Help please

blibblob

Hello all......I been to see a rhumatologist and he diagnosed me with RA, in my left knee...I'm lucky (compared to most peaple on this site soo much pain peaple are in I really feel for you) Anyway he said that he would/could write a letter to my employers to confirm the RA I have.

When I read the letter it says, " He presents with pain and swelling in this knee where arthroscopic findings confirmed a chronic inflammatory synovitis. The clinical diagnosis lies between a mono articular RA or a psoriatic arthritis"

Is there anybody who can explain this in laymans terms??? :?

tkachev

My R.A started in my knee but has spread so please if you get any other symptoms in any joints make your rheummatologist or G.P aware.Nowadays joint damage can be nipped in the bud and there are lots of effecient medications.
It sounds like you have been diagnosed as showing symptoms of either P.A or R.A.Sometimes it difficult to get a correct diagnoses.
you might like to post on the Working matters forum to see whether making your employer aware is a good thing and about your employment rights etc.....
Best wishes and welcome to the forum
Elizabeth

colinone

Hello, its all a bit long winded no mater how you put it. In general terms you have inflammation of the synovial membrane in your knee joint, ( look this up on the net ) He goes on to say it could be Rheumatoid arthritis or Psoriatic arthritis. Hope this helps
Colin

blibblob

Thanks for your repy tkachev

At the moment I've been taking Salazopyrin for about 8 weeks and no side effects. when I went to see the rhummy I did have pain in my hip....which after a couple of weeks developed into lots of pain. I went to the GP and he precribed me Prednisolone. This help and I stopped taking them...but over christmas and then over new year the swelling started again.

I due to see my GP again and I was going to ask him if he had my ESR??? results...would this confirm RA??

blibblob

Thanks colinone

colinone

Hello again, it can be hard when first diagnosed to come to terms with it all and understanding whats going on and why. Mostly with Arthritis there are no answers, I found the best way to find out about the disease was read the internet. This site is also good for information and you can always contact them they are very helpful.
Take care Colin

blibblob

Thanks again Colinone

I know that compared to most peaple on this site my problem is nothing. It was hard when I had to see a rhummy......I just kept think how am I going to support my family with work, and would my son have this when he gets older???

blibblob

would an ESR??? blood test confirm RA?

tkachev

You have a lot of questions because this is so new to you.A blood test may not show if you have R.A(not conclusive).Doesnt mean you havent got R.A.Your symptoms need to be dealt with in any case.
If you have pain in several joints you sound as if you have R.A.You will prob be given medication to lessen the inflammation/pain and to prevent damage which will help you carry on working.
Many of us have young families,loved ones who have had to adapt.It is not considered hereditry(sorry cant spell).
On the working life forum you have posted.....ask if you should show employer doctors note.I have seen others ask about this and not always advised incase it causes probs with employer.I am not certain so you need to ask as others will know.I just want you to check first for your sake.You can edit your post.
Not trying to tell you what to do but want you to get best advice!
Elizabeth(tk)

blibblob

Hi collywobble
Thanks for repling, I have had blood tests for RA, the first was in Feb last year and then another one just before I went to see the rhummy two months ago. both where negative. However the rhummy took another blood test which I thought was a ESR?....appartantly according to my GP, he could not do these test becuase it was too expencive .

But my question is what will an ESR test prove? and what does it measure?

topgirl

Hi....thought I would drop you a line as you seem to be going through the same thing as me....
I had been suffering with lots of pain in the knee for along time and had various tests to see what was going on....
All my blood tests came back negative...which is why they decided to go into my knee...they tested the fluid and that proved my RA..
I think most of the inflammatory arthritis's are treated in the same way.but I do understand your need for a 'name'...my Gp calls it different things all the time...
Have you seen a Rumy yet?....once i got to see mine I felt much more reasured...they can ask you about lots of things that may seem unrelated( sometimes they ask if you have ever had a STI...as reactive arthritis can be caused by this)so just be aware.. :shock:
My Rumy also found RA in both knees, feet and hands...both its really my knee and left foot the causes my problems.....
I have answered your ' work' question , but feel free to message me if you feel i can help in any way,
Love
Kay..xxx