A New Arthritis Hell

[Dave Ward]

Dave,
sometimes there is no explanation for anomalies in tests - I can go for weeks, testing my blood sugar levels twice a day with hardly any variation, but then I'll suddenly get either a big rise/fall in results. You can sometimes pin it down to things like having a cold, or maybe eaten something ( or not ), away from your normal diet. Most times there is no explanation, you just have to keep an eye on it - after 24 years of diabetes, you get used to it!
Dave

[Flip]

Encouraging news Dave

[Miko]

Good to know the NHS is working for you, my experience hasn't always been good

Sounds like your managing ailments, now get back to the work bench! Pronto!! Ha!

Miko (healthy through risk aversion)

[davecov]

Last week I had a phone call from the hospital Rheumatology Specialist to say that they were very worried about my last set of blood tests. Not only am I anaemic but my white blood cell count is still very low too. I said that I was having a colonoscopy today (25th) which hopefully, would shed some light what is going on but alas, the colonoscopy didn't take place. Although I had taken the bowel preparation and fasted as directed, the doctor was unable to progress due to not having a clear enough route.

As that has happened twice in eight weeks, I said that I wouldn't like to do it for a third time. He said that it does happen quite a lot and he reassured me that they are going to arrange for a CT colonography instead. He said that should reveal exactly what is going on and he suspects polyps or a tumour.

I can recommence my iron tablets now (had to stop for a week prior to the colonoscopy) which may help my anaemia long-term. Another blood test is scheduled for next week and so the investigations go on and on and on!

My RA has almost been forgotten over the past few days but I am afraid that I am suffering a big flare-up at the moment, thanks to the weather. That has limited my modelling time again.

Dave

[Tim Marlow]

You’re really not getting the breaks at the moment are you Dave. Hope this gets progressed to your satisfaction.

[Miko]

Ouch! you are properly going through Hell!

Hopefully the law of averages will apply and you have a better outcome soon!

Miko

[Jim R]

Things are definitely not going well for you at the moment Dave. You are certainly due a change of fortune. I really hope you get some better news soon.

[Airborne01]

Sorry to hear this mate, though I'm sure you'll triumph with the willpower you've displayed to now!
Steve

[davecov]

At last I can report a bit of progress in that I finally had a CT Scan (colonography) yesterday. After two failed colonoscopies already in the last couple of months, it was a relief to finally get a procedure done. I now have to wait up to ten days to get the results. Hopefully, that will reveal just what is going on inside and they can untangle the web of symptoms caused by a host of illnesses I am suffering. The main thing is that I will know one way or another if there is a tumour, polyps, bleeding within a body cavity or nothing at all.

I was also told this week that I may have hypothyroidism. A blood sample was taken for a T3 (Triiodothyronine) test and while I am just in the lower end of the normal range, I will have another T3 test later this year. As for my RA, the flare ups are reducing during the day but night time is still a problem. Still, things are a big improvement on how I was when it was diagnosed last August. I am still waiting for an end to my anaemia so that I can start on the Sulphazalazine immuno-suppressors.

I now have the luxury of having just over two weeks without needing a visit to my health centre or the hospital. Aileen and I are going away to Dunkeld next week for a break. It is a place we have been to a few times and by the time I get back home again I should have the results of the CT scan.

Dave

[Jim R]

Mixed news Dave but things do seem to be moving in the right direction. Once you get a diagnosis the doctors can introduce a treatment. Enjoy your break, it will do you good and you deserve it

[boatman]

SO Very sorry jen an i are to hear of all your probs Dave an we send best wishes to you sir for a recovery soon an enjoy yourself out with your lady freind next week
jen an chrisb

[Airborne01]

...enjoy yourself with your Lady Friend ... disgraceful comment Sirrah! Let's not forget the ethos of this site!
Steve

[Andy T]

I missed the post about your (failed) colonoscopy. Having been through the process, and a colonography, you have my sympathy.

I have diverticular desease and there is something else going on that they aren't clear on, but they have been unable to reach the area of concern (apologies to the squeamish)

Have a great time on your break and fingers crossed for the results.

[Tim Marlow]

That’s good news Dave. Glad you are finally getting some progress. Enjoy your break and try not to think about this too much.

[davecov]

It has been two and a half weeks since I had a colonography and I have been waiting for the results to arrive. I was in my village health centre this morning giving yet another blood sample and collecting more tablets, so I asked if my results were in. They were not, which was disappointing.

However, tonight my GP phoned to say that he had found out my results by logging into the hospital system. According to the results, there is nothing of concern down below, with "no lumps, bumps or tumours". To say that is a relief is bit of an understatement and although I had always hoped that I would get the all-clear from the colonography, there was a dark cloud hanging over everything I did. Having said that, my GP and I are still waiting for the official news from the hospital consultant.

I am still awaiting the blood results from the hospital's haematologist as well which hopefully will reveal the cause of the anaemia that I am suffering. Hopefully, once the anaemia is dealt with, I can finally start taking the Sulphasalazine immuno-suppressors for my Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Some good news - for months I had been on Naproxen before my upper endoscopy eight weeks ago, but that caused some irritation on my stomach lining so my GP replaced it with Etoricoxib. He says that I no longer need to take that daily and we are going to see if I can do without it completely in due course.

Finally, I have a three-monthly Type 2 Diabetes review this Thursday and as I have been in remission for almost six months now, it is no longer a worry for me. I will have another review in October.

All in all, good news but I still have the big problem of dealing with lots of builds that have stalled over the past few weeks! Mind you, I know that I am not alone in having that particular problem!

Dave