suspect I have arthritius

rocco
rocco Member Posts: 2
edited 11. Jan 2013, 11:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I have just joined this forum as I would like some thoughts and advice.

I am 38 years old and have problems with my neck shoulders and upper back. I experience complete stiffness in these areas from time to time and am in great pain. I have a locking experience it feels like my neck get locked into a position and I can't move it or at least its very painful to do so. If I keep in it any one position for any length of time is locks and get painful. so ultimately its painful to move and painful not to move.

I have always just thought of this as some kind of neck stiffness or old injury of some kind but now I am beginning to thing it might be something more... like arthritis.

I would like to ask some advice from people in this community before a see a doctor as in the past I have been sent away with anti inflammatories and nothing is really mentioned. (on one occasion I did have an xray on my back but nothing showed up.

Could someone tell me if this is in line with symptoms experienced by an arthritis sufferer? I am in constant pain no matter what I do and it comes an goes unpredictably. usually last for a week or two before disappearing again.

Would be grateful for any insight!

Much Thanks

Comments

  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Although we all put up with this disease ; we are not medically trained doctors . You must see the professionals for any kind of diagnosis , good luck . Jillyb
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet and I'm sorry to read about your troubles. My arthritis began totally differently and none of us are medically qualified to advise you about what is what, so my best suggestion is this: keep a diary of your symptoms, what hurts when and where, what helps and hinders, tiredness levels etc so that when you do to the doctor (which you should do because he is best-placed to help) he will have a good picture of what is happening with you.

    GPs deal with osteo-arthritis, if he thinks it is a different form or some other type of problem then he should refer you to the appropriate consultant at your local hospital. If it is OA then the usual treatment is anti-inflammatories and pain relief but the fact that you say your symptoms someitmes clear up completely is not comparable with OA: I have it in a few joints and I am in constant pain, have been for years and will continue to be so. I wish you well and I hope you can find an answer soon to what is going on with you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,763
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello rocco. Welcome from me, too, but all we can say, as non-medically qualified people, is that it may or may not be arthritis. I'm sure there are lots of other things it could be.

    If it is osteo-arthritis, your GP will probably prescribe pain relief and perhaps refer you for physio. This helps by making the supporting muscles stronger. If your GP suspects an auto-immune form of arthritis, he may refer you to a rheumatologist. Please let us know how you get on.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi rocco

    welcome im new to site to ,great place to get (arther) related talk about.
    as others have said talk to your gp, and keep a diary( day to day) what happens. I do thanks 4 that DD.. good luck rocco...mike26 :roll:
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello rocco
    And a warm welcome from me,the others have given you some good advice, if you are still worried please see your GP, I was like you didnt want to bother him, but all my xrays were clearly showing damage.
    If you could get referred for a MRI this shows up far more than xrays.
    I do wish you well and let us know how you get on x
    Love
    Barbara
  • elainebadknee
    elainebadknee Bots Posts: 3,703
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Rocco

    Welcome to the forum...

    As others have said nobody on here is qualified to give you answers you need, that needs to come from a doctor or specialist...If sounds as if it needs examining and diagnosing...If its constant it needs help...
    I dont know what you do for a living but you could look at certain aspects of that....Its not going to go away so get that appointment booked ASAP!

    Good luck

    Elainexx
    rocco wrote:
    Hi, I have just joined this forum as I would like some thoughts and advice.

    I am 38 years old and have problems with my neck shoulders and upper back. I experience complete stiffness in these areas from time to time and am in great pain. I have a locking experience it feels like my neck get locked into a position and I can't move it or at least its very painful to do so. If I keep in it any one position for any length of time is locks and get painful. so ultimately its painful to move and painful not to move.

    I have always just thought of this as some kind of neck stiffness or old injury of some kind but now I am beginning to thing it might be something more... like arthritis.

    I would like to ask some advice from people in this community before a see a doctor as in the past I have been sent away with anti inflammatories and nothing is really mentioned. (on one occasion I did have an xray on my back but nothing showed up.

    Could someone tell me if this is in line with symptoms experienced by an arthritis sufferer? I am in constant pain no matter what I do and it comes an goes unpredictably. usually last for a week or two before disappearing again.

    Would be grateful for any insight!

    Much Thanks
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