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Fizzgig52
Fizzgig52 Member Posts: 2
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:08 in Living with arthritis

Hi. I have osteoarthritis in my spine, shoulder and hand/wrist/thumb. My GP won’t refer me to a rheumatologist as my blood work always comes back normal. My mother and sister have fibromyalgia and I also have symptoms but again have not been able to get a diagnosis.

any ideas or support would be appreciated

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  • anneb82
    anneb82 Member Posts: 317

    Hello @Fizzgig52

    Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us. I hope that you will fine it a safe and friendly space to continue sharing.

    So you have Osteoarthritis in your spine, shoulder and hand/wrist/thumb. Your mother and sister both have Fibromyalgia which you also have some symptoms of but your GP will not refer you to a rheumatologist as your blood work always comes back normal. Looking for advise, ideas and support from the other members.

    Sounds like it is a complicated situation. I wondered if your GP was aware of your family history, if not, it may be an idea to let him know and let him know the reasons why you are concerned. If the GP is aware, would you be happy to ask for another opinion? Or maybe see if you can talk to a different GP and go through them instead. You do have a right to a second opinion with who ever you see.

    Ive attached a bit o information below with regards to pain as well as Fibromyalgia and I do hope that it is interesting to you. Im sure once other members have seen your post, they will add their own opinion below.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/fibromyalgia/

    Please do let us know how you are getting on and please do continue to carry on posting within the community.

    Take care

    Anne (Moderator)

  • wazz42
    wazz42 Member Posts: 233

    I have OA in lots of joints too, and also fibromyalgia. I did just what Anne suggested, I looked at the list of GP's at my surgery and went down the list until I found one that was 'on my wavelength' with my chronic condition. It is really hard to do that right now I know, but maybe in a little while things will be more back to normal and it could work for you.

    Chemists are good too, at which pain meds you can take together, I find I take one as a regular dose every day and then when I have more pain I add in paracetamol as the two drugs are safe to use together.

    There are good exercises for hand and wrist here too, go to Community above, then Living with arthritis and then Let's move. I find exercise good for me, though I mainly have issues with my neck at the moment.

    xx

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