Finally got a referral to the hospital.

sbolam

Its only taken 2 years but I have managed to get my GP to refer me to the Hospital. things are looking up for 2013 :P

mig

Good luck with appointment.Mig

dreamdaisy

That is good news! Which department will you be seeing? DD

barbara12

Aw 2 years is such along time...good luck with the appointment and I hope you get some answers x

sbolam

oethopaedics is where he is minded to send me to get a firm diagnosis after I have moaned and groaned and complained and badgered. although he is telling me its OA I would like it confirmed at least then I can put it down on all the forms knowing its correct.

dreamdaisy

GPs are usually the ones to diagnose OA as they are the ones who treat it. I hope that the ortho consultant will be able to help you further - please let us know when the app comes through, yes? Good luck! DD

stickywicket

I hope it goes well for you.

sbolam

I must admit I was beginning to feel like, oh your have OA take these and go away your too young come back when your much older.

dreamdaisy

There is not much to be done for OA. The GP will give you pain relief and maybe an anti-inflammatory and that's it because that's it. It's not like RA, PsA or AS etc where strong meds can be prescribed. When one is younger they are very reluctant to operate to replace joints for fear that they will wear out and revising them is a much harder op. I still have another 18 months or so to go before I may be considered for new knees, meanwhile things continue to deteriorate. For my PsA it's strong meds, for my OA it's PUASU - put up and shut up. It's not easy, is it? I hope you have a better outcome with your app than I had with mine which was come back when you're 55. DD

sbolam

O....M....G that would mean I have another 14 years of this before they will do anything ..oh well.

lupin15

Must admit i do get somewhat confused as there is so many arthurs around and do wonder how people get the correct tittle/s for their conditions. I know that RA can be picked up by blood tests but it all seems to be a bit hit or miss. Hope everything goes well for you at your appointment.. i personal would write down all my aches/pains/ask about treatment/meds and ask a bucket loads of question. let us all know how it goes.

Stigger

It took me two years too. I asked and asked for a referral, for a steroid injection, some pain management. When I finally badgered them into it (through shame I think), the orthopaedic surgeon said it was too late to do anything but replace my hip (now on waiting list). He said if I'd been seen earlier, I could have had steroid injections etc but there is no cartilage left now and the damage is extensive and beyond help. He said no one gets referred now due to budget cuts. Given that in is in my left hip and my right leg was amputated at 16, you would have thought they (GP's) would have considered the impact of their actions, or lack of them ... but no. So I do sympathise. Although it makes me rather cross.

sbolam

Well I had my appointment today and the doctor was so rude no manors what so ever. Very rough when he examined me. My partner who came in with me could not believe it. On top of that he tells me I dont have OA because I am too young. So off to have more bloods taken and yet another xray. Still back in 4 weeks

Stephen.

Stigger

He sounds awful and quite wrong. OA can strike any any age. Let's hope the X rays show it. Don't give up.