Unable to see a Rheumatologist

beverleyclare59

My GP thinks that I have psoriatic arthritis but after X-ray of my hands and blood tests have just had a text saying it is only wear and tear. So exhausted from being in continuous pain in my back, hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Try to walk everyday and eat a healthy diet but ibuprofen and gels don’t help.

HelenS

Hi @beverleyclare59,

Welcome to the online community, and thank you for sharing.

So, your GP thinks that you may have psoriatic arthritis, but following some x-rays and tests it has now been diagnosed as wear and tear. I'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain, it can be exhausting living with constant pain, but there are things that can help.

Wear and tear is a term that is often used to describe osteoarthritis, and we have lots of information on ways you can manage your pain on our website. I've included some links below.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/

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

You also might want to post on our Living with Arthritis forum as this is where a lot of our members go for advice.

Hopefully you've found this useful, please let us know how you get on

Helen x

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/57894/unable-to-see-a-rheumatologist

Hi @beverleyclare59

I may well be wrong but I thought x-rays didn't normally give as good an indication of inflammatory arthritis. When I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2020 I was given x-rays, ultrasound scans and MRI scans as well as blood tests, physical examinations and personal and family history of psoriasis to come to a diagnosis of PsA. The x-rays showed osteoarthritis in my knee ( from an old football injury requiring meniscus removal) but the ultrasounds showed inflammation in my hands, shoulders and foot which the MRIs confirmed. The blood tests didn't show raised rheumatoid factor but did show high levels of C-reactive protein. Coupled with my own and family history of psoriasis the medics then confirmed I had PsA. I don't think there's a definitive test for PsA it's more like ruling other things out and your and your family history of psoriasis. Here's an article about scans.

http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/medical-imaging-arthritis-diagnosis/#:~:text=Because%20they're%20easily%20available,psoriatic%20arthritis%20and%20ankylosing%20spondylitis.

I'd suggest you go back to your GP and ask why they thought it was PsA initially. If it is all down to OA you could ask your GP for a referral to a Pain Clinic (if your area has them) to help manage your pain levels.