Diagnosis

dizzylizzy13

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.

elnafinn

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

dizzylizzy13

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

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