Goodbye Amitriptyline and which Arthritis?

purpleowl

Good morning guys,

I hope you are all having a good day today?

I am here to pick your very knowledgeable brains again. I have had a horrible month on Amitriptyline, I persevered with it on my GPs insistence but she finally took me off it last week and now I am trying Gabapentin, so fingers crossed.

I am not very up on all the different arthritis but after reading your postings I am worried that I may have more than one arthur which has not been diagnosed. I definitely have OA in my spine.

About 8 years ago I had a couple of episodes where I couldn't put my foot down without horrible pain, GP sent me to a consultant(who I saw privately, when my husband had work insurance) who diagnosed arthur(I'm not sure which one) and told me that I would benefit from Methotrexate which he said he couldn't prescribe. At this time I had also started with Psoriasis so was another drug so I went back to my dermatologist and relayed all that had been said. She sent me to another consultant who she worked with to get me assessed for the Methotrexate. By the time I saw her the episode had long passed and she pulled me about about and said there was nothing she could find as I was very supple! (She so had a thing because I had seen another consultant privately). So they wouldn't put me on Methotrexate.

Another 6 months later the Psoriasis was no longer being controlled so she finally put me on Methotrexate and I have had no further episodes with my hip.

My question is which arthur do you think I have in my hip(occasionally I struggle to lift my foot) and do you think I am likely to have Psoriatic arthur. Should I be seeing a rheumatologist?

I am going to see the dermatologist tomorrow and will go armed with questions so hopefully she will refer me if need be.

Sorry I've droned on, I love the way you all support each other. I think the pocket thing is a wonderful idea. I don't get involved too much with the posts as I am not very up on Arthur issues yet but hope to get to know you all better.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice,

Trish

DebbieT

Hi ya,

Diving in is the quickest way to learn, I've learned loads since I joined in April

First things first. Ask for a blood test for Rheumatoid Factor & CRP levels (inflammatory markers) *ESR isn't as reliable apparently & is no longer used in my area.*

Ure GP should be ok about doing these bloods, explain you're concerned you may have Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) in your hip & they may even send you for an xray they'll also know of other blood tests I haven't mentioned.

I have PsA & Plaque Psoriasis etc etc :? :roll: I too can't lift my foot, I've just explained that on another post, because of it in my hips. It's much worse in my right one. I have to slide/drag my right leg wen my hip seizes up. That's the only way I can describe it!!

I've only had visible swelling once or twice in 6 yrs of being diagnosed, so don't assume if you can't see swelling there isn't any. Mine occurs mainly to my tendons & ligaments, that has caused damage to bone.

Good luck & keep us posted.xxx

stickywicket

I don't think any of us can tell you which type of arthritis you have, purpleowl. At best all we can do is guess but Debbie's right. Ask to see a rheumatologist (Maybe the dermatologist could arrange it) because you do need a DMARD if you have an auto-immune kind and only a rheumatologist can tell you for certain.

Unfortunately, it's not necessarily an either/or thing with arthritis :roll: Many of us achieve 'both/and'

As for supporting each other - yes, I think it's a great strength of the forum and please don't feel that, because you are fairly new, you have nothing worth saying. The most helpful posts are probably the simplest ones of encouragement and well-wishes.

barbara12

Hello Trish
We are all so different..I get on very well with Amitriptyline...it really helps me to sleep...the gabapentin I take for nerve pain from my back ...trouble is I find my memory is so bad since taking it...mind you many will not notice ant different...good luck with everything

purpleowl

Many thanks ladies for your input it is very much appreciated.

Trish

frogmorton

Am I right in thinking that PsA has negative rheumatoid factor??

Still worth asking for bloods anyway I think and in your shoes l would be asking to see a rheumatologist too. MTX is a DMARD

I took the max does of amatrip to no avail, but got on fine with amitriptyline low does 25mg.

I hope the gabapentins help you loads

love to you

Toni xxx

trepolpen

Hi Trish

I agree with others & ask your Docs to do some checks like Rheumatiod factor & inflammatory markers ( CRP & ESR ) , about 80% of people with rheumatiod arthritis have RF , but think you will come back negitive , & then you need to be refered to a rheumatologist to be checked for Psoriatic Arthritis

I was told by my Consultant that RA dont affect our hips but you still proper diagnosis & only a rheumatologist can give out the drugs like Methotrexate so make sure you get refered

purpleowl

Many thanks Toni and Trepolpen. Is Methotrexate the drug that they would prescribe for PsA, I am already on 10mg which is keeping my psoriasis at bay?

frogmorton

They might well do Purpleowl. It is one they often do.

They could always 'tweak' the dose if needed of course.

Love

Toni xx