Early diagnosis

elnafinn
elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
edited 26. Feb 2010, 03:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Thanks for that Del, made interesting reading. Your gp was obviously on the ball in your case - you were one of the lucky ones.

Luv
Elna x
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.

Comments

  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Delboy
    They need to do more research on this for sure. I don't think I would have been left so long if they knew what they were talking about. I think most of us endure a lot of suffering as a result.

    Thanks for pointing it out.

    Sharmaine
    delboy wrote:
    Saw THIS in the Times Online this morning.

    The article does appear to reflect some of the posts I've read on the forum in that diagnosis is taking an awful long time and exacerbating the pain and suffering.

    I was fortunate as my GP diagnosed and referred me in the very early stages so joint damage is not inevitable for me as treatment was started within 3 months lessening the chance of that happening.
  • cutieclaire
    cutieclaire Member Posts: 134
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I thought this was a really good read and I know that for many people they have to fight for there treatment.
    Only last week a friend of mine had been told by a locum doc that she had arthritis conected to her skin. The doc didnt refer her on or do anything. She chatted to me and this week after her steriod injection i going to chat to her GP and ask for a refereal. Wel only live 10 mins away and same PCT. Its amazing how things are different from one doctor to the next!!!

    I am so lucky that I have a fantastic Dr and it looks like no damage in hands but some in feet, which is kind of good.

    Thanks again Delboy
    xxxxxxxx
  • snowball
    snowball Member Posts: 3,465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I too was referred early on and diagnosed soon after, might be going on another drug soon waiting to see if we can get funding for it.
    Julie
    ((((hugs)))) n xxxxx to ya all
  • caprica
    caprica Member Posts: 195
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's taken me exactly 4 months, from start of symptoms to start of treatment. It seems that's not toooo bad in comparison to others but i've still felt like it's been ages.

    My GP's been pretty good, the only complaint I have is that I think he should've referred me on my first visit to him, instead of doing blood tests himself (all negative) and then waiting 3 weeks on the results before referring me, which in itself took weeks. Could've saved a month there.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It took ages for my gp practice to pick up what was going on with me. I was repeatedly referred for physiotherapy in spite of the fact I couldn't walk! Then my consultant decided to treat me conservatively and it was six months before I started on mtx, though to be fair I am sero-negative and that is harder to diagnose I gather. All my fears of damage to my joints were dismissed. Also, no support whatsoever offered to me when I was struggling at home. Only got Ot support now after reading this forum.

    My gp practice is supposed to be one of the best and I just got the run around from several drs as mine (excellent doc) was away for 3 months. One of the senior partners told me to go privately to see a consultant and he that 'can't understand the fuss you are making.' This was on the phone, he had never seen me. I pointed this out and said, 'I suppose I should take a look at you if you like.' I couldn't walk, get out of a chair, brush my hair, could do nothing. Luckily my good dr was back and intervened. After I had spent 10 days in hospital the gps who had been so dismissive were suddenly terribly interested in my case. I told them politely I was seeing one of their colleagues about my illness, thank you very much!
    Sorry to rant but it's good to get it out!
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Here we are in 2010 and this proposed action should have taken place decades ago.
    I've lost count of the number of appts I have had before my GP finally decided that it was time for me to see a Rheumatologist.
    For some of us the damage has already been done.

    I should have started treatment 15 years ago, not 6.
    One GP from our surgery actually worked in Rheumy at the hosp for some years, but even he doesn't seem to know what to say or do.

    Suppose it all comes down to money again.

    Joy
  • iggly_pop
    iggly_pop Member Posts: 27
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Its taken me 10 years and who knows how many blood tests and specialists, the doc who ended up diagnosing me with OA, fibromyalgia, CFS, nerve pain and chronic daily headache was head of an adult pain clinic and literally sat me down for about ten minutes and told me, i was so relieved to be diagnosed, but horrified that it had taken him ten minutes to diagnose what had taken others 10 years to get nowhere near to a diagnosis. It definately worries me that others may be having to put up with these symptoms and doctors being judgemental and insensitive, as the majority of mine were.
    Its hard enough to accept, let alone not knowing exactly what you are accepting, granted it is difficult to detect in some cases, but surely doctors need to look beyond being textbook as who is follows textbook symptoms or rules nowadays?

    Rebecca
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joyful164 wrote:
    Here we are in 2010 and this proposed action should have taken place decades ago.
    I've lost count of the number of appts I have had before my GP finally decided that it was time for me to see a Rheumatologist.
    For some of us the damage has already been done.

    I should have started treatment 15 years ago, not 6.
    One GP from our surgery actually worked in Rheumy at the hosp for some years, but even he doesn't seem to know what to say or do.

    Suppose it all comes down to money again.

    Joy

    Blimey Joy, that is scandalous! It doesn't take much money to diagnose RA just the will to do it. even the treatment in the early stages is not very expensive. I can't believe you were left so long.
    Sally x
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Thanks for the link to the article.

    I just wonder, how many of us actually do know when the RA started? Since different symptons arise at different times, and one doesn't always link them together?
    When I look back, I can see that probably one of my first symptons was a feeling like I was walking on pebbles..... then a couple of months later aching joints (I thought was a sign of ageing!) then it was six months later, when my fingers became swollen and stiff every morning, that I thought "somethings going on here" :shock:

    On my first visit to my gp he did blood tests, as soon as the results were in he arranged a referral to the Rheumatologist, who said I had early signs of RA.
    So, within three months of seeing my gp I started on Methotrexate. Would one consider this early treatment then? Should I have rushed to the gp when the 'walking on pebbles' feeling had started - 9 months earlier? What other earlier mild symptons might I have ignored? So, who really does know when this insideous disease started!

    I guess educating Joe Public in seeking medical advice as soon as any unusual sympton develops would be a good thing, as would ensuring the medics react quickly as well when consulted :)

    Oh, and one last thing regarding the linked article - why do reports like this have to add that the condition can "significantly shorten one's lifespan" :( I try to remain positive but reading that always deflates me!

    Jackie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Del,

    Its quite interesting that. I don't think mine was picked up on very early as I had oa already and that was something they could pin things on. The sulfa isn't helping much but I don't know if there is any erosion or not and tend to keep to keep my head in the sand a bit on that :wink: x

    Hi Sally,

    We almost got the same doctors..... I just haven't even one good one in there :lol::lol: x

    Hi Jackie,

    Nice to see you and don't let the possibles worry you. ((( )))'s and luv Cris x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I read that too. Maybe rheumatologists could think of offering courses in their local hospitals for GPs and practice nurses to keep them up-to-date with the newest ideas and thinking.

    I know I've often blamed GPs, though not my present one, for not picking things up, but I was talking to my GP about a visit she is to arrange for me to see a consultant and she said that one of them would be quite nasty to the GPs, if they sent him people, who turned out to not have a problem, that they didn't like referring! I said that I had met him, when he treated a disabled person I escorted to hospital and he was so nice and friendly to us! She said he was of the 'old school' and strict!
    Love Sue
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    Hi, Thanks for the link to the article.

    I just wonder, how many of us actually do know when the RA started? Since different symptons arise at different times, and one doesn't always link them together?
    When I look back, I can see that probably one of my first symptons was a feeling like I was walking on pebbles..... then a couple of months later aching joints (I thought was a sign of ageing!) then it was six months later, when my fingers became swollen and stiff every morning, that I thought "somethings going on here" :shock:

    On my first visit to my gp he did blood tests, as soon as the results were in he arranged a referral to the Rheumatologist, who said I had early signs of RA.
    So, within three months of seeing my gp I started on Methotrexate. Would one consider this early treatment then? Should I have rushed to the gp when the 'walking on pebbles' feeling had started - 9 months earlier? What other earlier mild symptons might I have ignored? So, who really does know when this insideous disease started!

    I guess educating Joe Public in seeking medical advice as soon as any unusual sympton develops would be a good thing, as would ensuring the medics react quickly as well when consulted :)

    Oh, and one last thing regarding the linked article - why do reports like this have to add that the condition can "significantly shorten one's lifespan" :( I try to remain positive but reading that always deflates me!

    Jackie

    Hi Jackie, the national protocol is to start patients on DMARDS within 3 months of diagnosis, according to my consultant. The problem is, as you say, getting a diagnosis. I also had aches and pains for a good 9 months before I got acutely ill. I don't think any doctor could have forseen that I would end up in hospital crippled. Everyone (i.e. my friends) kept telling me it was my age - I wish!!

    Hi Cris, to be fair to my gp practice, I was quite a new patient so none of them knew me. Had lots of telephone consultations. All very well but they can't see how you actually are, they were shocked when they finally did see me.
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally,

    My late aunt lived well into her nineties, and aged quite well really, but we used to laugh when, from about her mid seventies she'd say "its bl@@dy awful getting old"............ I never thought then that I'd be agreeing with her at the relatively early age of 50 something :shock:

    Hi Cris, thanks for the hugs hun, have pm'd you (explains my absence).

    Jackie x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As Ever its nice to see you Jackie :D ((( ))) xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    Hi Sally,

    My late aunt lived well into her nineties, and aged quite well really, but we used to laugh when, from about her mid seventies she'd say "its bl@@dy awful getting old"............ I never thought then that I'd be agreeing with her at the relatively early age of 50 something :shock:

    Hi Cris, thanks for the hugs hun, have pm'd you (explains my absence).

    Jackie x

    Yep, I know what you mean. I said to my sister last summer 'if this is what it's like gettting old, I don't want to know.' I am in early 50's. I'm just hoping the drugs will kick in before too long.
    xx