Osteo and Rheumatoid arthritis?

countyfan
countyfan Member Posts: 21
edited 13. Feb 2011, 16:41 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,
I'm new on here. Am 52, married with 2 grown up kids and even a grand daughter but also have 14 year old son. Ever since he was born I had aching off and on-generally worse in the colder weather. Then I started getting numbness in the hands and the doc said it was carpal tunnel syndrome! So I had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery, that didn't really improve the symptoms and finally an MRI scan, which showed a spinal problem with my cervical vertebrae, at the neck level which suggested osteoarthritis. A spinal surgeon wanted to operate but I shied away from such drastic action. Unfortunately in the meantime I had a really bad episode of the aching and my hands and fingers both swelled and were really painful. The GP sent me for blood tests which showed elevated RF and ESR, so he referred me to a Rheumatologist- at a different hospital to the one I see the spinal surgeon at. They say that it seems I have early Rheumatoid Arthritis too and sent me for an antiCCP test and X rays of my hands and feet. I have to go back on Wednesday for the results. Is it
possible to have both types of arthritis together, or is it likely that my spinal problems are due to the RA?
Any advice gratefully recieved

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi! I just answered you on the other thread! I won't type it all again if you don't mind, I am somewhat tired today. I do wish you well for Wednesday tho. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I too have just posted on your other thread lol..
    Good luck for wed...
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi countyfan
    And welcome to the forum, it does seem that you have a good gp who is on the ball, lots of us on here have had to battle to get scans and even xrays.
    So I am glad at least they seem to be picking up on RA in the early stages.
    I do know that you can have both .
    Good luck with your treatment, and let us know how you get on.
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • countyfan
    countyfan Member Posts: 21
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the quick replies. I didn't realise people could get both forms although I suppose there is no reason why not. I have been reassured by your replies and realise that actually I am quite aged compared with some on here so maybe I ought to be grateful that I have got to this age without things getting too bad. I'm going to have to log off now though as neck and hands starting to ache really badly but will post on Weds after I've been back to the hospital!
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Countyfan,
    Welcome to the forum.
    Sadly you can have two different types of Arthur. Hopefully when you go back on Wednesday things will be explained to you more fully.
    Write down your questions and if you haven’t already done so for the first appointment, take a record of all your symptoms and when things affect you most. This is a great help to the Rheumy in deciding what course of action to take.
    Good luck with it all and please let us know how you get on.
    Lv, Ix

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