Feeling like a fraud - anyone else?

jenzie06

So feeling like death, with painful joints, swollen feet and ankles that throb all day even with huge dose of ibuprofen. Rang to get my blood test results - they are normal! I just don't get it?!
Because I don't fit the 'norm' it's a challenge for my consultant but I do feel like a fraud. Why should I be feeling this rubbish if it doesn't show up in blood tests or xrays?

Anyone else feel the same?

robertls

I was exactly the same when I first started feeling pain and swelling in my joints.......

Hospital did loads of tests, and nothing was found.....I was just given Anti Inflams. and Pain relief...

12 month later and RA was diagnosed.......

not sure of how's and why's..........just how it was....

Rob x

valval

hi just after all the snow could hardly walk knees and hips so bad went to hospital and bloods were clear was sure they were going to tell me not to come again as nothing wrong with me but they did not they know we have pain and are so stiff life is crap some days. so it not in your head val

ironic

Odd is'nt it. My RA factor was through the roof but I surviving on the milder meds. :?
Is there anywhere near to you that you could get transfered to?
It seems such a long time to have to wait. So sorry that things are not working out for you. Could your own Dr do anything to help?

Sorry not much use but sending hugs anyway.

Lv, Ix

psyart

Hi - i know how you feel!! went to see doctor in july 07 with swelling on hands and then on ankles - saw specialist in hospital in dec07 and was diagnosed with psyratic arthritus!! was given Tramadol and told to come back in 1 year!! has been a battle for me in more that 1 way!! I felt like a fraud as everything can back normal - spoke to my doctor and said that felt hospital was fobbing me off!!! he said no, they go by what i say as much as what they see!! but i think i have been lucky that i have brilliant doctors and the hospital have been good as well - OT and Rhummy nurse really good!! go back and talk to your doctor - get some answers for yourself!!!

let us know how you get on and take care!

Louise xx

flossy46

Hi. I know exactly how you feel. my bloods keep coming back clear and my doc is baffled. had another flare up today so went back to docs. he has changed my meds from naproxen to something called nefopam and it seems to be working.

don't give up hope. i'm sure they will find out what the problem is soon

starlight

Hi Jenzie,

The same for me here, everything came back normal but my other toe is starting to swell with huge pain, same for my knee and wrist.
I am worried to go back to my GP in case he thinks i am annoying.
I am so low at the moment and i get tired so quickly.
I think i am going to heal myself with natural remedies!

elnafinn

Hi Starlight

Sorry to hear that you are feeling down. I would keep going back to your gp to prove the point that there is something wrong and it is not all in your head. If you do not pester him, he will think you are ok with it all. Your gp will or should not get annoyed, it is his work and you are keeping him in a job. Take photos to show him, if the swelling goes down by the time you get an appointment, which often happens.

I wish you all the very best,

Luv
Elna x

airwave

I agree, arther doesn't do things the same way all the time. I have had pains since I was young and despite loads of tests with negative results, he's still here, sitting on my shoulder.

I shouldn't worry about how you think you seem to others, I expect our doctors and consultants are as frustrated as us, at their inability to diagnose and help us. I expect their anger at their own lack of knowledge may show through at times?

We must draw the wagons round in a circle to keep the indians out and support each other. or just get the smile out and let others worry!

8) Its a grin, honest!

loopylou

hi jenzie
i know how u feel, i went through several blood tests and x-rays and everything came back normal, suffered for years as ld docs did nothing, ten i moved got new docs and again blood tests and x-rays showed nothing however they referred me to rheumy went in told them probs i've had said i have psoriasis the rheumy said straight away its psoriatic arthritis.
i say you badger your docs to refer you to a rheumatologist especialy as PA doesn't show up in blood tests or x-rays.
hope you get to the bottom of it al soon
lou
-x-

frogmorton

Ditto Jenzie

You stagger in claerly sollen and in agony SURE the tests HAVE to show something....


and they DON'T!!!!

bloods can take years to 'come' negative

dont think mine are but the rheumy treats me for RA anyway - n
hopefully you will get teh same response.

Take care and YOU are NOT a fraud!!

Love

Toni xx

suziev

jenzie06 wrote:

So feeling like death, with painful joints, swollen feet and ankles that throb all day even with huge dose of ibuprofen. Rang to get my blood test results - they are normal! I just don't get it?!
Because I don't fit the 'norm' it's a challenge for my consultant but I do feel like a fraud. Why should I be feeling this rubbish if it doesn't show up in blood tests or xrays?

Anyone else feel the same?

YES!
for the last 5 years and counting nothing in my bloods what so ever, you are not alone.
suzie x

only49

hi

oh yes i felt that way when people cant see what your going through like my horrible g p i had that time.

jenzie06

Well I've been seeing a rheumatologist for 12 years now. For the first five they couldn't decide between fibro and RA, then after they decided I have both.

I think the problem is that the consultant is not sure which one is affecting me and is thinking out loud a lot of the time. He did use the phrase 'low pain threshold' although now I've gone through labour with only gas and air I think have quite a good rebuke.

I'm getting mixed signals from my consultant - he says there is no inflammation but then prescribes me maximum dose of ibuprofen and he seems to lean towards fibro causing the problem but is putting me on antiTNF. I think he is as confused as me!!

psyart

jenzie06 wrote:

Well I've been seeing a rheumatologist for 12 years now. For the first five they couldn't decide between fibro and RA, then after they decided I have both.

I think the problem is that the consultant is not sure which one is affecting me and is thinking out loud a lot of the time. He did use the phrase 'low pain threshold' although now I've gone through labour with only gas and air I think have quite a good rebuke.

I'm getting mixed signals from my consultant - he says there is no inflammation but then prescribes me maximum dose of ibuprofen and he seems to lean towards fibro causing the problem but is putting me on antiTNF. I think he is as confused as me!!

hi - at least he must beleive you as he is treating you for 'arthur', even if its 2 types!!!! keep in touch on here - we all support each other!!

Louise xx

jaspercat

Hi, I have had pains in my joints, very swollen and red, my consultant says that it is one of those things, my ESR remains at 5/6, I can't understand it, I am going for a second opinion in august, even though it is a longer journey, someone must be able to do some thing love Jaspercatxx

tillytop

Hi - sorry coming into this post late, but just to add my comments to all the others to say that it is not all in your head - but unfortunately feeling a fraud seems to go with the territory!

I have never understood why my blood tests don't reflect what's going on. There have been times when I have been completely seized up and the blood tests are either normal or not particularly high - but then I remember once, being called by the doc who was concerned that the inflammatory markers were high -but I was absolutely fine (well as fine as I ever am!).

So, no rhyme or reason as far as I can see, but it does sound as if your rheumy is on your side. Wouldn't be talking about anti-tnfs if he wasn't taking you seriously.

Love Tilly x