had blood test am anti ccp positive and esr is elevat... - NRAS
had blood test am anti ccp positive and esr is elevated have been refered to a rhuemy but do i need xrays done before an appointment or not
You are welcome- Good luck to you!
I had X rays done in the beginning but would refuse them now as I don't see the point. What are they for? The consultant can see the you have RA from the blood test and just by looking at the joints! I would ask, first,if he/she thinks they are necessary and why.
It's also important to have some when you are first diagnosed, as that provides a reference point for seeing whether the disease is causing erosions later on. I had a second set done 2 years after being diagnosed and from that my rheumy was able to judge how erosive my RA was and what that meant for my treatment. You can have high inflammation levels but not have an erosive RA, so don't have to go over the top on drug treatment. Equally I think you can have moderate inflammation levels and still get erosions if you have an aggressive RA. So x-rays can really be useful and are very little radiation. Polly
They check your bloods X-rays etc to help them in the diagnosis. They ordered mind after I saw the rheumatologist to see if any joints were damaged.
I think it is important not to refuse X-rays, they are often the gateway to treatment, not just for RA but many other conditions, and without them your treatment may be very slow or non existent. Your Rheumi will order the X-rays he needs so there's no need to worry about getting them before your appointment.
Hope this helps.
Hello BOB here
The Specialist will need to take XRAYS, also a hand held scan possibly also. The XRAYS will be taken generally on the day of consultation. It is now not unusual to have a word with you afterwards, depending on the hospital, and its computer system.
Sometimes you will need to go home, ask the Reception for a copy of the Consultants letter that is sent to your GP.
Then,when you receive your letter the GP will have His, make an appointment with Him to discuss findings.
The copy of Consultation letters are your right, once asked all departments will send you a copy
All the best
BOB
I'm going to sit on the fence here about the xrays - if the rheumatologist does ask for them, make sure you ask why they are needed and how important it is to have them. I don't automatically say yes to xrays, as I am aware that radiation is cumulative in your body. I would only have them if there was a good reason, and if xrays were the most appropriate type of imaging (there is also ultrasound and MRI that dont have any radiation). Having xrays done as a baseline to have on file so the rheumatologist can repeat them some time in the future and compare them to check how fast and how much damage is happening would be a good enough reason for me to say yes though.
Thankyou everyone puts my mind at rest that i dont have to chase xrays up that if needed that will be organised so i suppose i just have to wait for an appointment now and see what happens
