Just back from the Doc

rosebud

Hi

I went to see my Doc today to discuss my wrist x-ray. She says that it clearly shows mild degenerative arthritis.

She says I don't need blood tests to rule out RA as RA would show up differently on the x-ray.

She dismissed the swelling in my wrist as 'just a symptom of my weak wrist' and dismissed the pain in my other wrist and thumb as 'being prone to weak wrists'.

does this sound ok? don't get me wrong, I don't want to have RA but just thought that a blood test would be more conclusive to rule it out. I didn't think it would necesarily show up differently in an x-ray?

Any thoughts?

mickey2009

I'm not sure if a blood test would confirm (or not) if you had RA, I spent years going to and fro doctors, hospitals with pains in my right wrist and arm.

The various treatments they gave me (inlcuding blood tests & x-rays) they diagnosed it as tennis elbow (although pain was in the wrist and fore arm).

It wasn't until I started to develop pains in other joints (mine was knee and foot) that they did x-rays / ultrasounds and last year they told me I had RA.

elnafinn

Hi Rose

I have OA but I have learnt from being on the forum, and also having had a bloodtest myself for RA that this is not a fullproof solution for diagnosis by any means. (my blood test proved positive but when I saw a rheumy he said it was OA which I had been told it was, for years). Why not wait until the xray results come back and if you still feel that you need more information for your own peace of mind, ask your gp to refer you to a rheumy. A rheumy will be able to diagnose you regarding the type of arthritis you have - that is their job.

Luv
Elna x

rosebud

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

It's not very straightforward is it.
The x-ray showed that it was mild degenerative arthritis in my wrist.

The only advice she offered me was to take paracetamol or nurophen. No advice on how to avoid further damage or explanation to why my other wrist is now playing up. She says the swelling on my wrist does not look like RA.

She did say that it may not get any worse.

I have read the new NICE guidlines on RA and they do say that if RA is suspected then you should be immediately referred to a rheumatoligist, but as she does not suspect RA then no referral!

Hopefully I may start to feel better when we get rid of this very cold weather!

elnafinn

Oh dear, you are in a bit of a situaton aren't you? Trouble is, you know your own body more that anyone and you are obviously not particularily happy with the diagnosis given. Would it be possible for you to see another gp, and get a second opinion, perhaps ask around if there is one at your surgery specialising in arthritis as some gps do seem to have a personal interest and therefore knowledgeable in specific ailments.

We do unfortunately have to sometimes fight our corner. After all it is our life so why should we always go with what we are being told, if we have a gut feeling, we are not getting the best attention/advice that we know is available.

Luv
Elna x

Starburst

Hi rosebud,

If you don't feel confident with this GP's opinion, could you perhaps see another GP in the surgery? I had to push for a referral to a rheumatologist and even ended up going for a second opinion before I got diagnosed. I know it's hard and some doctors aren't always prepared to listen but if you don't feel happy and really feel that something's not right, then it's worth exploring further.

Good luck & keep us updated.
~ Sophie

rosebud

Thanks for the support!

I'll leave it a few weeks/months and see how things go. I'm probably a bit paranoid about docs as I was mis-diagnosed with CFS/depression when in fact I was hypothyroid. I then had a battle to be given enough thyroxine to feel well.

This time the doc is perhaps right but if I get any worse or any other symptoms I'll go baqck and perhaps try to see another Doc.

Thanks again