Newbie

Littleblondie66

Hi I'm 55 yrs and suffering from arthritis for about 10yrs. I've not been diagnosed as yet, everytime I've been to the GP they have done blood tests and said they are all normal. The past couple of years I've had really bad flare ups and it effects multiple joints. So I contacted my GP yesterday as I am fed up with this now, I also have COPD so I'm coping with a lot at the moment. GP explained he thinks I have osteoarthritis as the lasts blood tests were normal and he'd going to repeat these in a week but thinks they will be normal. He is going to prescribe some pain killers in the meantime. At the moment I have swollen feet and ankles GP says this is fluid has anyone else had this with arthritis?

chrisb

Hi @Littleblondie66  

Welcome to the Versus Arthritis forum. 

I can understand why you feel fed up given the combination of flare ups and coping with COPD. I hope that the painkillers give you some respite whilst you await your full diagnosis. 

You may find the following links to our website useful in providing insight into OA of the feet and ankles:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-foot-and-ankle/

Also, here are some exercises targeted at the feet which you may find beneficial:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-toes-feet-and-ankles/

I’m sure you’ll receive plenty of useful feedback from forum members. 

Best Wishes

ChrisB (Moderator)

Mike1

Blood tests do not reveal OA, you need x-rays and/or an MRI scan, ask your GP to set these up.

bosh

Hi @Littleblondie66 , nice to meet you! My foot got really swollen, I had x-rays and MRIs , as @Mike1 mentioned and docs diagnosed psoriatic arthritis…but it did take a long time for the docs to take me seriously, good luck, I believe things improve eventually and tc.