O/A in hips & spine

linnie13

Hi All, :?
I have been to the docs this morning & he told me that I had arthritis in both my hips (was diagnosed in my left one 12yrs ago)& also my spine. He told me quite matter of fact & said at my age it was to be expected (I am 56 just!)

I had seen another Dr 23rd Dec who prescribed diclofenic & I had asked myself for an X ray as I was in so much pain couldnt sleep or turn over in bed felt so tired & feverish & also my eyes feel funny off & on. I was in bed all boxing day as my legs had gone into a spasm & I could not stand as the pain was so bad. :roll:

I asked today if I could be referred to a rheumatologist he said NO as he did not think it was necessary told me I had O/A & there was nothing to be done for it. I said the pain was getting me down so he has prescribed more diclofenic & co codomol. He has given me a form to have blood tests done.He did say to only take the diclofenic when necessary as it can cause strokes. Just wondering what other folks G.P's say ??? as I feel really down & depressed as I dont think I am 'that old'

Do you only see a rheumotologist if you have R/A ? also how does my G.P know what I have got. I did not find him very sympathetic. :x I was wondering about going to see one privately as I am so worried about my health, I have known for years I have arthritis & I also have osteoporosis it bothers me every day but I put up with it .It is only recently that I have been getting these spasms. I am terrified of my legs going into a spasm & never being able to walk again. All your views would be appreciated :?:Love Linnie x

dorcas

Oh Linnie!
what a rotten time you are having ':('

I don't have many answers and can only speak from my own experience, if that helps. I'm sure others on the forum will add their support and speak of their experience too.

There are so many different forms of arthritis and it is possible to have more than one type. I have PsA and some OA. I was referred to a rheumatologist but it took a year to diagnose the PsA through repeated blood tests, Xray and MRI.

Some forms of arthritis called sero negative arthropathies don't give a positive rheumatoid factor in the blood test so it can take time to search out and find before a diagnosis is finally made.

I was on diclofenac for a number of years but not on it any more.

I am very concerned for you and the pain you are in; at the very least you should be getting proper pain control and there are plenty of meds out there that your GP could consider and prescribe. I wouldn't want to suggest any as we are all so different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another peep.

Your GP does not sound at all helpful or caring...could you not go to a different Gp in the practice?

I really hope you get help with this. will be thinking about you and will watch your post to see how you get on. Iris x

linnie13

dorcas wrote:

Oh Linnie!
what a rotten time you are having ':('

I don't have many answers and can only speak from my own experience, if that helps. I'm sure others on the forum will add their support and speak of their experience too.

There are so many different forms of arthritis and it is possible to have more than one type. I have PsA and some OA. I was referred to a rheumatologist but it took a year to diagnose the PsA through repeated blood tests, Xray and MRI.

Some forms of arthritis called sero negative arthropathies don't give a positive rheumatoid factor in the blood test so it can take time to search out and find before a diagnosis is finally made.

I was on diclofenac for a number of years but not on it any more.

I am very concerned for you and the pain you are in; at the very least you should be getting proper pain control and there are plenty of meds out there that your GP could consider and prescribe. I wouldn't want to suggest any as we are all so different and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another peep.

Your GP does not sound at all helpful or caring...could you not go to a different Gp in the practice?

I really hope you get help with this. will be thinking about you and will watch your post to see how you get on. Iris x

Thank you, it makes me feel better knowing there are people out there that do understand the pain. Linnie x

chinablue

hi linnie I have RA and OA but as i understand it a rheumy see any type of arthritis you need to try and find a more symperthetic doc maybe there is another doc at the same practice if not try and find a doc that specializies in arthritis who will be more helpful to you. With getting a appointment with rheumy not all of them are helpful. You have the choice to choose one you want, take some time to look at the hospitals you can manage to get to. Unfortunatley I had one that i did not get on with for about 3 years he just kept saying it was my weight that was the problem. In the end it all got too much. i brook down in the doctors she changed me to another rhemy and on my first visit he arranged all sorts of tests and gave me steriod injections and on doing an mri on my neck found two bulging dics so put me down to get an opperation, which i have just had done i had two disc removed and some bone also and had them fused too, the surgeon said that the extra bone had been there for some time. So the pain in my neck was due to that and not my weght i am so glad i changed still have more things to deal with but as least have the right help now hugs CB

woodbon

Hi, I have oa in my spine and hips as well as a few more joints. My doctor sent me to the Rheumy, for carpel tunnel.
She has offered to re-reffer me, as I still get quite a lot of pain in my neck etc. My GP has had the blood tests done and they are done regularlly, she asked, last time I saw her if I'd like to see a rheummy again. I asked if she thought it was worth it as with oa they tend to either refer you to someone else for treatment or back to your own GP. She said that I might well just be handed back to her, so I've left it for now. She said she'll send me if I ask, at any time. The plastic sergeon, who did the carpel tunnel op is referring me to neuro, as he isn't satisfied, so I'll go their first and see what they have to say.
As its been a while since the hospital said they would refer me, I am seeing my own GP today, to see if anything has been done and if I really have been referred, you now what hospitals are like!

My own personal opinion is that oa patients tend not to interest the hospital consultants (rheummys) as they have little to offer, apart from pain relief, but other forms of arthritis can be treated now, like RA, with the new drugs. Its understandable, but can make you feel like you've been forgotten. Sorry, I'm rambling on here. I'll go now!!!
Love Sue