Diagnosis

dizzylizzy13
dizzylizzy13 Member Posts: 16
edited 13. Apr 2013, 11:07 in Living with Arthritis archive
Should I accept a diagnosis from a rheumy without him even examining me? I saw a consultant several months ago about my legs. He agreed to do an MRI on my knees and ankles, but I mentioned that I also had recently developed a stiff neck and lower back pain. He didn't even examine me but said that I had cervical spondylosis. He confirmed the diagnosis in a letter to me. The neck pain has since ceased but I do still get lower back stiffness and pain which gets worse the more I do, so at the end of the day causes me the most problems and not first thing in the morning. The rheumy couldn't find much wrong with my knees either other than a little crepitus. The MRI showed severe osteoarthritis of the knee cap and cartilage loss on both knees. I have been referred to a neurologist because of a genetic disease my brother had as I have stiffness of the legs. I had an EMG test and I was told that I have a mild myopathy. There is so much waiting because I had the test last September and I don't get an appointment until this May! I don't think they think it is anything to worry about but I have been left in limbo as to what is going on. Personally I think it has to do with inflammation because I was put on pain killers tramadol which didn't work so they put me on dihydrocodeine which also did no good whatsoever. As I had the diagnosis of osteoarthritis I asked for anti inflammatories and this helped me almost instantly. Before I took this when I went abroad I could hardly walk from what felt like inflammation. I am a lot better on these but not perfect. I was told that all my inflammatory markers have come back normal. The rheumy referred me to a surgeon who is not doing anything because I ultimately need knee replacements but am too young and he wants to try other avenues such a exercise and physio and see me 6 months later. Even though my knees are classed as 'severe' it is the back and stiffness that causes me the most problem.

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Dizzylizzy

    Sounds like you have a lot going on and I am sorry to read this. As you have been diagnosed with mild myopathy that seems to be a very long time to wait until your next appointment. I would have thought it important to find out why you have developed these symptoms so perhaps something could be done about it. Have you thyroid problems?

    I wish I could help more. Would a chat with your GP help at all?

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • dizzylizzy13
    dizzylizzy13 Member Posts: 16
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    thanks for your reply. Yes I do have thyroid problems and am on thyroid medication for this 200 mcg thyroxine (positive thyroid antibodies). The reason I think it may have some inflammatory cause is because I had chemotherapy for early breast cancer last year and noticed I improved almost immediately I was given the treatment and the reason for this I believe is because they give you steroids for 3 days and I felt great for a couple of weeks and then when you are supposed to feel better on cancer treatment, the 3rd week I went down and my problem with my legs returned. Does this make any sense at all?
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Yes, dizzylizzy, it does kind of make sense to me.

    I too am on thyroxine daily since the age of 16 years old after a thyroid op. I took 200mcgs for years but now only take 125mcgs - something to do with age methinks ;)

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.