Should I ask for new blood test to check for markers ?

harleyquin

Hi everyone, I am seeing my gp on Monday as in the past year, what started out as aching knee pain, now seems to be all over my body.
It is accepted that my hips and shoulders are affected now too, following pelvic x ray (they have just ASSUMED my shoulders are affected) but the back of my neck and base of my spine are also painful, and I am now struggling with my hands eg pushing my tablets out through their packets, pressing the button flush on the toilet, even typing is becoming painful...my fingers and wrists feel realy weak.

I have no swellings that i am aware of, so is it worth asking for another blood test to rule out RA or should i accept the original result that it is OA that is running riot through my body?
It feels like i am slowly being taken over by this thing

I know when I posted yesterday about new pains i was advised that by adjusting the way i do things to compensate for the pain, i could be putting pressure on other muscles/joints thus making them ache.
That is a very good point.
However, i feel so run down right now and aching all over that i just want to be sure that OA is the right diagnosis.

Incidentally I haven't been referred to a Rheumatologist my gp has gone by the xray results showing wear and tear to my joints.
Hopefully someone with RA can comment on my "symptoms" too.

Thanks guys

Harley xx

stickywicket

I think RA normally presents first in the smaller joints - fingers for me. However, to make sure, why not just ask your GP, having given him all the info here, if he thinks a rheumatologist would be a good idea?

harleyquin

Thank you for your replies.
Lynn I'm coming up 52 but started the menopause at 45 and actually didn't have any problems going through it apart from the hot flushes, but then I am on long term anti d's so I think they helped.
I only seem to have gone downhill in the last 12 months.

I have a lovely doctor so will have a good chat to her about it all on Monday.
I am hoping she will refer me this time.

I am also trying to lose weight as I know it will help me in the long run, but i do eat rubbish when I'm low.

I did reject physio as having been backwards and forwards to the hospital for 2 years with my inner ear/balance disorder, I couldn't face any more.

Thank you.

Harley xx

valval

it would do no harm to get a blood test done i am not sure but most places doc treats oa and rhummy anything with inflammation so not every one gets sent to rhummy just depends on what happens in your area.
it is understandable you want answers we all do but with over 200 types of arthritis it can take time to get there good luck val

harleyquin

Thanks again for being there, everyone.

Collywobble, the only symptom I COULD cope with would be weight loss but as a self confessed comfort eater it's really hard and as soon as I get low I reach for something sweet ( why do we never crave SALAD )

I didn't realise I don't need to see a rheumatologist, specifically.
I will leave it in the capable hands of my GP to decide.

Harley xx

dreamdaisy

Hello Harleyquin, cor blimey things do sound rough for you at the moment. Tiredness and lethargy are part-and-parcel of any form of arthritis as all of us on here know. I think you can request a blood test to check the inflammatory markers but if you are an OA-er then it's the GP who deals with it. Rheumatologists deal with the auto-immune versions - I'm lucky as I have a foot in both camps! My consultant ignores the OA as there is nothing she can do, my GPs ignore the PsA for the same reason. It's tiresome.

Regarding the button flush is there anything you could use instead of your hand/fingers to operate it? I use a short, fat knitting needle which I grip using a piece of non-slip matting. DD

tillytop

Hello Harleyquin

I am so sorry you are struggling so much. I have RA and my understanding is that RA joint damage seen on x-rays looks very different from OA damage so it may be for this reason that the GP has made an OA diagnosis. Also, from what you have said about the pattern of your joint involvement, it doesn't sound typically RA-like to me (although the words "typical" and "RA" probably shouldn't ever be used in the same sentence given the varied experiences of the peeps on the forum )

As the others have said, the GP would normally only refer you to a rheumatologist if she suspects some kind of inflammatory arthritis, whereas OA tends to be managed by the GP with involvement from orthopaedic consultants if necessary (for example when joint replacement surgery is being considered). Unfortunately blood tests alone are not sufficient to diagnose/rule out RA - they are just a starting point for further investigations but there would be no harm in asking the GP for the appropriate blood tests if it would help to put your mind at rest. It sounds as if you have a good relationship with your GP so maybe you could ask for referral to an occupational therapist who will be able to give you practical advice on managing the day to day tasks you are finding so difficult - and who may also be able to provide you with some aids to help. Referral to a pain management clinic might also be possible if you ask your GP.

Thinking of you.

Tillyxxx

harleyquin

You are all such lovely and helpful people.

It sounds like I do have OA and can rule out RA as I don't appear to have the right symptoms, and I don't seem to have any swelling anywhere.

I have indeed been assessed by the occupational therapist in fact she has just signed me off, as my shower-room is now completed.
My main problem has so far been mobility related.
I don't cook, I use an excellent meal delivery company, so i don't need much help around the kitchen.
I can manage to make a sandwich, although my right hand is feeling very weak lately.
I use a "directors chair" in the kitchen to deal with the washing and dishwasher (prefer it to a perching stool as I am a large lady) and have a travel kettle by my bed so I can make a coffee before I get up (i use latte sachets and sugar cubes), so all in all I cope pretty well at home.

I guess I'm just having a flare up rigt now, which is bringing out all kinds of anxieties.

Thank you all again, you lovely lot.

Harley XX

lynnmick

Hi Harley

So sorry to hear that you are not well and in pain, i've just come on the forum and read your post, and i must say that my RA didn't start in the typical way. About 3 years ago, i was admitted to hospital with inflammation of the pancreas and kept in for a week ( i'm in no way a big drinker ) , at the same time i noticed that i had a very dull ache in my left elbow, but didnt actually mention this to the hospital. I was discharged and was left with a permanently bent left elbow, and was referred to physio, then i started to experience terrific pain in my neck and in between my shoulder blades, and was referred to physio again. Still no bloods were done, until the physio said that he could no longer help me and the doc decided to test for RA and then bingo everything fell into place.

So mine started in my elbow, neck and upper spine, and now 3 years on its also in my wrist, fingers, and right ankle. So i just thought that i'd let you know my experience has it isnt the norm.

Hope you feel better soon, keep asking them to check for RA . Sometimes i think you know yourself when things arnt quite right.

Lynn x