Visit to the GP about OA -advice sought

stralachlan

Hi there, I've only just joined this forum. I suffered from Osteo Chondritis Dissecans when I was 17 and it took 8 months to get diagnosed & operated on, so I walked around with a large lump of loose bone in my knee which had broken off the bottom of my thighbone for all that time.

Obviously that did some damage to the cartiledge, and I've always had problems with that knee but it seemed to stablise during my 20's. I had some Xrays a several years back which confirmed OA and was told come back when it gets too much.

I'm now 35 and have reached the point where I cant ignore the pain anymore as it seems to be flaring up again. I'm trying to get an appt to see the GP and my aim is to get him to agree to another Xray to see how bad its got. I then expect to be offered stronger pain killers (nurofen dont really cut it) and possibly steroid injections as a first step.

Are there any other questions I should be asking at this stage? Should I be looking for a referral at all? My mum mentioned seeing a rheumatologist might be a good idea.

Any advice appreciated.

mash65

hi,i too have oa + other condtions(related too)
i would say yes press for a referal to rhymy as the process can take a while.
i was diagnosed in aug 08 after seeing rhymy.it had taken visits to gp since march 08 & 6wks of physio to get the referal.
ive since seen rhymy for 2nd appointment april 09 & he has now,re done bloods, sending me for MRI (this sat)& im waiting for injections & pain clinic.
so i'd push now.
oa 8 months between appointments,its along wait in pain.
hope all goes well for you.debsx

elnafinn

Hi

I have oa and the only time that I saw a rheumi was when a consultant wanted me to have a blood test check to make sure I did not have RA and it came back positive. I saw a rheumi but in the end he said that I did not have RA so I was discharged. I did not think it usual that if diagnosed with oa one saw a rheumi but perhaps it may vary, depending in which county you live.

Questions that could be asked about are physio, acupuncture, knee supports, appointment with a pain clinic, stronger painkillers and inflammatory meds, arthroscopy (wash and clean out), partial/total knee replacement operation. Xrays and steroid injections you have mentioned.

I hope you get a gp appointment soon - perhaps you need a double appointment if your list of questions gets too long!

Wishing you the very best,

Elna

eckstardeluxe

Hi there and welcome to the Forum.

You need to discuss medication as you mentioned. Blood tests can dictate if you have RA. But really you need to be sent for xrays or better an MRI. This will show up exactly what's happening around the affected bone and tissue, an xray will cover bones. A referral to a Consultant would happen once they detect what's wrong so they can decide which dpt you need to be seen by.

I'm sad to say the likelihood of you having OA is high. Like you I had a rare bone disease, mines was when I was a child but in my spine. I have end stage OA but my illness was 22 years ago.

The other thing I would say and I know this is off topic. Is, did they tell you during your illness you may get arthritis as a result? And if so did they monitor you for this afterwards? If you get your diagnosis and find out you have it and answered no to my questions, I recommend you consult a solicitor who deals in medical nehligence claims, one that doesn't charge. I have done this and have been told I have a strong case as was never warned of the above. I am now pursuing this through my solictior now. Just something to think about.

But good luck with the Dr, I hope you get some answers soon. And don't take any nonsense from them, if you're not happy, get a second opinion.

Eck

stralachlan

eckstardeluxe wrote:

I have end stage OA but my illness was 22 years ago.

Eck

It turns out my last Xray which did confirm OA back then was 10 years ago :oops: I really didnt think it had been that long.

What exactly is end stage OA?

woodbon

Hello I have OA and I often think of the best questions to ask afterwards, so my advice would be to sit down with some paper and a pen and think of all the pain, problems you are having at the moment and ones you fear may happen in the future. Then try and phrase them into a few simple questions. Have you got someone to go with you? If not, ask if they mind you writting things down, as I find I forget as soon as I get outside the door! :oops: My husband comes with me, and I think its helped us both in dealing with the whole problem. I hope you get on well, theirs so much you want to know when you'r new to a this illness, so don't be afraid to ask. Love Sue