"rheumatoid arthritis treatment"

I have been very disappointed with the Direct Access system.

I have seen a nurse only for the last 5  years, filling in a form which does not seem to differentiate between normal, able-bodied & bed-ridden - surely there is a middle ground between 'normal' and 'can walk up 3 steps', and ''normal' and 'cannot cut up food', and 'normal' and 'can get dressed by myself''?

My GP refused to discuss my condition with me, referring me to Direct Access - who have had 4 different phone numbers & 4 different 2-hour weekly slots when you can leave a message (not call) over the last few years. Fine, but I work at home and cannot always answer the call-back.

At my recent appointment with Direct Access (a nurse) I was advised to use Ibuprofen gel or acupuncture for neck pain. I asked to see a doctor, was told there wasn't one (!) I was in great pain and unable to do much.

An appointment with a consultant at NH materialised very quickly. Here I was examined, for the first time, and taken seriously. The consultant was horrified that I had not been seen by a doctor for 5 years!

He found problems from my blood tests which had not been picked up by anyone, defined my issues with my neck, diagnosed cervical spondylosis, water on the knees, and prescribed treatment which, after 1 DAY ONLY has made me feel normal again!

He also arranged a blood test & x-ray within one hour.

I found this amazing, and am astonished that I was not treated some time before. I wonder how many other people have not been treated and have ended up, as the NHS seems to expect, in a care home?

But I thank that specialist whole-heartedly and will be forever grateful