New to this - referred to rheumatology

Sillyshoulder
Sillyshoulder Member Posts: 5
edited 16. Jun 2014, 10:32 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone,
Just looking for a little advice.
I'm a mum to2 young girls, I'm 30 years old, for the last 2-3 years I've been in pain every day.
It started shortly after the birth of my second daughter, I developed pain in my right shoulder. I've been to my gp countless times and been dismissed saying muscular, injury etc etc eventually referred to ortho last year, seen a few times and discharged saying there's nothing they could do. During the last year the pain has gotten worse, I've been to a&e and my gp numerous times. It's now spread to my right arm to my elbow. My neck and I have a large unslightly bump at the end of clavicle as well as neck, sterum and lower back pain. O and altered sensations down my right leg. I've lost count of the different types of painkillers I've been given, none work. The pain keeps me up at night and I'm so stuff down my right side. Eventually I was re referred to ortho who done a ct scan and have referred to rheumatology. I'm pretty angry it's taken this long and I've been dismissed at least 20 times, at times it's unbearable. The ct showed scorlosis (?) of my shoulder, clavicle and sterum ? I think he didn't rally tell me, that's what I read off the screen. What can I expect now? Do they suspect arthritis tehn if I've been referred to rheumatology? I'm hoping it's not another 4 month wait for an appointment. :(

Comments

  • Slosh
    Slosh Member Posts: 3,194
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I know scoliosis is a curveture of the spine and can cause significant pain. It is treated initially with a brace and depending on the degree of curvature and if it is worsening then surgery may be an option.
    I had to look into this last year when planning support for a pupil with this. I can't remember the address but I know there is a Scoliosis charity, a similar thing to this who have lots of useful information and resources on their website and who were also very helpful when I phoned them. I am sure a google search woukd track them down. Don't know if this is helpful or not but good luck.
    He did not say you will not be storm tossed, you will not be sore distressed, you will not be work weary. He said you will not be overcome.
    Julian of Norwich
  • Sillyshoulder
    Sillyshoulder Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think I spelt it wrong - sclerosis? Think it's bone hardening and increased density - abnormal extra bone growth?
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello sillyshoulder and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you had to find us and you seem to have had a hard time of it for a while. Unfortunately, we're not docs and we can't do diagnoses.

    Scoliosis is, as far as I'm aware, where the spine is misaligned but I'm sure Slosh knows more than I about it. It might be that you have this but I don't think it affects shoulders or arms except insofar as we all try to 'spare' affected joints and, in doing so, often give ourselves more pain elsewhere.

    I'm not sure why you are being referred to a rheumatologist as, assuming you do have arthritis, yours sounds more likely to be osteo which is normally treated by GPs with anti- inflammatory meds and pain relief whereas rheumatologists deal with auto-immune forms of arthritis. (I have both.) It might be that they are being as thorough as possible in view of all you've been through.

    I don't know how long you'll have to wait for an appointment. It varies between trusts. If you do prove to have an auto-immune form of arthritis then you will be prescribed a disease modifying med (DMARD). If you have osteo then the rheumatologist will refer you back to your GP. Unfortunately, with any form of arthritis, we have to accommodate our lives to the pain. It's not easy which is why this forum is so valuable.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Sillyshoulder
    Sillyshoulder Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I misspelled it - not scolosis - it's sclerosis. Bone hardening and abnormal bone growth on my up clavicle and sternum. Arthritic changes too. My spine is straight :)
  • Slosh
    Slosh Member Posts: 3,194
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again.
    I have osteoarthritis and my referral was made to an orthapedic specialist.
    It's been a while since I had to look into scoliosis but I do remember that the pupil involved had a lot of pain and as part of her support we gave her things such as a writing slope, and a special lumbar support for her chair. She also found it hard to write for long periods. I'm afraid I can't remember any more details about how it affected her, she never really complained and her parents weren't easy to work with. Sorry I can't be of anymore help.
    He did not say you will not be storm tossed, you will not be sore distressed, you will not be work weary. He said you will not be overcome.
    Julian of Norwich
  • Sillyshoulder
    Sillyshoulder Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I meant sclerosis - it bone hardening and abnormal dense growth. That's why my collarbone is all lumpy and painful. My sterum is affected too.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I really don't know why you are being referred to a rheumatologist but I hope he / she can help.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright