First Post and asking for advice

JB52

This is my first post.

My wife appears to be suffering from arthritis. It seems to be in her hands at present.

I say appears and seems as she has had no confirmation for sure, that it is arthritis, despite seeing various doctors over the past 12 to 15 months. Without a diagnosis, she has no way of treating it.

Can anyone advise us on how we get a diagnosis and from whom? It seems obvious where we should get a diagnosis but doctors seem incapable or unwilling to do so.

Any other advice on pain relief or alternative medical routes to take would be appreciated

Ellen

Good morning @JB52 welcome to the Versus Arthritis Online Community.

I understand from your post that your wife is experiencing symptoms in her hands which indicate Arthritis, but she is struggling to get a definitive diagnosis. Without this you don't know where to turn for treatment.

I am attaching our information on hand pain. Specifically (although it is all worth a read) I suggest you scroll down to the section entitled 'When to see a Dr'. This should help you take things further with your GP and hopefully get a diagnosis.

The article also gives advice about coping with pain which your wife might appreciate:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain/

I am also attaching some information about gadgets that might make your wife's life a little easier and where to get them:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/your-home/

Now that you've introduced yourself you might want to take a look around the rest of the forum. Living with Arthritis tends to be the most popular category apart from Say Hello.

My best wishes to you both

Ellen.

JB52

Thank you for the speedy reply Ellen. We will look at the information you sent and will just have to push on with the doctors, no matter what.

frogmorton

Hi @JB52

This is just so frustrating having to be pushy at the Drs.

Has you wife had any tests done or is she being fobbed off for now in the hope it goes away?

Are you being allowed to see the Dr with her? This can really help ger what she needs and makes sure you remember everything you wanted to ask too.

Take care

Toni xx

stickywicket

It does seem rather odd and, I'm sure, frustrating if numerous doctors have not suggested arthritis or treatment. Here's what the NHS says https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/ .

Your local pharmacist could suggest appropriate pain relief. Exercises help. And, with OA, it's often our favourite tasks that set it off.

If you're worried it might be something other than OA then I think you just need to share those worries with à GP.

Lilymary

My GP wasn't interested in the pains and reduced mobility in my hip to start off with, said "it's probably a bit of arthritis but not worth xraying or treating". A few months later I fell over and the pain went through the roof. She finally sent me for an xray, which found the osteoarthritis was so advanced I already needed a new hip and was put straight on the list for replacement surgery. (Then came all the lockdowns....🙄)

Do keep persevering with your GP. Explain the impact it's having on her life and the pain levels generally (this is how GP's measure the "severity" of arthritis and the potential value of treating it) and ask what treatments might be available to reduce both aspects, and what treatments might slow the progression.