I feel like I'm typing on bone.

[SilverShamrock]

I dont know where I belong yet. I'm a 40 year old female. I've had hand/wrist pain (RSI) for over 10 years in my right hand. A few years ago the flareups got worse. I started getting swelling on my pip joints (both hands). Sharp pain in my dip joints and a hot padded pain in my palm on my dip joints that mean I can't make a fist (both hands) I finally gave in and went back the Drs who said RA. The rheumatologist barely looked up from his desk and said no chance. Probably just a little bit of wear and tear (OA). I've no rheumatoid factor but did have significant b12/folate/d deficiencies which didn't improve on pills do now I've started b12 injections. I get the feeling if nothing comes back on the other blood tests or xrays (hand and feet) that I'll be sent packing with my tail between my legs.

I don't quite fit the description of either arthritis fully.

I've got to wait till August now. It seems like a long wait to be possibly told there's nothing wrong (there is).

[jax553]

Hi, My sincere wishes, go to you, ask for a second opinion, in fact demand a second opinion, I was left for 6 years telling the Doctors that my knee really is very painful that it gives way, and I could not bend it, I had Xrays till they came out of my ears, The Doctor sat me down and said I will refer you to a surgeon, I was overjoyed, When I got there he said Oh I see you want a new knee then, I told him I am not a Doctor, He showed me my Xrays and true enough it looked very healthy, Despite being swollen up to 4 sizes bigger, and misshaped too, He fobbed me off, I went back to my Doctor and said I have Had Enough, I want the Second opinion, Sure enough, she said ok but we will do an MRI, I thought ok well it is a start, I received a letter stating I had to go to an urgent appointment and was shown my Xrays, He asked where my pain was, how bad it was, and a lot of other questions, So I thought to hang on there is something afoot here, He then showed me that this Arthritis is eating away my knee behind my knee caps on both legs, and that. the Arthroscopy, I had done clearly had no effect, And my knees are so bad they are laying down extra bone to cope with the severe damage. So you see it does pay to demand a second opinion.

[SilverShamrock in reply to jax553]

I'm so sorry you went through that. That's awful. I'm glad they found out the reason for your pain. One of the main things I'm worried about is not being believed if nothing comes back on the x-rays and blood tests. All the waiting just means things play on my mind!

[jax553 in reply to SilverShamrock]

Hi, They can tell by blood tests if your inflammatory markers are up, which is what they found with me, I was being told you have an infection somewhere and they could not find it, This went on for over a few years, There are many ways of getting the information from your body.

[arthritis_action Partner]

Thank you for sharing your story SilverShamrock . The sheer volume of stories like yours we hear, is overwhelming, as we can imagine how disheartening it can be to be turned away, despite your painful symptoms. We keep our fingers crossed you get to the bottom of it and get the support you require soon.

Even if you have not yet received your diagnosis, it can be useful to find out about what things you may be able to do, to help yourself at home - so might be worth having a look at our website under 'Resources': arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

We have a lot of free information and exercises that can help relieve pain and retain mobility.

We hope this is somewhat helpful. Keep us posted on how you get on and fingers crossed for a medical appointment that is helpful!

Despina

Arthritis Action's Communications Officer