hello

janis1966

hi all
i am after a bit of advice please.
after about a year of being told the pain i suffer is due to depression,i have actually managed to get an appointment with a consultant,believe me,that wasnt easy,as i was told by my gp,that as blood tests came back normal,there was nothing wrong with me.it was only by accident i had to see another doctor in the practise, who asked about family history and loads of other things,that i actually got a referal.
my questions to you nice people are what do i ask the consultant? i am typically british and when asked how i am i always reply fine.
also how do i bring the subject of pain relief up,at the moment i am taking huge doses of tramadol,not realising they were so addictive,no one told me,and ended up feeling very ill when i accidently ran out,so i really want medication that isnt so addictive.thank you so much for taking the time to read thisxxxx

sharmaine

Hi Janis

Where is your pain? Were they testing for osteo or RA? I would suggest you write down your concerns in readiness for your appointment. Pain happens for a reason. Maybe you need different blood tests. Have they done x rays? Change your GP if you're not happy and I would recommend reviewing your current meds. I was on Tramadol for 6 weeks after my TKR. They help with the pain but make you feel lethargic.

I hope it goes ok for you.


Sharmaine

janis1966 wrote:

hi all
i am after a bit of advice please.
after about a year of being told the pain i suffer is due to depression,i have actually managed to get an appointment with a consultant,believe me,that wasnt easy,as i was told by my gp,that as blood tests came back normal,there was nothing wrong with me.it was only by accident i had to see another doctor in the practise, who asked about family history and loads of other things,that i actually got a referal.
my questions to you nice people are what do i ask the consultant? i am typically british and when asked how i am i always reply fine.
also how do i bring the subject of pain relief up,at the moment i am taking huge doses of tramadol,not realising they were so addictive,no one told me,and ended up feeling very ill when i accidently ran out,so i really want medication that isnt so addictive.thank you so much for taking the time to read thisxxxx

elnafinn

Hi Janis

I have sent you a Private Message.

Luv
Elna x

dorcas

Hi Janis

I'm sorry to read you've had such difficulty getting referred to a rheummy.....GPs are not specialists and some seem to be very dismissive if blood tests appear 'normal'.
What the doc should have been aware of is that there are many of the inflammatory arthers, such as PA, AS , that have a negative test result for RF (rheumatoid factor which is the test for RA). These 'sero negative arthropathies' can be difficult to diagnose and in some cases require time for signs and symptoms to become more obvious.
However that does not mean that you won't get treatment for the pain you are suffering.!

If you've been taking tramadol , which is prescription only, then any 'addiction' issue that's arisen is not YOUR fault and you should not be feeling guilty about it or feel that you can't discuss it without embarrassment with the rheummy.
My advice? tell him that your doc has been prescribing tramadol but you are afraid that you have become dependent on it....any rheummy worth their salt will understand and not hold you responsible or make you feel bad about it! they will discuss alternative pain killers..there are plenty others...to keep you comfortable.

As others have said make a list of questions you want to ask eg what arthers there are that don't have positive RF; what tests he proposes to do; what advice he would give for dealing with pain and tiredness; if there is a support line or group you can go to; what follow up appointment he's considering.

Also I would suggest you write down when the pain started, which joints were affected and any other signs (swelling, redness) or symptoms (pain, fatigue, stiffness) that you've had since it started; note any pattern to the pain etc...keeping a daily diary between now and when you see the rheummy can be very helpful....for you and for him!

Bottom line? You are not imagining this and are just looking for answers to why you are having pain in your joints.

each of us on this great forum have been in the same position as you at one time or another....worried and anxious about arther and the impact it's having.
so please remember you are not alone with this.x keep posting and let us support you. we also have a great helpline (number's at the top of the page) whom I'm sure would be pleased to listen and support you too.

Iris x

efleure

I just wanted to say good luck when seeing your consultant and that like you I was put on Tramadol, and told it was not addictive.When I realised I had become dependant on it, again like you, when I accidentally ran out of it, I had to wean myself off. It was very hard, and have never felt so ill, but I did it. The doctors were no help at all. So, if you're in this situation, you have to decrease your amount very slowly and be patient with yourself. I am now on Diclofenac, which is not as effective as Tramadol, but not addictive. Best of luck.x

marion1952

Hi Janis

Be careful with Co-codamol too.. some people are fine on it, but it made me very very sick (8 hours out of 24 throwing up - great for losing weight!) and when I stopped it I had terrible withdrawal symptoms for 6 days - shaking, freezing cold, sickness, diarrhoea, aching muscles ... not pleasant at all!

Best wishes

Marion

chris7

Hi Janis

Really sorry to see this and just wanted to call in and send a hug or two ((( ))). Do hope all goes well with the consultant and that you get some support and answers soon. Your pain in not imagined so do be honest when you see them.
take care and do let us know how you get on.
Chris

speedalong

Hi lots of good advice has been given. Start your list of questions now and just add to it in the time it takes for your appointment to arrive.

Hope you get some help and answers soon.

Speedalong

theresa4

HI

I always used to turn into mush when I got in front of my GP or consultant usually floods of tears or try to make a joke of things so my problems didnt always come across as well. I found that spending time writing a daily diary nothing extensive just one line a day and kept adding to it all the problems and feelings I had.
ie..
stiffness 1 hr in morning and after rest periods
not being able to dress myself
not getting to the loo quick enough due to pain and stiffness :oops:
cant get up the stairs
cant wear my heels which I love :x
unable to open jars, turn taps,
having to slide down stairs :shock:
.... (im sure you get the picture)

I then handed a copy to my rheumy at my appointment so he could have a look at the difficulties I was facing. He put it into my notes for reference I also gave a copy to my GP and still do updates on my PC so I can see improvements or worsening symptoms then pass an update every 6 months or so (unless something dramatic changes).
I hope you get the help you need, I Have sero neagtive Rheumatoid arthritis, if you want any further information please ask xx
Good luck with your appointment
Theresa