advice needed

maggsy

Hi I,m new to the forum i did post a message on chit chat but have now realised it should of prob been posted here. I blame my moment of stupideness on strong pain killers. I was diagnosed with QA in both knees hands and both feet back in 2011. In oct my symptoms started to get worse i now find walking ad doing daily tasks difficult i did have inserts fitted in my shoes in 2011 which seemed to help at the time but now they seem to be making the QA worse. i went and saw my GP a few weeks ago and explained about the pain in my Joints i was told just to keep taking the painkillers co codamol and now also oral morphine and to keep taking krill oil capsules, so deflated i left the surgery, the pain got even worse so i went back and saw another doctor, who listened a bit more and has requested an xray for my right knee which i thought was stange as she didn't want any xrays of the other joints. i have since also spoken to the mobility centre which made the inserts to see if they could rec anything to try and help with the pain, they suggested that i use crutches to try and take some pressure off the joints, i was wondering if anyone else has this sort of problem and if they have any tips to give me, as the xray results won't be back to next week.
Thanks
Maggsy

lizzieuk1

Hi magsy,
Have you tried using supports for the painful joints? They help keep the joints warm and support the joint so stressing the muscles around them less ideally you only use them when v painful as you tend to get muscle wasting if they're on all the time but sounds like you could use some help at the moment. Hydrotherapy can also be relieving so perhaps try a spa - provided ur health is suitable for it of course. Foot spas can be good if u can't use a full body tub,
Hope that helps.x

Should add to check your orthotics are still OK as they do need replacing from time to time.

dreamdaisy

Hello, there's no need to apologise, it's easily done. I've answered on the Chit-chat one and said your thread might be moved to here so don't be surprised if it is! If I was clever I would do some computery magic to repeat my answer here but I'm not. :oops: I vaguely know which buttons to press to do the basics and that's it. DD

stickywicket

Hello from me too. By QA do you mean OA? I do have OA but it's the result of years of RA. OA does occur in multiple joints but, if you've never been referred to a rheumatologist (They treat the auto-immune versions of arthritis) it might be worth asking just so that you could rule those out. OA meds would do little for them.

I agree with Lizzieuk1 that, if the orthotic insoles are old, your feet (and other joints above them) could have changed shape so that new insoles might be needed. It is true, though, that walking aids will take the pressure off.

maggsy

Hi Stickywicket, yes i did mean OA i have been seen by rheumotoligist but my blood test for RA was neg. i did wonder if it was RA as its both knees, feet and both hands which normally does not happen with OA. i have asked to be re referred back to consultant but i think GP is waiting for X rays results.
Maggsy

lizzieuk1

I'm sure the rheumy will go through things with you but obv there's seronegative to consider swell.

barbara12

Hi Maggsy
I have just replied on your other thread , just to say I am glad they have moved it for you.
And dont forget you have us to talk to now x

stickywicket

maggsy wrote:

Hi Stickywicket, yes i did mean OA i have been seen by rheumotoligist but my blood test for RA was neg. i did wonder if it was RA as its both knees, feet and both hands which normally does not happen with OA. i have asked to be re referred back to consultant but i think GP is waiting for X rays results.
Maggsy

RA gives a positive blood test but there are versions of auto-immune arthritis which are sero-negative in blood tests. Many people on here have them and they can be much harder to diagnose. I don't think (but I'm no doc) that the x-rays would help on that count. In your shoes I'd be pushing for another rheumatology appointment because, although OA meds will help on the pain front, if you do have an auto-immune type of arthritis it needs the meds that only a rheumatologist can prescribe.