I may or may not be living with arthritis, apparently

mrsshazbat

After more tests on my very painful hands (x-rays, bloods) there is no inflammation or anything untoward therefore it's unlikely to be rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis (the latter, because my psoriasis in itself isn't bad any more). My GP leaned slightly towards osteo (or as she called it, wear-and-tear arthritis) but can't/won't say for certain. As I ache in all major joints from the neck down, I'm seeing a musculo-skeletal specialist GP next month.

She did a few things with my hands and there is no strength or resistance in my right one at all. I imagine there are newborn babies out there with more strength, dexterity and grip than I have.

mrsshazbat

Someone has suggested it might be fibromyalgia - certainly having read up on it, a lot of my symptoms match up, and not just the aches and pains. My GP also prescribed me folic acid, and I'm taking 50mg thyroxine for a slightly underactive thyroid.

dreamdaisy

Arthritis can be very hard to diagnose, sometimes the OA kind is easier because it shows up on on Xrays etc, but the auto-types (and I think fibro comes under that group) can be far harder to determine. This new GP may be just the one for you and I certainly hope that proves to be the case. DD

stickywicket

I hope the musculo-skeletal guy can help.

mrsshazbat

Thanks both. I doubt I'll see the same GP more than once, without having to wait forever for an appointment (or take time off work to fit in); it would be lovely to be consistent.

shandy4greenday

I am having similar problems too, mine is with my hands especially my right hand too and I also get other aches in other parts of my body all the time they move around even though my worst pain is in my hands,thumbs and wrists.I am finally getting to see a specialist in February I have no idea what type I have as this is all new to me,I am not even sure if my medication helps or not as I get good and bad days so I can't tell if it's just a good day or they are working. I can really sypathise with you at the moment I wish you luck x

mrsshazbat

So now things have come to a head and I'm signed off work, partly with stress and partly because of my joint problems. I guess one is influencing the other (there are other issues both personal and work-related at play as well) but yes, it's dragging me down.

frogmorton

I do hope you are feeling better now at least a little - that maybe work-pressure will help the other issues.

I wish you a peaceful Christmas and hope that 2013 they will finally find out what is happening for you



love and gentle hugs

Toni xx

scozzie

Hiya

Hope you're not feeling bad. Just a thought about OA showing up on X-rays ... I was by told my rheumy that not everyone who shows painful symptoms for OA will have it show up on X-rays, while others who show evidence of OA on the X-rays may be painful free. Hope that makes sense!

Personally, I have some painful joints that show no evidence of "wear and tear", some that are worn (as seen on X-ray) and hurt and at least one joint, my knee, that shows all the evidence of wear (creaking when walking up and downstairs) but is very rarely painful.

Good luck
Scozzie

Colin1

You should ask your GP no Tell your GP you want to see a consultant
Colin

Mumof1

I hope that you are feeling better now, could you not request to see the same Doctor again?

I had a fantastic Doctor who really sorted me out with xrays, blood tests then refered me to rheumy after years of being told I had pulled muscles etc, I was quite upset when he left the practice as he was the only one who had took me serious until then.

mrsshazbat

Thanks for the replies guys, and Merry Christmas to you all.

I'm trying to stick with the same GP but it's a nghtmare with so many partners in a busy practice. The GP I'm seeing on 15th Jan is a musculo-skeletal specialist so will be different again. It comes and goes at the moment; right now despite having taken my second painkiller of the day, my joints all ache. Hubby and I are trying to get out and do more exercise but i wasn't affected when we went out on Thursday, although today's walk was further. But we only walked one way and caught a tram back to where our car was parked. I'm not that unfit that walking usually bothers me, so don't think it's that.

I've had x-rays and blood tests so don't think that's going any further right now. I'm certainly not feeling up to returning to work yet; whilst I've been signed off for 3 weeks, I was only due to work for 5 days out of the 15 so it's not really like I've been 'off' anyway as work closes for Xmas.

Thanks for the advice, and I'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year!

tjt6768

Wishing you the very best of luck with everything hun

mrsshazbat

So today I saw the musculo-skeletal specialist GP and he's referring me to a rheumatologist - he says asap. Although my back isn't giving me any problems at the moment, he focused on that quite a bit and pressed on my coccyx and spine a bit, pressed on my hips and knees, flexed my hands/wrists and elbow.

He also said that while my other GP had said my psoriasis isn't bad enough now that I probably haven't got psoriatic arthorpathy, it's still a possibility. Rheumatism/RA also runs in the family; my grandmother, one of her sisters and their mother all had it.

In other random news, my brother has also just been diagnosed with scoliosis!

stickywicket

It's good that you are being referred. Either you will now get the appropriate treatment or some possibilities can be ruled out. I hope the appointment, when it comes, goes well.

dreamdaisy

I don't have a great deal of trouble with psoriasis yet I have that form of arthritis: it took so long to be diagnosed simply because my skin wasn't obliging enough to produce any until October 2006 (although it had been present on my scalp in '97 when the arthritis began, only with hindsight do I recognise it as that). Us auto-types are tricky beggars at times! I'm pleased you've seen the musculo-skeletal chap, he sounds to be on the ball and he's doing the right thing in referring you. I hope you hear soon. DD

woodbon

Sounds like you've got a good GP practice! I'm glad you'r being referred quickly and hope all goes well for you! I'd say fingers crossed, but it hurts! :roll: LOVE sUE

mrsshazbat

I'm 40 and had psoriasis since I was 5 or thereabouts. Psoriatic arthropathy was diagnosed a good few years ago, and has come and gone over time. It just seems to have settled in this time.