hello and some advice pls

chapp1
chapp1 Member Posts: 5
edited 3. Mar 2010, 17:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello,

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice as I'm a little confused.

for the past year I've been suffering with sore, swollen joints (off and on) primarily my knee's and ankles but more recently my fingers, thumbs and elbows. I've just had an x-ray on my knee and bloods done and been told today that they were NAD (No action needed). I now don't know what to do, I'm not the professional and don't know what to say to the doctor when I go in tomorrow.........I'm not positive it is arthritis but hope you don't mind me asking what you would do?

thanks
C

Comments

  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello C and welcome to the forum!

    You are not imagining the pain and swelling in your joints so it's perfectly reasonable for you to ask your doc what he thinks.

    Not everything shows up in x rays and bloods and it can take quite a long time to get a diagnosis, especially if the blood tests are negative for rheumatoid factor.There are so many different types of inflammatory arther and many of them are what's called 'sero- negative' and take a bit of investigation to pin a label on. So don't let the outcome of the x rays put you off!

    It took a year for me to get a diagnosis and I know other peeps on the forum who have also had to wait a considerable time for their diagnoses too. So don't lose heart! keep on asking.

    Ask the doc what other tests can be done. Have you been referred to a rheumatlogist? that might be something you discuss with the doc too. GPs are not specialists and usually rely on the rheumys to investigate and give an opinion/ diagnosis.

    let us know how you get on tomorrow. Irisx
    Irisx
  • chapp1
    chapp1 Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, I know alot of you have probably been through this and I may or may not have arthritis of some kind but Its tough to know whether you just get on with it and go back to bed or keep going back to the doctors

    thank you for your reply
  • caprica
    caprica Member Posts: 195
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey,

    I think if you are in pain and if it's getting worse you NEED help. If you have an inflammatory arthritis, it's cruical you get treatment early on to greatly reduce or even prevent disability later in life.
    I know what you mean about wanting to go back to bed and not face more doctors but you have to make a nuisance of yourself sometimes, unfortunately, before they take you seriously.
    Have you been referred to a rheumatologist? They can do more detailed blood tests at the hospital than the GP can. Also they can do an MRI scan which will show up way more than xrays. Ask your doc about all that when you see him/her tomorrow.

    Good luck and don't give up, you will find some help if you persevere!!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chapp

    Good to see others answered your posting on this zone. All the best with your appointment today and like we all say there are more tests etc that can be done, it can take time to be diagnosed and keep on keeping on to the medics if you are not satisfied with their advice. Please do call back and let us know what happened and we will try to help if we can.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi C

    Welcome from me as well they are a good lot here.

    If you got swelling then there has to be a reason so like the others I think you just have to keep on at them. What do they actually say is making your joints swell? They should have some kind of reason for that I would have thought. I think thats what I would keep asking and I hope you can soon get some answers but more importantly some help to. Take care Cris
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi and welcome,

    Sorry to read about your painful symptoms.There is definately something going on and it does sound like arthritis according to your discription( remember I am not a GP!).

    they only x-rayed your knees what about all the other swollen joints.Usually they feel them and ask if they hurt and how much.

    Good luck with your appointment and let us know how you get on.
    Best wishes
    Elizabeth xx
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sometimes it's hard to believe that this decease can affect so many and go undiagnosed for so long?

    I seem to remember a Labour pledge that arther would rise up the list of tables and become eligible for better, earlier treatment. In fact, I'm sure of it. So many would like a answer.

    Or was that last years pledge?

    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,883
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chap

    we often take forever to get the help we need and bloods tests are not always postive.

    Xrays dont always show stuff early on too. You might need MRIs for that or another type of scan.

    Be assertive and talk about the pain and the effects on you. Ask if he suggests you can see a rheumatologist anyway. Mine diagnosed me without anything in the blood.

    You atke care

    Love

    Toni xx
  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chapp,

    I did reply to your post but Say Hello forum only just seen this one here too.

    I hope you don't mind but my reply is long so sending you there to read lol. It's late so heading to bed cos eyes are shutting. I have insomnia so bet I will be wide awake by the time I get in.

    Eve :)