ADVISE NEEDED 18years old!!!

heav_18

Hi, im just on here for advise really (at the minute) [I have also posted on young persons forum]

I have suffered with back problems and severe pain for at least a year. I have now developed problems with my hips. I have had physio and have had the idea that I could have arthritis totally dismissed by both my GP and the physio who said, at 18years old, I was "too young."

I have finished my physio sessions now, and they have not helped in the slightest, if anything i feel my pain has worsend!!! My GP is now looking at refering me to Rheumatology for scans and blood tests.

There is OA on both sides on my family, my mum has it severely in her wrist at just 42years old. She has been tested for HLA-B27 (the genetic side of Ankilosing Spondilytis, which was negative)

Does anyone have any ideas/advise about what I my have and what I can do to hurry the process of referal etc along?

Many Thanks

joytotten

Hi

You could ask your GP to do some blood tests to see if anything shows up. If nothing shows in the bloods and you are still not any better I would ask to be referred, sometimes it can take weeks even months to get an appointment. And if necessary I would go private. If it is some sort of Arthritis the sooner it is diagnosed and you are given some meds the better.

heav_18

joytotten wrote:

Hi

You could ask your GP to do some blood tests to see if anything shows up. If nothing shows in the bloods and you are still not any better I would ask to be referred, sometimes it can take weeks even months to get an appointment. And if necessary I would go private. If it is some sort of Arthritis the sooner it is diagnosed and you are given some meds the better.

I have had blood tests done, and they came back normal. But I still do not understand why I am in sooooo much pain!!??

I have had physio and the physio has sent the report back to the doctor...Im just waiting to hear from the doctor as to what he wants to do next but the physio recommended Rheumatology.

Any tips on how to control pain as the only pain killer i can take is paracetamol and that doesn't do anything!

nearlybionic

Hi
Sorry you are having so much pain. Have you had x rays? Sometimes things don`t show up in blood results despite pain, frustrating though!! If you know who you have been referred to, you could ring the secretary and say you are ok to accept an cancellations. No guarantees but worth a try.
Have you tried heat and cold to try to soothe pain if you can only take paracetamol? Hot water bottles, wheat packs, ice packs etc can help with inflammation and swelling etc..
NB

heav_18

nearlybionic wrote:

Hi
Sorry you are having so much pain. Have you had x rays? Sometimes things don`t show up in blood results despite pain, frustrating though!! If you know who you have been referred to, you could ring the secretary and say you are ok to accept an cancellations. No guarantees but worth a try.
Have you tried heat and cold to try to soothe pain if you can only take paracetamol? Hot water bottles, wheat packs, ice packs etc can help with inflammation and swelling etc..
NB

No I will be having my xrays when I get refered. I do know who I am possibly being refered too but when I know for definate I will totally ring and tell them that. I do occasionally use hot water bottles, but they are not always affective. I haven't tried cold yet but I would rather not as it is my lower back and hips and cold would be a bit harsh.
Thanks

skezier

I have had blood tests done, and they came back normal. But I still do not understand why I am in sooooo much pain!!??

I have had physio and the physio has sent the report back to the doctor...Im just waiting to hear from the doctor as to what he wants to do next but the physio recommended Rheumatology.

Any tips on how to control pain as the only pain killer i can take is paracetamol and that doesn't do anything![/quote]

Hi, I saw my Rumo this week and he did a lode of bloods and did say that GPS don't have access to the kind of tests he can do. I hope you get your appointment soon and they start to find out what is wrong with you. Certainly arthritis can come at any age and I so wish doctors would remember that!
You can get things maybe better suited to pain over the counter, your gp may help if you see them again? I don't know if it would work better for you but Voltarol is now an over the counter drug. Take care, Cris

joytotten

May be some of the gels could help I have used volterol, deep relief etc. Or you could try relaxation CD's. As far as I know Arthritis care have one. Or if things get worse a steriod jab will help. Your GP or Dr at the hospital can give this to you.

I hope you get some ease soon.

eckstardeluxe

Hi there, I was sad to read your post. I think you need to speak to your GP again or ask for a second opinion. Although I'm 33 and got my diagnosis in January, I had a spinal disease at 12 and found out my arthritis started after this. So i'm afraid to say you are not too young. My nephew is 7 and has a little boy in his class with arthur too. You really need to be getting the best care possible, especially because of your age. Don't be afraid to ask for another opinion, you don't want to let things get worse before you find out what's wrong. Good luck and let us know how things go. xx Also, try Ibuprofen, they work well but if you keep taking the paracetmol regularly it will builg in your system.

mistywillow

joytotten wrote:

May be some of the gels could help I have used volterol, deep relief etc. Or you could try relaxation CD's. As far as I know Arthritis care have one. Or if things get worse a steriod jab will help. Your GP or Dr at the hospital can give this to you.

I hope you get some ease soon.

Hi Heav 18
Sorry you are in so much pain, its awful when you are young and everyone expects you to be leaping all over the place. Just a thought, do you think it could be mechanical problems due to posture. You don't say what you do during the day, but sitting either hunched up at a desk or carrying heavy loads, wearing shoes that throw your posture off balance. When one joint is out of alignment it can put extra stress on all the others, so if the back pain is causing you to walk badly it will affect your hips. The Alexander technique might help whether it is arthiritis or postural problems. They are classes that tech you how to move in a way that does not stress your joints. They are brilliant even for people without problems as most of us don't use our bodies properly even when not compromised by arthritis. There are probably classes in your area.
Also you might find as Chris has suggested that an anti inflammatory combined with a pain killer might be more effective for you, in addition to Volterol there are all the medications containing ibuprophen. Hope this helps. All the best
Gillx :P

gocat1

Hi Heav. Sorry you are experiencing pain in your hips. Not sure if we can put links here but will try http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A24369915
If not try google "teenage hip pain" .
Glad you are having an xray at last. Im surprised the physio/gp didnt refer you for xray earlier .

Hope you get a diagnosis soon.

vonski

Hi Heav 18

Sorry to hear your troubles. Did your GP give you any pain relief? If not over the counter paracetamol might help and as others have said try a gel. You could try your GP again and tell him/her how much pain you are having and hope you get help quicker.

Love
Vonski x

heav_18

I was taking Ibprofen, and have also tried Codine. But the Ibprofen upset my stomach and I suffered with Nausia when taking the Codine, this is why I am left with paracetamol.
I tried for weeks with taking 2 paracetamol every 4 hours as recommended on the box, but this did nothing!

I do not think my pain is down to posture, as the doctor has never mentioned this to me. I am training as a Nursery Nurse (worse profession when you have a bad back and bad hips!!!) but i started the course before my pain began and am now just a few months from finishing and am applying for jobs!!!!!

vonski

Hi Heav 18

Have you tried a heat pad? again this works for some or cold. Afraid it's all trial and error what works for one doesn't work on others but I'm sure you'll agree anythig that give relief is worth a go. There are quite a lot of back supports around that no one would notice under your clothes. Working with little ones will be very rewarding but ouch!!!!

Love
Vonski x

spirit77

I am surprised your GP says you were too young. I was diagnosed with RA when i was 17.