Need to vent a bit,

Hi All,

Apologies in advance as this is a bit of a vent/moan, I'm pretty frustrated and down atm.

I've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis for several years now, and for the most part have managed to carry on with minimal problems. However since the start of this year I've been having recurring flare ups; my hands and feet will start aching constantly, always on both sides of the body, one foot affected more than the other though. When in use I also get sharp pains in my fingers and toes. These flare ups have been lasting a couple of weeks, get knocked back with naproxen and tramadol which I discontinue after the flare up. I'm then fine for approximately a month, then the flare up starts again. Each flare-up affects my mobility and productivity.

The current flare up has been a cracker, about two weeks ago I couldn't walk to the shops approx 100 metres away without having to take a break mid-way each way. The pain now extends from my toes to my ankles to my knees; and from my fingers to my wrists. The fatigue with this flare up has also been exhausting, strange thing being I do sleep but it's not restful. So back to GP and put on Neproxen, Tramadol & Nepofam. The Nepofam didn't agree with me so it's now been swapped out for Paracetamol. The GP has also taken bloods to check blood counts, and for inflammatory markers.

Does this story sound familiar to anyone?

Apologies again for the rant, I'm just frustrated with what feels like going in circles and concerned that if my OA actually turns out to be inflammatory arthritis, it's been wreaking havoc in the background. I'm not angry at the GP's more frustrated with the whole diagnostic process.