What should I expect?

ritnew
ritnew Member Posts: 338
edited 11. Mar 2009, 08:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone

Hurray!!!
I've at last got my first hospital appointment, it's on the 23rd March. I was just wondering what to expect when I get there. I've got OA in my hips and knees.

Rita X

Comments

  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rita,

    Glad to hear that.

    I should think they'll want your medical history, possibly x-rays and I don't know about bloods if you have OA and not RA (others will probably advise you on that). Your medication at the mo, weight, height, possibly urine sample and they may examine your affected joints (put your best undies on :oops: ). That's all I can think of for now.

    Hope all goes well.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ritnew
    Write down all the questions you want to ask because you will forget them
    Colin
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 10. Mar 2009, 08:24
    Hi
    If you haven`t yet had x rays then you will probably have them. If done they will consult the films and examine your joints re range of movement, strength (or lack of it). They will ask how it is affecting your daily life/routine, discuss what pain relief you are on, and then discuss options for management. Whether that is further investigations like bloods, CT scan/MRI, monitoring, physio, or surgical options. As someone has said already, they may want to know about your other medical issues or past medical/surgical issues and family history of medical type. It is a good idea to write down anything you want to ask , as sometimes you leave and wish you could go back to ask things.
    Good luck
    NB
  • ritnew
    ritnew Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    colinone wrote:
    Hi Ritnew
    Write down all the questions you want to ask because you will forget them
    Colin

    Good idea, must also remember to take list with me. :?

    Thanks Colin
  • ritnew
    ritnew Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone. it's a great help to have some idea what's going to happen.

    Rita X
  • nickynysmon08
    nickynysmon08 Bots Posts: 111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I too have osteo in both hips and knees. all I can get is tablets, diclofenic, paracetamol, tramadol and glucosomate. I may be completely wrong, but the only thing I seem to learn from the doctors who have been most kind, is there s nothing that can be done and one must learn to live with it. My own condition is going worse, I am still trying to deal with it, which is why I so often mention it. sort of getting it off my chest. don't we all!! I would be very interested to learn more of your future experiences in this,

    very best wishes,
    Nick
    ritnew wrote:
    Thanks everyone. it's a great help to have some idea what's going to happen.

    Rita X
  • ritnew
    ritnew Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Nick, I take Co-codamol tramadol an anti inflammatory which I can never remember the name of, it's not Diclofenac or Naproxen, I've even had a steroid injection into my knee, it did nothing, I also take a tablet for my stomach and I'm still in agony. My dr has been very good trying different things but has said he thinks it's time for surgery, whether the hospital dr's take any notice is another thing. I've had blood tests xrays and an mri scan and was told my hips were in a very bad condition but my knee only had a little arthritis in it, I do get pain in my hips but nothing as bad as the pain I get in my knee. I get huge swellings on my knee and the top of my leg, I can't remember a time now when I was painfree, so I'm really hoping the hospital will do something to relieve some if not all of this pain. I'm so glad I found this site it's good to have a rant and to speak to people who understand exactly what your going through.
    Take care.
    Rita X
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This won't help your pain at all but I wonder if the terrible pain you have in your knee is referred pain from your hips if they're in the worst condition - maybe once your hips are treated your knee will settle down a bit.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • sueandted
    sueandted Member Posts: 40
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Same as everyone has said above , anything you don't understand -ask !

    Best of luck :)
  • ritnew
    ritnew Member Posts: 338
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    lindalegs wrote:
    This won't help your pain at all but I wonder if the terrible pain you have in your knee is referred pain from your hips if they're in the worst condition - maybe once your hips are treated your knee will settle down a bit.

    Luv Legs :D

    Thats exactly what my dr said, he thinks because my hip are in such a bad condition my knees are having to work harder and causing this terrible pain. One great thing about him is he's never once mentioned my weight and I am lets say a bit on the cuddly side.
    Thanks Legs X

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