Doctor useless

margareth64

My doctor refuses to send me to a rheum doc he says i dont need to go ive OA in my lower spine and im constantly in pain he keeps bring me off my meds and then putting me back on them sent me to a pain clinic and i got injection in spine dont know what it was Steriod maybe? didnt help. Was on butrans patches but doc took me off them as they made no difference, Now on tramadol sr 100mg x 2 , co codamol 30/500 x8 ,robaxinx8 and lyrica x8. Is my doc right that i dont need to see the specialist???

dreamdaisy

From what I can gather from my reading on here it is unusual for a rheumatologist to see an OAer, tho not unheard of. Rheumatologists are much more involved with RAers etc, as our arthritises are caused by over-active immune systems, hence all the nasty meds we have to take in an effort to subdue them. You OAers have a different cause to your problems and it is generally GPs who monitor and manage, aided and abetted by the odd orthopaedic surgeon when joint replacement is required. I have no idea whether a rheumatologist would be able to shed any more light on your condition. I wish you well. DD

dorcas

Margaret
I'm sorry you're feeling so let down by your doc. They are the gateway to seeing specialists and it must be frustrating and demoralising to be told that you don't need/ wouldn't benefit from seeing a rheummy when you feel that you would.

but...I think as a general rule that OA isn't something that rheummy's can deal with as it doesn't come under the umbrella of an autoimmune disease which is their specialism.

As your doc seems so certain about you having OA I wondered how your OA was diagnosed? have you had xrays?

I have PA (psoriatic arthritis) not OA so am at a loss what to advise you... but I'm sure there'll be others along soon who'll offer advice from their own experience of having OA.

Iris xxx

margareth64

I have had pains in my back for years, but not diagnosed until I started a new job as a Care Assistant in a nursing home and pains became much worse,probably the heavy lifting in my job aggrivated it!! So bad husband took me to A&E and had an xray and was diagnosed then thats about a year ago ive been rattling with tablets ever since!! That xray was first one since pains started about 15 years ago!!!! :roll:

dreamdaisy

I think that is one of the major problems we all face: difficulties start so we adjust and keep going, not necessarily realising that there is actually a real problem to be sorted. One gets used to the pain, factors it into daily life and plods on. I hope you can find some relief soon, your GP seems to be doing his best. DD

elnafinn

Hi Margareth

As others have said patients diagnosed with OA do not usually see a rheumi. You should have had xrays much earlier on, if you have been in pain for so many years. Perhaps you did not seek medical attention as quite often we just get on with it until it gets so bad we go to our GP. I have had injections in my lower spine via xray direction and have been free of the sciatica pain for over one year now. As you can imagine, I was over the moon with happiness. Not sure how long this will last, but hope a very long time. Is that the injection you had? Should the gp think you should have any kind of operation he would refer you to a consultant. You could ask to be referred to a consultant ..... Other than that we are guided by our GP If you feel he is not being helpful enough I would see another GP and ask their advice.

Luv
Elna x

ironic

Hi Margret,

Oh you are having a hard time of it. I have just read your other thread.
It is a difficult one for you, plus you have a heavy job to contend with. Could you go to another Dr in the practise? Or try going for a one off private consultation?

I would still book an appointment with CAB as it could be useful even though it could be a while coming through.
Lv, Ix

chris7

Hi Margaret

Sorry to see this, I was drawn to your topic heading as sadly there are alot of them about. I can only echo what others have said here. I haven't seen a rheummy because I have OA in my hip. If surgery is an option we are usually referred to an orthopedic Consultant. It does sound like you should be seen by a back specialist for maybe more xrays or a scan though to find out what is happening there now. I would definately try see another doctor who is hopefully more sympathetic. Was talking to a friend today with back problems who has found acupuncture helpful though it may not be for everyone. Do keep pestering until you get the support you need.
take care
Chris