My Results have arrived... anyone help with diagnosis lol...

traluvie

Well at long last my results have come.. Not sure what he means as he has not put anything specific but will write what he has said... in short terms lol..

Bloods ok esr 7 crp 3

The bone scan showed increased uptake in the knee joints and the tips of thumbs, which were likely to be wear and tear arthritis.However they did also comment that there was mild increased activity at the elbows, wrists, ankles and hind feet which would be consistent with inflammatory arthritis..

Does this mean RA???
He mentioned about the steroids and said he was reluctant to go down that route because of side effects.. so therefore is going to recommend Hydroxychloroquine..

Any advice i would be grateful..
Thanks

julie47

Hi tracy
glad the results have now come but sorry you don't understand them.

I am not really sure what it means either. I would say can you ring up your gp and ask for a telephone appointment so that he could explain the results.
I hope someone comes along that is more helpful.
Take care and I hope you are reasonably well
Juliepf x

tjt6768

Hi hun. Not quite sure either, I know the wear and tear obviously refers to osteo arthritis, I imagine they must be thinking some form of RA as I wasn't ever on hydroxychloroquine until they suspected sero-negative which is a form of RA..
Be a good idea to either phone or go see your GP.. Best wishes hun

janie68

Hi

Doesn't sound like RA, your bloods are normal. But you can still have inflammatory arthritis. Steroids are ok for short term only, I've had them & the side effects are horrible. The letter is a bit non committal, however the good news is that a course of treatment has been recommended.

Hope this helps

Janie

dreamdaisy

I read it as evidence of OA (the wear and tear bit) with a bit of inflammatory arthritis thrown in (despite very low inflammation markers). I hope that hydroxy will be enough - it's one I have never had but I do know it works well for quite a few on here. Yes, steroids have side effects but they mostly appear over long-term use and at fairly high dosages - what he could be suggesting shouldn't cause any problems but stay off them if you can - they are seductive little beasts. With hindsight, I wish I had never begun them tho I dread to think the state I would be in now without them (I'll know what that is in one years' time!)

Please remember I am not a doctor - this is just how I intepret what you have told us. DD

Starburst

I would agree with DD's proposed diagnosis.

Glad you have some answers, even if they are a little confusing! When do you next see your rheum?

x

Jonny

I would say it sounds more like Seronegative RA which is the same as what I have.

It leaves no evidence in the blood, no Rheumatoid Factor, normal ESR and CRP, Antibodies fine as well but it still manifests as an inflammatory arthritis.

As the others have said, steroids are generally just for short term use as they can have unpleasant side effects over time. Hydroxychloroquine is one of the milder Disease Modifying Drugs (apparently!) so thats probably what you're being started off on.

If you're interested, I started off on another "mild" one, Sulphasalazine but had to come off it as they thought it was affecting my hearing (I Disagree!) and i'm now on Methotrexate.

traluvie

Thanks all for your replies..
I spoke to receptionist to arrange appointment with GP, first available appointment was 25th.. i explained about my letter and she suggested i ring every morning to see if there is an appointment as she understood that 25th was a while away..
I have booked an appointment at the opticians for sat as in the letter it stated i needed to do this before starting on the hydroxychloroquine..
I have rang work and told them..(thats a seperate story all together lol)
Will ring physio tom now i have my results.. maybe that will help..
My head is a bit of a whirl at the moment, the reality of it has hit me.. i am glad though i know what i am dealing with and that treatment can be started... Just a bit scary, something i will def need to get my head around.. Wasn't expecting it to hit so many joints in a short space of time so has me thinking how quickly it has progressed in a short space of time.. I'm assuming the meds just try and put a kind of hold on the arthur so it doesn't attack aggresively???
Sorry i am rambling now lol...

dreamdaisy

Yup, that's the idea, they are supposed to slow the development of the arthritis, and the fact that they are putting you on things so quickly means, I hope, that you stand a good chance of them being effective in that way. As Jonny said hydroxy is one of the milder DMARDs, and I know it can be very effective for some, so let's hope that includes you. Well done on sorting the opticians - smart girl! You will get your head round it in time, traluvie, of that I am sure. DD

traluvie

dreamdaisy wrote:

Yup, that's the idea, they are supposed to slow the development of the arthritis, and the fact that they are putting you on things so quickly means, I hope, that you stand a good chance of them being effective in that way. As Jonny said hydroxy is one of the milder DMARDs, and I know it can be very effective for some, so let's hope that includes you. Well done on sorting the opticians - smart girl! You will get your head round it in time, traluvie, of that I am sure. DD

Your right DD.. i have been learning to adapt without the diagnosis.. so now i know, at least i know the reason for the things i have been experiencing..I hope i am one of the lucky ones and that hydrox works for me.. i am not the healthiest of people lately with my endometriosis aswell lol.. am staying positive.. and like many others i'm gonna try and not let it beat me...

dreamdaisy

Attagirl! DD

traluvie

Onwards and upwards DD...

chris7

Hi Tracy

Sorry the diagnosis bit doesn't mean much to me and I am sure it all feels a bit daunting at the moment. Just wanted to call in though and say well done on making all the follow up appointments with opticians, docs etc.
Although you may be in a bit of a whirl as you say it is good to see you are not going to be be beaten easily and have a plan. We like plans on here I hope things fall into place for you quickly and you get the support you need.
take care
Chris

traluvie

chris7 wrote:

Hi Tracy

Sorry the diagnosis bit doesn't mean much to me and I am sure it all feels a bit daunting at the moment. Just wanted to call in though and say well done on making all the follow up appointments with opticians, docs etc.
Although you may be in a bit of a whirl as you say it is good to see you are not going to be be beaten easily and have a plan. We like plans on here I hope things fall into place for you quickly and you get the support you need.
take care
Chris

Thanks Chris.. I am sure i will have my odd days here and there, were allowed those aren't we ?? lol..

chris7

Abso-flippin-lutely Tracy

But good days and bad, there is always someone around here to listen. They are a good bunch, so do post at the low times when you need to, though we hope they are few and far between the cyber hugs really do help when you need them.
Chris

CarlyF

I hope this works!

I'm pleased for you Progress.. and the start of treatment... I hope everything goes well.

I have been known to call hydroxy my miracle drug.. it took so much symptoms away when it started to take effect.

traluvie

CarlyF wrote:

I hope this works!

I'm pleased for you Progress.. and the start of treatment... I hope everything goes well.

I have been known to call hydroxy my miracle drug.. it took so much symptoms away when it started to take effect.

Fingers crossed it could be my miracle drug too..xxx

skezier

Hi Tracy,

he obviously thinks you got some oa and one of the inflammatories and rather than waiting fine tune it to which one, which he should do, he is treating you straight away and that good flower.

I got very duff eyes tonight so haven't been able to read all your posts but are you getting some pain control and some anti-flams as well?

Fingers crossed the inflammation will respond well and you get a good result from the drug. Cris x

traluvie

skezier wrote:

Hi Tracy,

he obviously thinks you got some oa and one of the inflammatories and rather than waiting fine tune it to which one, which he should do, he is treating you straight away and that good flower.

I got very duff eyes tonight so haven't been able to read all your posts but are you getting some pain control and some anti-flams as well?

Fingers crossed the inflammation will respond well and you get a good result from the drug. Cris x

I am on Tramadol, had depo injection just before xmas, diclofenac(having bad tum from these) and amitriptyline...
Having my fingers toes and everything crossed for hydroxy to work..

tillytop

Hello Tracy

So glad you got your letter at last, even if it is not easy to understand. Hopefully you will manage to get an earlier appt with your GP so he can explain things to you. Hopefully now that you have a diagnosis (of sorts) and some meds to start, things will start to improve for you. I do hope so. And in terms of getting your head round it - it will take time, but we are here to listen.

Thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx

caterina57

Hi Tracy
Fingers crossed that the meds sort you out, its good that perhaps you are at the early stages, keep ringing the drs and well done on making the optician appt, you know we are all here for you
Cath

traluvie

My post has disappeared... :roll:
Bizarre?????

vesoul73

Hi. Sorry you are going through a rough time.
Just to let you know - I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis about 6 months ago. Rheumatoid factor was negative so it's not RA. Started on Hydroxychloroquine at beginning of September. The difference it is making for me is amazing. Fingers crossed this continues. I wish you all the best and hope it works for you too.
Liz

valval

hi i also have oa and inflimation arther rhummy put me on hydro second visit as bloods were still showing inflimation even though there was no swelling for him to see had xray on knee and hips (doc sent me) and there signs of long term inflimation in it hips ok that great news took me a day to take that in as had been in so much pain in them lol but it from knee now treating that it so much better lol hydro takes 3 months to kick in fully but must admit felt much better in weeks had some energy back now so long as am sencible can lead normal life. spent yesterday wandering around meadowhell was lovely day but am in quite a bit of pain today but was worth it good luck hope it works as well for you was on naproxen as well to start with but cause probs so came off it

traluvie

Nice to know the hydroxy works for so many people...
Am more hopeful now.. Fingers crossed ...
Might even be able to go back to work.. woo hoo...