Umm whaaaat?!

Starburst

I popped in to the drs surgery to ask for a copy of my blood test results to take to rheumy appt and the receptionist said my GP will call me regarding a concern. Two hours after my allotted timeslot, I'm finally speaking to a doctor who is concerned because my ESR is 40. I said my ESR has been abnormal since October 2009 (ranging from 30 to 90) and said my rheumy has told me it's due to arthur. No, argues my GP, your 'arthritis marker' (CRP) is fine. :shock: I told him that sometimes it's high, sometimes it's fine but my ESR has not been below 30 at all. Clearly not taking this on board, he concludes that the abnormal result is probably due to my polycystic ovaries!!!!! Then, he says goodbye and hangs up before I can get another word in!

A misdiagnosis of arthur? A misinformed GP? Doubt it, probably just poor communication and a lack of reading of notes. Blimey, these lot never talk to each other!

keith1971

Hmmm....doesn't exactly inspire confidence now does it!?

At least YOU seem to know what's what & perhaps that's the most important thing.

x

frogmorton

Oh starburst

that doc seems to not know his stuff at all :roll:

so long as you are ok???????????????

Love

Toni xx

julie47

well starburst I hope you get to the bottom of this soon.

Dont really know what else to say :shock:

Juliepf x

barbara12

I honestly think that we know more about Arthur then our GPs, good luck with everything.

hileena111

I second Barbara....we do know more than our GP's about arthritis.
Mine is asking my physio to check me out and make a diagnosis??

Love
Hileena

stickywicket

Well, that must have been quite frustrating, Starburst. I have to confess I know nothing about ESRs, CRPs or any other CRPpy letters. I do know that GPs & rheumatologists do sometimes disagree (Hence my endoscopy, colonoscopy and Barium enema just because my iron levels were sinking a bit - no, no problems) but I suppose we should be glad they're both monitoring us well.

traluvie

None of my doctors talk. I had to remind one doctor to check my med's before starting me on something else, it was a good job I did as I wasn't meant to take them. . They are in the process of putting files on computer. . This should have been done a long time ago so every doctor can get a full medical history at a click of a button. Good job we know what's going on eh. . Lol

dreamdaisy

I think that ESR is another measure of inflammation ijn that I have always had both measured at the same time. I reckon you are right so leave it to the rheumatologist to deal with etc. A GP is just that, a generalist, not a specialist. DD

Rosycheeks

Hi, I have my crp and plasma viscosity measured. Often my crp is normal, but my plasma viscosity is high. My rheumy and rheumy nurse told me that some people can have very swollen joints and a normal crp as not everyone gets a raised crp. Thats why they check my plasma viscosity every time as well, which is almost always raised and shows inflammation.
You could be one of those people (like me) that does not always have a raised crp, but does have other markers raised.

Starburst

Even the specialists aren't 100 percent sure, so really what chance does the GP have?! All we know is that I have an inflammatory autoimmune arthritis-type problem that is looking a bit like Lupus without positive antibodies but also a bit like RA without positive antibodies. I've seen 2 experienced rheumatology consultants who've agreed on the diagnosis which is kind of a non diagnosis really. My new rheumy is currently calling it seronegative RA but I may have a different label by Thursday! All I know is that the treatment is important and the name is a lot less important. Oooops, rambled on a bit!

I do get a bit frustrated though when doctors don't bother reading the notes.

Thank you for letting me rant,
Sophie x

tillytop

Hello Sophie - "umm whaaat?" indeed!

Wot are these docs like eh? Sounds as if this one doesn't have a clue!

Thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx