Inflammatory Arthritis

sammer75

Hi

I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis a few years ago was having great treatment until they swapped me to a different consultant.

It all went downhill he said that i did not have inflammatory arthritis i had fibromyligia and treated me for this, when i asked about my back and neck he just said lose weight (one and half stone overweight) and my back would get better.

I have now seen another consultant who was so mad as i have not been treated for my inflammatory arthritis for two years so I had to blood tests there and then and x rays and may even need a mri.

I am sick with worry that because of the time what damage has been done to my spine and neck?

frogmorton

Hi Sammer

I should think the answer to that is as long as a peice of string. You will never know, but just have to hope not too much damage.

It is good that you have a good specialist now who will have charge over your care. You will get the right treatemnt at least.

All I can say for sure is that worry will not help your arthritis for sure, so please do try hard not to worry. maybe you can seek some reassurance from your new specialist?

Take care

Toni x

chile168

Hi Sammer,

Wish I could say something to ease your concerns but unfortunately I can't.

I do feel angry about what the doctor said. My eldest daughter was first diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and was told to lose weight. I looked at her face and she seemed so upset. She continued to have bad flare ups and the rheumy decided to send her to the Lupus Unit St. Thom's as did was out of his league and was unsure as to whether she did have inflammatory arthritis. She was later told that she has a lupus like condition. She is still unsure as to what is going on.

I had to be tested and retested and it's horrible when you don't know what's going on. My GP is so unsupportive that he said why did I need a label for my ailments, I replied that it matters to me because it helps to understand what is happening and accept.

I know it's difficult to do but if you are still dissatisfied once you get your results, are you able to ask for a second opinion and request that your GP refers you? Also local PALS (not the ones in hospital) can also give good advice if you are unhappy with treatment of medical professionals.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Eve x

ritwren

Sammer, welcome to the board I'm glad you've found us. I'm sorry to hear you've been messed about like this but unfortunately it's not uncommon. I was mis diagnosed myself as have many others (I have Psoriatic Arthritis and Osteoarthrits) and it was about a year and a half before I was properly diagnosed and started on treatment. I ended up very unwell, in hospital and unable to walk and I believe this would not have happened had I been given a correct diagnosis and started on treatment over a year and a half earlier.
However, I have told myself, I have a good consultant now as you seem to have and it will do no good to wonder what if or what might or might not be. Quite possibly there is no real way of knowing as arthritis can sometimes progress quickly and at other times slowly. It sounds like your new consultant is on the ball and hopefully you will get the treatment you need. I think that worrying about what might or might not be will only cause more stress to the body and that's not good.
Do let us know how you get on,
rita