rhematoid athritis or osteo arthritis

leather27
leather27 Member Posts: 3
edited 13. Dec 2010, 22:03 in Living with Arthritis archive
i have been told i have osteo arthritis but i have never had any blood tests etc,my brother as rhematiod arthris which is aauto immune disease . my question is i suffer from ceoliac disease i have a underactive thyroid which are other auto immune disease could my arthritis be reumatoid instead as it came on severly over the last few months but my gp as dismissed my question ,as any one any ideas thanks.xx

Comments

  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good evening leather (won't ask about the name, lol) it could still be Osteo, don't think it shows in blood tests, although sero-negative doesn't show in blood tests either, I have both of the above, what a lucky chap I am haha..
    You need to get your GP to refer you to a specialist, if he insists it's Osteo you'll be referred to orthapaedics, they'll soon tell you what's what (in an ideal world anyway)..

    Best of luck and hope you're not sufferin too much,

    Tony :))
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    H Leather

    Welcome to the forum. I have OA and this was diagnosed initially by the gp. Years later my GP referred me to a consultant as he felt I needed a Arthroscopy/Total/Partial Knee Replacement. The consultant requested that I have a bloodtest for RA to double check. It came back positive but on seeing a rheumy, he ruled that out and my diagnosis is OA as the gp diagnosed years ago. I too take thyroxine for an underactive thyroid since having a nodular goitre removed at the age of 16, that is many, many years ago now!

    Why not ask for a blood test for RA? One does not usually see anyone other than the gp for OA unless you feel you need an operation and if the gp agrees he will refer you to an orthopediac consultant. The GP prescribes the necessary painkillers and anti inflammatories required.

    Look after yourself,
    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.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    A blood test won't necessarily diagnose RA - there are forms of it which are sero-negative, ie don't register on bloods. Ask for a test indeed - your GP shouldn't be so churlish as to refuse that as there is a familial link in evidence. Xrays will show the presence of OA. I wish you well - let us know what you find out! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Leather

    I do think it is important to ask your GP for a blood test initially to test for Rheumatoid Factor and inflammation levels and then, potentially for referral to a rheumatologist. As other peeps have said, there is no one definitive test for RA but I do feel that your GP is doing you a disservice by not carrying out even the basic investigations, particularly given your family history.

    Good luck!

    Love Tilly xxx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,882
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Leather

    good to meet you x:D

    I think there is no harm at all in being tested for the Rfactor - I am sure the test is failry cheap.

    My bloods are negative too - but the rheumatologist calls it RA as he diagnoses on symptoms as well as blood results.

    Good luck

    I hope you get sorted soon.

    LOve

    toni xx
  • leather27
    leather27 Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thankyou for all your replys i will ask my gp again for further tests,as in the last 6mths my knees a
    have really deteriated and i can hardly walk .
    i have aknee brace and crutches but it is still very painful
    i take 150 mg arthritec daily and 30/500 mg cocodamol inbetween but i am still in pain so i will let you know the outcome of my visit to gp
    thanks xxx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I have OA in multipule joints, my doctor has tested me for RA, as well as sending me to see a rheumatologist. As a lot of my symptoms are similar to RA I have had quite a few tests to check my rheumatoid factor. Its a simple blood test and your practice may have someone like a nurse to do it. I'd ask if you could be checked. Its the first thing my GP did when I went with back and hip pain. x:wink: Hope you get sorted, love Sue
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Leather,

    I got pa and oa and neither came up in bloods as such but it wouldn't hurt to have the rf test.

    I think they can tell the difference fairly easily if the symptoms are clear enough though and I really hope they have given you some help to keep the pain level down? Nice to meet you. Cris x