Update on Health

I have just written to my rheumatologist and include it here as it explains my current position - one of optimism and confidence.

Dear Mark,

My apologies for missing my 2pm appointment yesterday. I arrived at 3pm with the mistaken belief that my appointment was for that time. I did not make another appointment as I'm hopeful I'm in remission or the RA has gone away, Whatever the terminology I take this optimism as I have not injected the Abatacept for 4 months, and as you will see I have not taken the Methotextrate since last December.

My last Abatacept injection was 10 July. I developed a head cold in May which unusually persisted into July so I wondered if I stopped the immune suppressant for a week perhaps it would go. The next week I had no RA flare up so did not inject, and this has continued till now. Strangely the head cold has remained, or is it some form of hayfever, or persistent virus? However it has diminished to a point where I have only occasional sneezing or nose run.

I was keen to talk to you about this and see what my blood tests showed so maybe you could send me the blood test results with a brief comment. I'm hopeful they are within normal range. I'm feeling so well; I have some early morning stiffness in back, back shoulders and legs often but this passes and I think is due to my strenuous work and quite normal for that reason, given my age. I'm working very well, unfortunately circumstances not allowing me to retire, but the physical niggles do not prevent my objectives.

I thank you for your excellent service which has brought me to this point of confidence (perhaps along with lifestyle and dietary changes I have made, and with time). I still have a full bottle of Methotrexate with some six months to run before expiry and similarly 6 Abatacept injections in my fridge, and I think the chemist is still holding one or two valid repeats waiting for me to order if I need.

If I have a flare up I'll ring you before I do anything, or if necessary due to protocol go through my GP. Touch wood, this won't be necessary.

My apologies, thanks again, and much goodwill. All best for your upcoming leave,

Carey Williams