What to expect

ehat1024

Hi,

First ever message, and I'm sure I'm not the first to ask about this. I've just returned from my GP's office where I was told in a 'consultation' which lasted all of three minutes, that the results of an MRI scan I had on 16/8/09 show 'some degeneration of the joint' and indicate that when I went to my GP three months ago I probably had bursitis.

I've had probably two or three bouts of acute pain in my left hip - usually when I wake in the morning, gone by the evening - in the last year or so. Then in June I had an acute pain in my left hip which lasted about 10 days or so, but when that pain subsided I continued to have an achy, constant pain in my hip and then radiating pain down my legs and a very painful knee. The pain in my hip, leg, knee is constant in the sense that there is always something going on - but it is much more painful when I sit with my legs extended, sit at a desk for a long time and in the morning.

I'm embarrassed to say that I was so surprised this morning I didn't ask any questions except how long the appointment to see a consultant would take - 2-3 months I was told. I have no idea what to expect and I wondered if anyone could tell me what happens next.

thanks

valval

hi can not help as have not reached this stage but we all react like that to start with so take some one with u to consultant to remember for u and ask questions if u get bit over whelmed happens a lot from what i have read good luck

ehat1024

Thank you, I'm just trying to get used to confirmation that I am going through the menopause - and I don't care what my GP says, the symptoms started about 18 months ago when I was 43 and I feel at 45 completely unprepared for it.

Now, I feel as if the rest of my body is giving way and I have two young children, and as an interim manager in the public sector - basically I'm self-employed - if I can't work we lose everything. Already this morning, I've been through a complete rollercoaster of emotion and I'm supposed to be finishing a big report for a client due tomorrow - now I just can't concentrate.

Apologies, I don't really expect an answer to the comments above, just good to write it down I guess.

skezier

Hi,

First welcome to the site I am sorry you are having a bad time of it just now. I promise you it does get easier.

When I saw mine the first time he took a lot of notes, asked me some questions and then did an examination. He then sent me for some x rays and I got the diagnosis. Actually before the x rays as the symptoms where all there. Thy are usually incredibly kind and very good with you.

Mine also arranged a MRI and cap scan and a lot of blood tests. Its variable between areas and consultants and it will be something long those lines and I do hope it all goes well for you.

I am also self employed and your right it is difficult. I hope you get a diagnosis from the hospital soon and then talk to the CAB cus there may be help out there for you.

Oh the menopause......... I also started them in my 40's a bit, they changed their mind and I am now going through them properly. When I saw the gynie man he told me stress can do what I was doing and put me n HRT (the synthetic not the other one) and it really has helped, especially now as I am def having them :oops: .

You take care. Cris x

woodbon

Hi, I have OA (osteoathritis) and this is often reffered to as 'wear and tear' 'degeneration of the joint' the worst I've heard, addmittadly not often, is 'all part of the aging process' I'm not a medic of any sort, but the pain you have sounds similar. I know that its not easy, but I think you should go back and see your GP and ask him to explain the problem, what stage it is and what treatment can he offer? Pain killers and anti inflammatories are often prescribed and so too is physio, which can be very helpful.
Also the Helpline number at the top of this page will have someone who can discuss things with you.

I expect you'r worried, and upset. It is a shock to find out something is wrong especially when you don't understand what the doctor ment. Some doctors are very bad at communication, but its your body and you need to know whats going on.
I hope you get sorted and I'm glad you came to us, there are lots of us who face the same sort of problems and we can support each other. Take care, Love Sue

ehat1024

Thank you both, I'm trying to stay calm and focus. I think I knew deep down that whatever the problem was it wasn't just going to 'go away' and at least I now have some idea of what's ahead. I just decided at least to try my best to stay positive and help myself as much as possible. So it's finally buying a new office chair for my desk at home where I can spend up to 9-10 hours in a day. I've set the time on my computer to speak on the hour to remind me to get up and move around for a few minutes regularly, and I'm going to really try to lose the 2 stone I put on after I had my youngest child five years ago. I hope that will at least make me feel I have some control over what's happening until I see the consultant.

I'll keep you posted.

thanks
'Lex

elnafinn

Hi there!

In the first instance, welcome to the forum. You have indeed found a good, safe place to write down your feelings of shock. We are all under the same umbrella to a greater or lesser degree and do understand where perhaps others do not. We all try to help each, other, keep each other buoyant in the not so good times and offer sympathy and lots of it.

I am sure you were were speechless when told the diagnosis in three minutes. Only when you left the room and started to be able to think straight did all these questions coming rushing into your mind and you are agog with it all. Perfectly understandable. There is no need to feel embarrassed. We have all done that at some point or other - not asked enough questions.

If your diagnosis was hip bursitis then you will probably have an injection. (Frogmorton)Toni, is going for the jab tomorrow and she will report back. Another person is going for one next Tuesday too. It seems to be very common. Were you given any painkillers or just shown the door after the three minutes?

I am sure many will answer your thread today. I hope you feel a little better now that already you have had some replies. You ask away with any questions you have and this place is great for a rant should you feel like "screaming".

Luv
Elna x

annebr

Hello,

You will get lots of help and support of this forum. I think the majority of people leave the docs after being told with more questions than answers. I have now taken to writing down any questions I have no matter how trivial and taking them along to consultations.

You seem to be ahead as you have already had the MRI when I was referred to the consultant I had to go on the waiting list for that appointment and then after I had seen him another lit for the MRI so the process took a bit longer.

I am also self employed but I had an insuranse policy in case I was ever ill, do you have anything like that? A doctor also told me that a lot of loans, insurance policies credit cards etc have built in insurance so that if you are off ill it kicks in when you send in a doctors line. Worth looking at in the future if you need it.

Anne

joanlawson

Hi ehat

Welcome to the site, where you will find lots of support and information.

I have OA in my knees, but I also have bursitis in my hip. At times, the bursitis is very painful, and then it seems like my whole leg is in pain.

As you have to wait a while to see a consultant, did your GP suggest what you should do about the pain in the meantime? There are various drugs which could reduce your pain. I take diclofenac, which is an anti-inflammatory drug, and paracetamol. You can take both these drugs safely. I have also had steroid injections in my hip for the bursitis, and in my knee for the OA. These can work really well, although they wear off after a while. Recently, after a bad bout of bursitis, I was referred to a physiotherapist, and she treated me with ultrasound treatment and acupuncture, which was excellent. ( all on the NHS) You could also try a Tens machine, which might help. My physio loaned one to me to try.

If your GP hasn't offered you any of these things, I think you should go back and ask about them. Possibly see a different doctor if he only gave you a few minutes to talk. Also, write down the questions you want to ask, and then tick them off on your list.

When you do see a consultant, he will look at any X-rays, MRI scans etc, and he will examine you. Then he will give you his opinion as to the way forward. When I first went to the doctor, I was in a lot of pain, and I decided that I couldn't wait for a few months to see a consultant. I asked the doctor to refer me privately to a consultant, and I saw one the next week. I haven't got health insurance, so it cost £130 for the first appointment, and £90 for subsequent ones. I thought it was worth it to speed things up. I have now gone back to NHS.

I can understand why you are so worried, being self-employed etc. but there is a lot of help out there, so I don't think you need to panic. The helplline on this site is excellent too, so you could ask their opinion too.

Joan

ehat1024

Just in case any one checks back. I went back to the doctors this afternoon and saw a different doctor. I told him I hadn't asked any questions and wanted to know what was going on. He's given me a print out of the MRI results complete with long words - but did take the time to explain what they all meant and drew little illustrations as well.

I am still really anxious and have another wait for the referral. In case anyone is interested the conclusion of the findings is: "mild degenerative joint changes. The focal marrow oedema in the femoral head raises the possibility of transient marrow oedema or AVN, most likely the former. There is obturator externus bursitis" Still very scary as I don't really understand what that all means - even with the diagrams!

I'm going to try and avoid typing all the words into Google and imagining all kinds of dreadful possibilities, but if anyone knows anything about the findings - just in terms of their own experiences, I'd love to know more.

I also go more pain killers which I'll try not to take too often as I'm worried about side effects.

valval

hi started change early as well on hrt as doc says posibility of ostioperosis(spelt wrong??) :oops: increases when u go through it before 50 lol. so rattle about when started with arther as well life is not good sometimes well 48 now so only 2 more years and can stop those tabs at least. great u got doc to explain look on here they explain it well with pics

joanlawson

Hi Ehat

Glad to hear you have seen another doctor who was more helpful. I don't know what all the technical words mean, but the word which is encouraging is "mild". That sounds reassuring at least.

I know what you mean about your reluctance to take painkillers. I don't like taking anything really, but my quality of life would be reduced if I didn't take any tablets. The problem is that they don't work if you only take them occasionally. You need to let the drug build up in your bloodstream if it is to be effective in reducing your pain.

I am surprised that you weren't offered an injection for your bursitis. My GP has given me a steroid injection for it several times.

Joan

eckstardeluxe

ehat1024 wrote:

Thank you, I'm just trying to get used to confirmation that I am going through the menopause - and I don't care what my GP says, the symptoms started about 18 months ago when I was 43 and I feel at 45 completely unprepared for it.

Now, I feel as if the rest of my body is giving way and I have two young children, and as an interim manager in the public sector - basically I'm self-employed - if I can't work we lose everything. Already this morning, I've been through a complete rollercoaster of emotion and I'm supposed to be finishing a big report for a client due tomorrow - now I just can't concentrate.

Apologies, I don't really expect an answer to the comments above, just good to write it down I guess.

Hi there, I really sympathise with you. I have two young children myself and I was the highest earner in the Household. I am a very independent person and found it hard to have to take that step back. I am lucky in that I work for an Employer who welcome people with disabilities and really went out of their way to accomodate my illness. I work less hours but aim to work more if the future improves, although I know that is not likely soon. Had you considered changing your job? I am sure with your skills you would be an asset to many an Employer.

My condition is at end stage but I have found a balance with medication. I cannot walk without it so must be very organised to ensure I don't forget my meds, which is hard when they are so mind bending. They fool my body into thinking there is no pain and have changed my life. This was after a visit to the Pain Clinic, which may be worth considering.

It is hard work with children and arthritis, I wont lie, but there are so many positives to come from my illness with my children. My daughter is only 3 and very aware of arthritis, it's affects on people and she is turning into a very considerate little lady.

Have you discussed with who you work for the possibility of being employed by them? Many employers will not mind taking on someome with a disability as they could lose out on a better candidate. Being disabled doesn't mean you will be off sick if you get the right treatment.