"I feel hopeful and uplifted by my treatment"

I was referred to the Rheumatology Department at Lincoln County hospital with suspected rheumatoid arthritis. I already had one auto-immune disease, myasthenia gravis, which made my muscles weak, so to have pain, acute tiredness and sore eyes as well, was making my life a misery.

The consultant confirmed the RA diagnosis and prescribed a temporary relief treatment of steroids plus other medication, which he jokingly said was a BOGOF offer since, being an immunosuppressant, it would also help with the MG. He then referred me to a neurologist who would also help oversee the treatment. Real joined up thinking and treatment! !

I was next put under the supervision of a nurse who gave me a number to contact her at any time. The treatment began and I needed her advice quite a lot, since the medication gave me quite a lot of side effects. I was never left to suffer and she soon organised the drug to be delivered by injection, which improved matters. . I received training on how to do this and follow up calls from her. My Care Coordinator at my local surgery also kept an eye on me via frequent phone calls. My drugs are delivered to my door when I need them and a regimen of fortnightly blood tests ensures my body is responding and tolerating the drug.

In the meantime my myasthenia went into remission and I was able to get about better than I had done for the past 20 years.

Both diseases are incurable and potentially fatal but I feel hopeful and uplifted by my treatment. This is the NHS at its best. WELL DONE! !