Different

[Jinnty89]

Hello, I have different types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and arthritis in the rest of my joints, ankles, hands and such. I also have crepitus in my right shoulder due to an accident which has also damaged my back. Yes, I know, need a new body but until medical science catches up to give me one, I’m stuck with this decrepit one.🤪. But, my question is, my dr has refused tk send me to a rheumatologist as I have different types, but now I can’t sleep or even if I sit for more than 10 minutes, I can’t move, and my pain in all my joints is off the scale. Does anyone have any advice on easing this, just enough to get a sleep? I have a tens pen that I’m constantly using to try to ease this pain, but I can’t go on like this, it is bringing me down so much , especially as I can’t get even 2 hours of straight sleep. I am not allowed anti inflammatory medication as I have a stomach problem so I’m at a loss on where to go now. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance and stay safe x

[piglette]

Do you get any medication for the rheumatoid arthritis? Could you ask your GP to let you see a rheumtologist for just one of the arthritises if he does not want to sent you for more than one?

[Jinnty89 in reply to piglette]

unfortunately, no I don’t get anything for it, bar my own medication for my back. I am seeing a new GP next week so I will ask again to see if I can see someone to try to get some help. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me it’s much appreciated.

[piglette in reply to Jinnty89]

I am very surprised you don’t get anything, particularly for the rheumatoid. Good luck with the new GP.

[DorsetLady in reply to Jinnty89]

Methotrexate is usually prescribed for RA (maybe after a trial of prednisolone) - and that requires a Rheumy’s input I think - so please ask your new GP for a referral…

[Happyrosie]

you have the absolute right to see a different GP, who may well have different ideas. As far as RA is concerned, NICE (National Institute for Clinical Evidence] issued fresh guidance on the pathways that should be followed in 2020. It’s quite possible that your own GP missed this as Covid was going on. Tell the doc you’ve had a look and you think there’s more to be done.

You can read the guidance for yourself if you’ve got the stamina to do so, though I wouldn’t recommend it, by going to NICE and input rheumatoid arthritis into their search box, top of page. I had a quick look. From it I quote “Adults with RA should have ongoing access to a multidisciplinary team. This should provide the opportunity for periodic assessments (see 1.9.2 and 1.9.3) of the effect of the disease on their lives (such as pain, fatigue, everyday activities, mobility, ability to work or take part in social or leisure activities, quality of life, mood, impact on sexual relationships) and help to manage the condition.”

I know you can’t necessarily have NSAID’s but is it possible to try these with the addition of a stomach pill like Lansoprazole? Suggest it.

[Jinnty89 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you so much for all of the advice and for giving me the guidelines. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to me. Thank you again.

[Wooodsie]

Hi Jinnyy89, it may also be worth asking the GP to refer you to a pain clinic. This may help with the pain, but they may wonder why you are not seeing a rheumatologist and they can refer you or ask that your Dr does. I've no idea, but would give it a go. As aforementioned, the new GP may take a different stance - let's hope so.

[Jinnty89]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me. I’m overwhelmed with thanks and for reinforcing my belief that I should be seeing a rheumatologist. I see this new dr on Thursday so I will be asking to be referred to one as I can’t keep going the way I am. But, thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤️ for all your advice.

[Batty1]

I have psoriatic arthritis and Osteoarthritis its not uncommon to see more then one type Arthritis and your doctor is a goof he needs to send you to the rheumatologist so you can receive better RA treatments.

Who diagnosed you with RA and how did this person diagnose you?

[Jinnty89 in reply to Batty1]

I have had osteoarthritis since I was a child due to another condition I have. And then various X-rays over time have diagnosed me with the various arthritis. And now even though I haven’t had an X-ray on my shoulder for around 20 years, I’m now positive I have it in my shoulder where my injury is. But, thanks to you and everyone else who has taken the time to reply to me, I’m now going to push to see a consultant about it. So thank you.

[Batty1 in reply to Jinnty89]

It sounds like they never actually tested you for RA …. You definitely should see a Rheumatologist to really get proper diagnosis and treatment.

[Jinnty89 in reply to Batty1]

I’ll mention it to my dr. Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me. I really appreciate it.

[Amkoffee]

There are a wide variety of medication that help a lot of people with RA. Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab) are three that I've tried without success. But I don't belive I have inflammatory arthritis. I think my rheumatologist is finally coming to that conclusion too however I have just started a new drug called Cimzia (certolizumab pegol). The reasoning is because my inflammation markers are always so high and we don't know why. I read your profile and it looks a lot like mine. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much. It does make it very hard to treat all the different conditions. It can be complicated. 😀

[Jinnty89 in reply to Amkoffee]

Thank you so much for taking time to let me know about these different ones. W have written down all the medications that people have suggested and I will be taking them with me when I see this new dr on Thursday. Thank you again.

[Awesomeanji]

Hi there, I am like you, I've got erosive arthritis and osteo arthritis , unable to tolerate many pain meds or can't use because of interactions with other health probs. It's taken a good 18 months for my doc to refer me to a rheumatologist. Have you heard of Flexiseq?, its a gel which aids better movement within the joints. It isn't a pain med but I've found that it does in fact increase the movement ratio before you feel the pain, even then, the pain is significantly reduced. Unfortunately it's not available on prescription, however you can find it on amazon, there are 2 strengths, flexiseq and flexiseq max. As per norm, its not cheap, but a pea sized amount goes a long way. Another thing that I've found to help with pain and inflammation is cbd. I'm a huge coffee drinker, so I buy the cbd infused filter coffee. It has reduced the inflammation considerably, you can also find cbd infused drinks on amazon, tea, drinking chocolate etc. Good luck x

[Jinnty89 in reply to Awesomeanji]

Thank you so much for replying to me. I will definitely check this out. Thank you again

[Awesomeanji in reply to Jinnty89]

Your most welcome. My rheumatologist recommended the Flexiseq, I hadnt even heard of it before and I must say that compared to say, voltarol or neurofen gel, it seems to work way better, even though it's not officially a painkiller. Good luck, if you try out the flexiseq, let me know how you get on. X

[HeronNS in reply to Jinnty89]

I also use Flexiseq (the Max for OA) and find it really helpful.

[Happy5]

Confused by your GPs refusal to send you to a rheumatologist for your RA.

I have both RA and OA but was diagnosed long time back and started on treatment for RA which is in remission at present.

You definitely need to get medication for RA from the RA team to prevent the RA getting worse, damaging your joints etc.

How was your RA diagnosis made? If it's definite then take info from one of the Arthritis orgs about treatment for RA and insist on the referral being done. Trying to just manage it with pain relief is on a hiding to nothing.

Hope this is resolved asap.

[Jinnty89 in reply to Happy5]

Hello, I was diagnosed as a child with it, and I keep going back and forward to try to get my knees replaced but I keep getting knocked back no matter how many hoops I jump through. So I’ve gave up on that, but all of my joints are now screaming at me and I was sent to a physio who admitted they couldn’t help and they recommended a rheumatologist to my dr but again she said no. I’m hoping this new dr will finally refer me but I’m not holding out that she will. Thank you for replying to me I appreciate it.

[Bumpity]

As per Woodsie reply. Asking for the pain clinic would be a good idea.

In my case I take blood thinners so am restricted on what meds I can have for mixed arthritis. My old GP prescribed continuous morphine tabs which are great, they give a slow release over the day and work a treat. They do not always kill the pain but make life bearable, worth a try perhaps. I did start initially with morphine sulphate to help me sleep but following a fall I needed something stronger. My current GP would not have been so helpful so can sympathise with you on that score. Take care.

[Jinnty89 in reply to Bumpity]

Hello, thank you for replying to me, I appreciate you taking time to do this. I am already on morphine due to several injuries so I can’t get any more painkillers. But thank you anyway for your reply.