Here we go again

cpontefract

Morning all, hope you all had a lovely weekend.

I've just got back in from seeing my GP, & how lovely he was. Mid-last week I started having really bad pains in my knee, & even though the Rheumy aint said for def its arther i know it is

So, i thought seen as i cant get an appointment to see him any time soon, id go and see my GP and see what he could give me for the pain. Although he cant switch my arther meds hes given me Naproxen to take with my salazopyrin, in the hope the pain will go away (fingers gently crossed)

He also asked how i was doing with work etc and explain i had been put on JSA, he shock his head and reached out his fit-note pad and has told me until i get things sorted I am not to return to work, & gave me a months paper. I have to go back and see him in the month to discuss pain etc, and for a new paper, but i feel this is this the most support I've had in a long long time! Now i just have to ring JSA & switch back to ESA! Oh the joys lol

Just need to see the rheumy now so all the other 'pains' that havent been looked at, can be! Time to put my foot down and demand some answers i think.
xx

dreamdaisy

They can only give answers if they have them. Arthritis comes in many shapes and guises, and it can be very hard to diagnose - especially if one finds oneself in the minefields that are reactive or sero-negative. I had five years of being told that there was nothing wrong with my left knee (surgery was mentioned when it was 24" round, when carried it out it was 27" and life was, how shall I put it - getting difficult) and even then rheumatology were not that keen on accepting me as a patient. Eventually they caved in and they have been my second home since then. My problem begain in 1997, in 2003 they decided it was some form of inflammatory arthritis then, thanks to a bout of psoriasis at the back end of 2006, they settled upon psoriatic arthritis. I put all my knee pain down to the PA but requested Xrays in April revealed significant OA damage, deep deep joy.

It is a very strange area of medicine: the disease can present in so many different ways, it can be very hard to diagnose and there ain't much out there in the way of a 'cure'. I hope they can come to some conclusion about your problems and soon - but it can take time. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

At least you sound as if you have a good, sympathetic GP there, cpontefract. Treasure him. They make a world of difference.

skezier

Hi Claire

Glad the gp was sympathetic and good that he has given you a month off as well. This fit note thing is silly I think....

I just wondering if anyone has tried to find out what the pain is being caused by? If your knees haven't been xrayed it might be worth them dong that but also if it not arthritis then what is it? See they are very quick to blanket diagnose and with you they haven't so they need to come up with a reason. I would see if you can get some answers as to whats wrong.

With the other pains your rumo may rethink it actually.... When do you see them again?

Hope it backs down for you soon flower. Cris x

cpontefract

Thanks all for your support.

My knee problems started in 2003, when my left gave way going down some stairs. Neve rbeen right since. but nothing I've worried about! Then last year when I slipped on the stairs and the whole thing started with my wrists I noticed my right knee aching, then it stopped and thought nothing of it seen as i fell, but mentioned the pains when i first saw my rheumy in sept-ish 2010. Then last week teh right ballooned, and my meds werent touching the pain.

As for seeing my rheumy, hmmmmm.... im a month overdue already. My GP knows him and seems to think he has retired, however my rheumy nurses called today after i left a message on friday about pain relief, and said she will chase up my appointment (although i still fear a long wait).

As Cris said it will probably just be 'blanketed' along with my wrists. Thing thats bugs me though is i have no type to go along with the arthritis! All he can say atm is inflammatory, and as we all know there are sooooooooo many different types. So im getting blank looks when i speak to anyone but a doctor about it as they expect you to snap your fingers and know what it is. but hey, at least with some time off, i can rest up and maybe the knee will get better (if its not arthritis, anyway) xxx

skezier

Hi Claire,

It kinda sounds like it might be arthritis though flower..... I don't see why the rumo said it wasn't. Maybe you could see this one cus it might be soon and if he doesn't come up with a positive appointment (I don't mean name it as that can be hard but see you and talk to you in a way that actually helps) maybe you could ask your gp get another opinion.

Its sometimes a good idea to see someone else if the one your seeing doesn't help or seem too interested.....

I don't know if you feel that way but he is not really looking at you in the way you need.... maybe this time he we will and in the mean time take some pic of that knee cus sods law dictates it will go down the day before you see him.

Fingers crossed you get some positive help cus it doesn't matter which it is as long as its being treated. Will be in your pocket for the appointment and will kick him for you if he doesn't actually help so lets know when your going. Cris x

cpontefract

I think you could be right Cris.
My very first rheumy appointment, he checked all my joints etc and said i was very 'lax' (in the way of flexible i guess) Which is true coz i can (but dont as it hurts) kinda push my knees right back to the back of my legs, so i have a big dip where my knee should poke out lol

Just been having a chat with my nan and RA and OA both run in her side of the family, from young ages.

So im just gonna hold out for the appointment, and make it clear, that there is definatley something going on with my knees as well as my wrists.... so watch this space.... although it might be some time lol xx