Appointment with Rheumatologist

[Nanabrodie]

Hi I’m new on this site and I need to talk regarding my appointment tomorrow. This is not the first time I’ve seen the rheumatologist I saw him a couple of years ago when he told me I might have slight fibromyalgia and suggested to my GP that he take me off the Gabapentin. My GP didn’t suggest that I stopped taking them although I did try and cut them down but the pains soon came back. Since that time I have managed okay and have been inclined to put fibromyalgia to the back of my mind thinking that a lot of my problems are age related (I’m mid 60’s) but just lately everything is getting a lot worse , aches, pains, brain fog, memory, night sweats etc. The other night I was woken by the feeling like I was laying in a bed full of ants that were bighting me all over, like I was breaking out in prickly heat, I wonder if anyone else has had this? My appointment is tomorrow morning and I’m not looking forward to it because last time he made me feel like a fraud as on the day my symptoms weren’t at all bad. Wish me luck !

[Hidden]

Rheumatology are who will diagnose you for fibromyalgia , It took a while but that who diagnosed me They should give you the American question test That what me diagnosed in the end Good luck 😉

[Nanabrodie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Nanabrodie]

Good idea, thank you.

[phlebo123]

Hello and welcome!

May I suggest that you make a list of all your symptoms (including the ants!!!) to take with you, so you don't forget anything (my fibrofog plays havoc when I am under pressure).

Also, I find it helpful to take a friend or family member with me to these appointment s, because I always forget things, and it is useful to have a second pair of ears! Also consultant s and doctors seem to take you more seriously if you are accompanied.

Good luck and let us know how you get on xxx

[Nanabrodie in reply to phlebo123]

At my appointment today have been told by rheumatologist that she thinks I have rheumatoid arthritis, which I was not expecting 🙁. I do suffer with pains in my Hands and feet and chest but just thought it was the usual age related arthritis so it was a bit of a shock. I had a number of X-rays, blood tests and will need to go back in 6-8 weeks. In the meantime I have a prescription for a short dose of prednisoline and also Hydroxychloroquine . She did say that some of my symptoms were related to fibromyalgia so hopefully that will be put in writing to my GP.

[Hidden in reply to Nanabrodie]

Well that’s not good news I’m sorry to hear that So know that’s another thing to deal with

[Nanabrodie]

Thank you will do

[Hidden]

Hope it goes well and the rheumo doc helps you,, I had bad reactions to pregab and gabapent, ive stuck to conventional pain relief since-maybe ask for advise on that if you havent tried yet. Those itchy twitchies could be the meds, but dont just stop them hun you will really get withdrawal, speak to your rheumo doc, IF it is the meds then I took Loratidine anti histamines for skin

[WorldOHurt]

Your rheumy probably took blood tests such as RH Factor and others to rule in or out Fibromyalgia. I would think these blood test results would be back in a week or so.

From an internet article :

"The blood tests will measure inflammation levels and look for biomarkers such as antibodies (blood proteins) linked with RA.

Inflammation

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or “sed rate”) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level are markers of inflammation. A high ESR or CRP is not specific to RA, but when combined with other clues, such as antibodies, helps make the RA diagnosis.

Antibodies

Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an antibody found in about 80 percent of people with RA during the course of their disease. Because RF can occur in other inflammatory diseases, it’s not a sure sign of having RA. But a different antibody – anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) – occurs primarily in patients with RA. That makes a positive anti-CCP test a stronger clue to RA. But anti-CCP antibodies are found in only 60 to 70 percent of people with RA and can exist even before symptoms start.

Imaging Tests

An X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scan may be done to look for joint damage, such as erosions – a loss of bone within the joint – and narrowing of joint space. But if the imaging tests don’t show joint damage that doesn’t rule out RA. It may mean that the disease is in an early stage and hasn’t yet damaged the joints."

The lack of any of this means you may have fibromyalgia.

[Nanabrodie]

My GP took bloods before he made me the appointment to see the rheumatologist and his words to me were “the good news is that you haven’t got rheumatoid arthritis but there is some slight unexplained inflammation showing”. He then suggested an appointment with the rheumatologist. So you can see what a surprise it was when she looked at those same results after examining me and then told me the opposite 🤨