A big thank you to you all!!

purpleowl

Hi guys and a big thank you to this forum for educating me. Before I found this AC site I was a total ignoramus. It's a long story but the short version is I have had PSA in my hips for 7 years but never been offered a blood test let alone seen a rheumie! :x

I am so angry about the whole affair! I have an appointment later today to see my GP. I think the confusion has come because I am on a very lose dose of Mtx which controls my Psoriasis coupled with the fact that I saw a hip surgeon 7 years ago privately. It's no excuse though I am very angry and am now wondering if the arthritis I have in my spine is Psa and not OA!!

I'm taking my OH with me to GP as I can't trust myself not to have a melt down :shock:

Would like some support please,

Trish x

dreamdaisy

I can understand your feelings, my PsA went unrecognised as an inflammatory arthritis for seven years. I would say one thing, however: don't blame your hip trouble on PsA because that is probably not the culprit. GPs know a little about a lot, they deal with OA but not the auto-immune kinds. It's good that you have been on meth because that will have helped to slow its progress. I will be thinking of you this afternoon and I hope your app goes as well as possible. DD

purpleowl

Thanks DD,

I can''t really blame any one person so will just see what GP comes up with and the anger is diminishing now but it was quite a shock. I feel so much better for having a rant.

Many thanks for your comments and good wishes,

Trish xx

dreamdaisy

That's true, we cannot blame anyone for what has or has not happened. I believed my then GP who told me that my fat left knee would sort itself out - now I take anything I'm told with a huge pinch of salt and am not afraid to chase up when I need further information or confirmation. I will be chasing something very soon because I haven't heard anything about a recent appointment. DD

stickywicket

I'll be there/am there :oops: too, Trish.

Arthritis is a complex thing for most of us and, although I can understand your anger and frustration, it's virtually impossible to say 'If A had happened then B wouldn't have'. Some of us have OA as a result of untreated auto-immune arthritis but others just hit the jackpot despite all the right things happening. It's a lottery. We are where we are and it's no good us deciding we'd prefer to be somewhere else

I hope it goes well. Please let us know the outcome.

kentishlady

Hope all goes well for your appointment later. Beryl

Boomer13

Best wishes purpleowl, I hope your appointment goes well.

Anna

villier

Hope your appointment goes well Trish and you get a result.................Marie x

suzygirl

I am a bit late, but really wish you well for your appt. Good idea to take OH with you. You need to know what is what now and get the correct treatment.

mike26

hi purpleowl
sorry to hear you have PsA,
I started with skin psorisis first then followed by PsA 6 years later,
and i diddnt know nothing about the PsA arthritis side of it this was a big suprise to me.eventuley my doctor refered me to a roommy and was
found to have PsA.
I couldnt understand why i was getting slower,tyred,and pain in joints
eventuley i had to give up work age 60.
now on methotrexate,lefuionmide,Inject,and about to start TNFs.
soon you get on the meds the better releif for you
good luck.
mike26 :roll:

barbara12

I will be in there for you....and hope the appointment goes well x

thistlegirl

My mum tells the story of 5 year old me saying rather loudly "Doctors know nothing!" after I caught chicken pox and couldn't be in the nativity show, bad immune system even then.

I have grown up a bit since then but I don't think I have ever had the faith that the doctors are there to cure as I have not experienced it with this horrible disease. I hope for improvement and I nag til I get it. I once pretty much got the response "well you can walk unaided, what more do you want? " I was mid 20s, I wanted to work and have enough energy to socialise every now and then, not be on enough tablets that I almost rattled whem I "walked". That was when I started writing my list of questions/demands/what are the other options you have for me if this doesn't work.

I hope your appointment went ok and you have some next steps now like an rhumy appointment, scans and tests if needed. If you still are not sure go back and ask for clarification, glad your other half could be there for you.
Sorry I am late to this post but will be here if you need me

Jenny

purpleowl

Hi guys,

many thanks for all your support. I feel really daft but big misunderstandings all around with GP, I do not have Psi thankfully. If only the communication was better!! :oops:

I see spine consultant on Thursday so have many questions for him.

Hope you are all keeping well(ish)?

Trish xx

bubbadog

Glad the news was fairly good meaning you don't have Psi, I know Dr's like to blind us with all their jargon and words we don't understand! I'm lucky to have a G.P I get along with well and she explains things in language I understand.
You should ask for Pocket Duties for Thursday (Post asking), if you don't know about Pocket Duties is where we say we will be in your pocket meaning we will be thinking of you and are there to support you in mind. It does help and ease the worry! I'll be in your Pocket for Thursday if you ask!

purpleowl

Thank you bubbadog, yes please!

Trish xx

stickywicket

That's good news, purpleowl. It's always better not to have stuff I hope Thursday's appt goes well.