to happen.

That’ll give you a chance to play with some of the new gadgets!! Stay safe and drive safe!!👍👍

[JayCeeDee]

PlaneMan wrote:

not ideal as I have my second vaccination at 12.30 and the vaccination centre car park is tight.

Chasing up the second AZ jab for the wife and myself – I’m really waiting for “full coverage” so we can get on with life again!!

[PlaneMan]

JayCeeDee wrote:

That’ll give you a chance to play with some of the new gadgets!! Stay safe and drive safe!!👍👍

 

Thanks JCD.

[PlaneMan]

Just had a date through for my shoulder ultrasound, just over a fortnight to go. Still nothing about my hip.

New blue badge also turned up which is handy as the old one expires on Thursday.

[PlaneMan]

Got the new car today, painless apart from when the keys didn’t work.

The car valeter got them mixed up with a Fiesta. And had gone on a break and left the premises. One quick phone call and the correct ones were located.

It’s a brilliant car, I’ll have to be a bit cautious with it though as it doesn’t feel as fast as my Swift Sport was but it is when your up and moving. It’s also more planted at motor way speeds as the Swift was super light, under a ton, so would get buffeted by strong winds.

It handles very well, maybe as good as my Swift Sport, which surprised me. The app is handy but a bit sluggish at times. Not bothered with the on board WiFi as the Vodafone bundles are a con and I usually have my Mi Mix 3 5G boradband phone with me when I’m out and about so the car is using that hotspot instead. And that’s 5G, the onboard is 4G.

[Dave Rice]

Had my first meeting with the Rheumatology nursing team today. I thought it was to start the medication but it was just paperwork. Apparently I should have had two assessments before we got here. Anyway it is as I thought, the medication will supress my immune system to such an extent I’ll be carrying hand wash even when covid is over. Any sign of any infection, no matter how small, I’ll have to consult the team and probably stop the meds.

I have the choice of starting the medication soon or waiting until after my second Pfizer jab and giving that time to do it’s job. Wait a second, I’m under a hospital team why is this an issue? Just give me the jab surely? If it’s AZ no can do, full stop. As it’s Pfizer it may be possible but the consultant will have to sign it off. FFS.

So I said no way am I missing my second jab. I have lived with pain for many years and it isn’t going to kill me, covid with a suppressed immune system on the other hand. Also the way things are going if you haven’t had your jabs a lot of doors are going to be closed. She looked at me like I was mad.

So, when we get around to it it’ll be a weekly self administered jab for 5 weeks then monthly, assessment at 4 months. Chances of it working 30% but there is a Plan B.

[PlaneMan]

Dave, I wish you luck with the injections. For the first time when I did mine yesterday (mine are weekly on a Thursday) it really bloody hurt. I’m putting it down to having the 2nd Covid vaccination the day before.

 

[Dave Rice]

Can’t say I’m looking forward to them! But if they can stop the inflammation it’ll be worth it.

[PlaneMan]

If yours are anything like mine the anticipation is worse than the actual injection.

I was amazed how painless they were after the nurse led training.

[PlaneMan]

Had ultrasound scans on both shoulders this afternoon.

Some fluid around the joints but according to the Doctor that was pulled in for a second opinion ‘just within normal range’ and a torn rotator cuff on the left shoulder. Again. Last had that about 2 years ago, physio ‘cured’ it but it’s always been rough.

Ryan , if you read this and you need to go to the Heath, check parking before you go. It’s a bloody nightmare there now. I had to park opposite the A+E in the multi storey, luckily bagged a disabled spot on the ground floor but it’s a long way for a broken person from there to radiology. And back. I’m totally knackered and in loads of pain now.

[Tippon]

Thanks Nolan 🙂

I’ve been going every four weeks for the last two years or so, I seem to be in the middle of a flare up that’s not behaving. I’ve been lucky in that we get there before visiting starts, so can usually get a place on the ground floor. If I’ve been really bad though, I’ve had to get Ellen to drop me off around the back of the hospital so that I can cut through while she goes to park. I’m quite lucky that the renal clinic is near the doors, otherwise I’d be screwed on a bad day.

[PlaneMan]

Now have a hip MRI on Tuesday.

Also need surgery on my knackered left shoulder according to the rheumatologist. Need to wait for that surgeon to get involved now.

[PlaneMan]

Saw the rheumatologist this morning and he examined my shoulders and the ultrasound results and was of the opinion that my left shoulder does need surgery and my right is slowly getting worn out. He did give me a steroid injection in then left shoulder to try and ease the pain but if the ones I’ve had in my hip are anything to go by I’m not hopeful.

My MRI results weren’t available yet so he’s going to chase them up and write to me with the outcome. Again I’m not hopeful as the pain in the right one is terrible and the left is getting worse.

[Bob Williams]

Guys I know you are both suffering, but imagine having to deal with terminal cancer, concurrent with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Some days I don’t know which bit hurts most! Besides my usual antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, I am on 50mcg Longtec (long lasting) Morphine every 12 hours, with a 10mcg quick acting every 4 hours. I don’t know whether I am on the floor or the ceiling. And having two b****y great drainage bags hanging from open wounds, doesn’t help. I get nurses twice a day, who are simply great. They come between 5 and 7 pm to connect me to TPM intravenous feed bags: I have not eaten anything since May 2020. There is no digestive equipment left. The nurse returns between 5 and 7 am to remove the TPM, which lives in a wheeled buggy.

My missus has been golden and looks after me very well. How did I ever find such a basically good wife?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

Bob, I’m not complaining about my situation.

It is what it is. I’m very aware that there are lots of people worse off than me.

There are lots of people in a far better place than I am physically, mentally and neurologically.And lots worse off.

My point is, I have no point.

Bob, truly gutted for what you are going through.

How did get you’re wife? Sometimes good stuff happens to good people.

[Ed P]

I tried to reply yesterday, but the system ate it up without a trace.  There are two things I am sure of. First is that sympathy is the last thing that Bob wants, and second, I am really crap at giving sympathy!

I did however make a similar comment to PM’s with respect to your wife, she is not just ‘basically good, she is a golden nugget of a lady!

I hope that your g’son has a chance to look through all your many reminiscences. They give an insight on a different time that had its own challenges and periods of happiness. These are the sorts of tales that are missing from the history books, but bring a deep understanding of that era. My secondary school English teacher once plagiarised someone by pointing out that tales of the common people such as those in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales bring those people back to life once again. (especially the naughty bits of the Miller’s Tale!)

[Richard]

Bob, I am saddened at your situation, but slightly uplifted by your retention of a gutsy spirit. I am heartened by the obvious feelings between your wife and you and hope that is of comfort to the both of you. She is clearly a great example of a human being, a person and a wife, no praise for her is too much.

My absence, is driven by my wife’s Covid-19 and extended Covid-19 add-on, mobility problems earning a blue badge, though other infections are a concern. No names, no pack drill, but severe near fatal mental health issues affect a close family member.

PM, I know a hip injection can be useless, though sometimes, in other sites they help.

[Author]

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