Got my diagnosis today...

bramalfie
bramalfie Member Posts: 12
edited 20. Dec 2011, 17:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Saw my Rheumy to get the results of the MRI scan and X-ray, which both confirmed his initial thoughts of Psoriatic Spondylo Arthritis. My sacroiliac joints are both pretty inflammed as are some of the tendons along my spine. I'm on Naproxen at the moment which is definitely helping but he wants to try me on a different type one of the newer COX-2-specific types. He has also recommended physio and hydrotherapy so got an appt booked in for the new year. Seeing the Rheumy again in 6 weeks time. He was also talking about a injection if the anti-inflammatories don't help. Oh and he has suggested Amitriptyline to help me sleep at night.

So glad to finally have a diagnosis, now I can actually start to deal with it and find ways of coping.

Comments

  • annalou
    annalou Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya, I've got probable psoriatic arthritis although not officially diagnosed yet. Has it taken a long time to get your diagnosis? It sounds like you're rheumy is getting to the bottom of things for you. I'm glad you are finding the Naproxen helpful, i've just been prescribed this, do you take it every day regularly? I wasn't advised about when and how often to take it. Do you have pains in your hands and feet too? Sorry for all the questions.

    Hopefully now you will be able to find improvement and less pain and more sleep.

    xx Annalou
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello bramalfie, I know you are a new one to us (I don't think I've answered you before now? If not I apologise) and I think that having a diagnosis does help. I too have PA and I can empathise on the sacro thing - mine twang all the time along with some other joints. I hope the meds make a difference - don't forget that they can take a while to get into your system before they begin to make a difference. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    you need to take them with food and if any problems get stomache protector can not take mine with out val
    val
  • bramalfie
    bramalfie Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Annalou - took me a while to get the GP to take me seriously but since they started listening in August it hasn't been too long. I went private for the consultant so has only taken 3 weeks since my initial appt to getting the diagnosis today. I take the Naproxen twice a day once in the morning and once in the evening, always with or just after food (can cause stomach ulcers, I found I was regularly getting indigestion so I also take a tablet to protect my stomach). I get pains in most of my joints!!
  • bramalfie
    bramalfie Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks dreamdaisy - not sure if you have answered me before or not but no need to apologise!! It definitely felt as if a big dark cloud had lifted from me when I initally saw the consultant and he said what he thought it was. Since then I have been sleeping much better and the pain levels have definitely reduced (maybe having 10 days off work has helped too!!!)

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