please be patient with me....new to this

bridesmum

I have had fibromyalgia for about 11 years and it has gradually got worse not better. Any pain I have told my gp about is always put down to fibro. I finally went to see my gp last tuesday about painful buttocks!! I have been suffering with awful pain in my buttock/back of thighs for a couple of months and presumed it was fibro but couldn't stand it any longer. She sent me for x-rays on my lower spine and right hip, went back to see her for the results on friday to be told that I had arthritis in my lower spine and right hip. I had already been dx with osteo arthritis in my left knee. Last year one of my blood tests came back showing pernicious anaemia which my gp couldn't understand as the same bloods showed no anaemia, all the bloods I have had over the last several years have shown an inflamatory marker but nothing was taken any further. As I have previously said I know virtually nothing about any type of arthritis so would appreciate any advice. Would the fact that arthris has shown on x-ray mean it has to be osteoarthritis? How would they know if it was any other type of arthritis? I'm now wondering if any or all of my pain is fibro or is it arthritis? How is rhumatoid or any other type of arthritis diagnosed? Should I ask to see a specialist and if so what kind?
Sorry for such a long rambling list of questions, I look forward to someone putting me straight! Deb

barbara12

Hello bridesmum and welcome to the forum
Don't think I will be much help, but one thing I do know is that RA shows up fluid around the joints not sure if inflammatory does the same..they are both down to your immune system..OA show up damaged in the joints, now come the complex bit you can have both..hope someones comes along with more info very soon.

dreamdaisy

Hello, I am not new to this malarkey but I am having a rough evening so cannot help as much as I would wish. I hope to be back tomorrow, if things are at least a little better, but in the meantime I am sure those who are in the know will be along soon. I wish you well. DD

Boomer13

Hello;

It sounds to me like you would benefit from a consult with a rheumatologist, especially if you have an elevated inflammatory marker in your blood, plus all your pain. You could ask your GP for a referral.

I think a rheumatologist may be able to look at all your symptoms, x-rays and bloodwork and answer your questions regarding arthritis and which kind, or kinds you have.

Take care, and do post back to update us on how you are doing.

Anna

bubbadog

Hi Deb, Welcome to Arthritis Care forum, my advice would be ask your G.P to refer you to a Rheumatologist so you can be best advised what needs doing and what medication would help you. As they can do more for you than what your G.P can do. I hope that will be of some help for you.

villier

Hi Deb

Welcome to the forum, you have been given some good advice there, as it is OA I have I am afraid I have nothing more to add, lets hope you can get sorted out soon..............take care ................Marie xx

bridesmum

I had a telephone consultation with my gp this morning. She was quite sniffy with me and couldn't understand why I want a rheumatolgy referral. I told her that I have had inflamitory markers in my blood tests several times which she didn't agree with. She said she will look back at my previous results and order some more blood tests for me. I was getting anxious before she rang as I knew she would be off with me, she doesn't like me to have too much an opinion about my health.

Airwave!

if you have OA then you get treatment for OA, with no more investigations unless problems point you to surgery or RA. In a perfect world you would get lots of TLC and consultations but not at present. OA is a problem without a home in specialisations. If no surgery or RA then GPs treat.

The present treatment for OA does not change for more joints just the strength of painkillers and all GPs will go through the type and strengths in a logical and methodical way.

Yes, I have heard of other treatments offered but they are not the norm as far as I know. Keep smiling.

Airwave!

I should have ended with, 'if you have RA then you get forwarded onto the rheumies'. 8)

Mat48

There are other types of arthritis which can be mistaken for OA and Fibro I believe - the main one I know of is Ankylosing Spondylitis. I'm not sure how this is diagnosed - it maybe they have already ruled it out for you from your X-rays - but I think your GP should be prepared to explain this to you not to just dismiss your anxieties. My GPs don't appear to like it when I know too much either but that's just tough. They want us to take more responsibility for our health so they can't really complain when we do just that! :roll:
Mat x

DebbieT

Hki & welcome,

I have Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis (Psa), Osteo Arthritis & Severe Fibromyalgia (Fm) too.

I was diagnosed (dx) by my rheumatologist for all 3 conditions. GPs can dx Fm & some types of arthritis.
My rheumy checked my tender points & wen she had reactions (strong ones) to 11 out of 11 & combined that with my history of 'growing pains', depression, real issues with insomnia etc etc etc she made the dx. I've since had the remaining 7 tender points checked & they all react severely!! If you had a similar experience to that I'd image ure dx was correct but I'm no Dr.

I think your GP may well mean to test you for the Rheumatoid Factor (RF), it's a blood test & I would imagine ure crp (inflammatory markers) will be checked again. If the RF is negative doesn't mean you haven't got arthritis or that's it's not an auto immune type either, it's to try n rule in or out RA. It's quite possible it's Fm & OA so you may only ever need to see ure GP if it turns out you have an auto immune type then a rheumy will definitely be a part of your care!!

I think you should stick to ure guns unless ure GP can conclusively say it's OA only.

Take care & good luck.

Xx xX

bubbadog

If you don't get anywhere with your G.P and you don't have a good relationship with her you have the right to get a 2nd opinion from another G.P and also change your G.P. I did that and have a great G.P now who I have a excellent relationship with. It's worth considering.

bridesmum

Thanks for all your replies, I will keep you updated.Deb