Wrong information from my Doctor?

knuckleduster

Have had OA in various joints for some years and, apart from having my right hip replaced in 2010, I have managed the rest of myself by myself (if you see what I mean). When my hip was playing up I asked my Doctor of 30 years standing if I could be referred to an Arthritis Clinic because it was spreading right through me. His reply was "no, you have got the wrong type of arthritis and ultimately you will have your joints replaced." I can now feel it in my right foot and I'm now asking myself if he was just fobbing me off.
If so, which department at the hospital should I ask or perhaps demand to be referred to. This time I want to go with the facts.

stickywicket

My guess is that he wasn't just fobbing you off. He's known you for a long time. What makes you think he was, knuckleduster?

Those of us with an auto-immune type of arthritis see a rheumatologist but they don't treat OA. Maybe you think you may have an auto-immune type of arthritis because more than one joint is involved. It's always possible but, unfortunately OA can also attack more than one joint. It usually (but not always) starts in the big joints whereas RA usually starts in the smaller ones.

The GPs treat OA until new joints are required and then they refer to an orthopaedic surgeon.

knuckleduster

Hello stickywicket

I feel he gave me the wrong information because so many friends have recently expressed their surprise that I don't come under the umbrella of a hospital clinic. Today I spoke to an Aviva doctor over the phone who said I should ask to be referred to the Muscular Skeletal Clinic (which I have never heard of) and that my own doctor had given me the wrong information. Apart from using this forum now, I feel very isolated with my OA as all of my friends are so very fit and healthy and jet about all over the world. I know I'm having a bad day today and on my bad days I just feel so very upset, frustrated and cross with myself. I'm due to have those injections in my neck next Friday which I am worried about and I can't find anybody on this forum who has had them in said place. It would help if I had some confidence in our local hospital, but after the dreadful experiences both my parents had there, I've little faith in the staff. I know it's wrong to tar everyone with the same brush, but when I couldn't understand the Pain Clinic doctor's accent and I had to keep saying "pardon", and then the nurse just listed all of the negatives, I began to wonder why was I bothering. As I said, it's a bad day today full of self doubt.

Janet :oops:

stickywicket

Ah, I do understand the bad days full of self-doubt, Janet. This disease can so easily rob us of our self-confidence and that’s what you must remember – that it’s the disease, not you.

It must be very difficult if you’ve no confidence in your hospital. I don’t know how long ago it is since your parents were in but try to remember that all things change. The bad ones can get better just as the good ones can get worse. As for the negatives, I’m pretty sure the nurse has to list them, just as they do before an operation. It doesn’t mean to say they are at all likely to happen.

I’m afraid I know nothing of Musculo-Skeletal clinics. I have RA which resulted in OA and I’ve only been to a rheumatology clinic, for the RA, and an Orthopaedic surgeon for the OA. I hope someone else can help.

dreamdaisy

I can understand your fears etc, knuckleduster, it is a difficult position in which to be. I am 'lucky' in that I have a foot in both arthritis camps (actually both feet are in them!) so my rheumatologist deals with the auto-immune sort and the GP with the OA. I saw an orthopaedic surgeon last August about knee replacements to be told that I was too young (wrong) and too fat (right) so come back in two years. By the time that has passed I reckon it'll be too late to make any difference. :roll:

I've heard of musculo-skeletal clinics, pain clinics too. Perhaps a referral to one of those may be of value to you. We are always at the mercy of the professionals' opinions and sometimes the advice is confusing and contradictory. I know what you mean about friends not being in the same boat - arthritis can be very isolating but we're always here, albeit 'virtually'. DD

knuckleduster

Hi dreamdaisy

Many thanks for your thoughts. I'm just having a really bad day when nothing seems to be working properly. Hopefully I will have a better day tomorrow.

Janet

hileena111

Hi Knuckleduster
I dont think I have spoken to you before....sorry....I've got OA and had my right hip replaced a couple of years ago.
I've also got it in my right ankle but that is a trauma one. Got it in my lower spine and my neck.
Tomorrow I go to get the results of my MRI on my back....one lot of consultants say its referred pain from my hips to my back the others say it is referred pain from my back to my hips....I just know both are sore!!!!!
I dont know what area you live in.....do you have an arthritis branch close to you.....I have....about 20mins drive away and I find its helpful. Everyone is in the same boat. Mightbe worth checking out.
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

We all get those days knuckledsuster, I reckon I'm heading for one tomorrow (I'm an old hand at this and I know the signs. ) My llife changed for the better on 22.04.10 when I found the forum: suddenly I wasn't alone any more, so many people were sharing my 'lonely' boat. Hang on in there girl, we're with you. DD

Folara

Hi knuckleduster,

I have OA and fibromyalgia. I've had my right hip resurfaced. Both my knees need replacing, my hip resurfacing needs redoing, my left hip is on the way out, I have OA in my upper and lower back, several of my fingers also now have bony spurs on them. So, yep OA can get you all over the same as any of the other arthritises.

I've never heard of the clinic you are talking about but I do attend a pain clinic which I find very useful.

If you have had your hip replaced you should still be able to get support via your surgeon/consultant that did that procedure. If you feel you need to see a consultant all you need to do is ask your GP to do a referral letter. If you think your GP won't do this then ask to see a different doctor and explain your concerns to him. You shouldn't feel like you have been left to get on with things on your own

Fols x

knuckleduster

Hi Hileena

Not sure what you mean about an Arthritis Branch near me. There is a group which meets once a month in the church hall, but when I enquired over the phone, the chap in charge said it's just a social club for people who can't get out very often. Is that the sort of branch you mean? Or do you mean a branch of Arthritis Care? I certainly would appreciate the type of moral support a designated club could offer.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Oh dear, here comes the rain again.

Janet :oops:

knuckleduster

Hello Folara

Regret to say my own doctor has the attitude "arthritis? Just get on with it woman". It's my osteopath that keeps me mobile and, although it's expensive, he has kept me on the move for many years. Just a shame I can't get the same treatment when I need it on the NHS. When I needed some extra physio on my replacement hip, I had to wait four months and then just had three sessions.

Have a good weekend.

Janet

[Deleted User]

Hello Janet,
I think I have an idea about what your doctor meant by Musculoskeletal clinic. I am quite sure it is to do with physiotherapy. Not that long ago I saw a lady, who was a Senior MSK (Musculoskeletal) Physiotherapist and worked in the Physiotherapy Department in my hospital.
I hope this solves the mystery
Take care,

salamander

Hi Janet

I was referred to a muscular skeletal clinic when I first got ill (I have RA.) Basically, it is like a triage clinic. You get assessed by a senior specialist physiotherapist who decides what further investigations/treatment you need.

The first time I went I was referred to have physio on my shoulder - pointlessly as it turned out as I have auto immune disease. I then was re-referred a couple of weeks later back to the clinic (for my knees this time!) and was assessed by a physio who realised I was actually quite ill and she referred me 'urgently' to a rheumatology clinic. I got an appointment for 3 months later :shock: and my GP had to argue for an earlier appt where I was admitted straight into hospital.

If you don't have anything serious/urgent, I think they would work quite well. Unfortunately, the fact I couldn't actually walk or lift my arm more than two inches away from my body didn't ring any bells with the first lot. I was extremely ill and probably should have just gone to A&E.

You can get OA in lots of joints. My mother had it everywhere. She was under her GP until the point that a particular joint got so bad she was referred for surgery. However, I believe there has been quite a lot of advances in research and possible treatment. Others might know about it.

hileena111

Hi Janet
If you go to the front page of this website and click what area you are in and then go down the left side if the page {I think :oops: } it should give you names of groups. Where they are etc.
I cant relate to others ...just my own....Its run by a committee {AC members} We meet first Monday of every month, Sometimes its just a social thing, most times we have a speaker....eg rheumatologist, pharmacist or maybe something lighter. We have trips out and meals out. Its nice to know that if you go on a trip you are not going to be trying to run because everyone has arthritis....all in the same boat. If we are sitting down at something......its not unusual for someone to have to get up quietly and move a bit....most of us stiffen.
They also run courses on Challenging Arthritis and Challenging Pain.....very informative.
Hope this helps...if not pm me or ask again
I'm away for a week from tomorrow morning

Love Hileena