Hi all its moaning minne here again, just been to the hospital appointment and I am left a bit speechless really. I had an xray on my ankle the other week was told by my GP receptionist that there was nothing wrong with it no further treatment needed the ankle its still painful and swells badly on this appointment it was not swollen as I have rested it, isn't that always the way lol. Anyway on talking about the ankle and knees he told me that the xray showed that I have the starting of osteoarthritis in my ankle and could possible have it in my knees also I have an xray form for that, when I said don't you think I should have been told this he said by who I said my GP he said he may not know... now help me out here whats going on my GP was the one who sent me and he said that because its only the starting of it that maybe I did not need to know. I was given a steroid in the bottom,and he said that he would wait for the xray to come back and he would contact me about the injections in my knees. I left feeling really glum and when I mentioned work and that I was finding it hard he just shrugged. Just don't know what to do next. xxxx
sorry to bleat on xxx
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Bazzypants
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I'm so sorry for your frustrations, I'm sure that each and everyone of us have felt the same way on many occasions but that doesn't make it any better, does it? I find that if I wait and stew on it for a few days, I can then come up with my next course of action. What is bad is that time and again we are put in this position. I sometimes wish that the doctors went through a little of what we do so that they could understand how frustrating and disappointing it is when they are so off hand. I'm fairly lucky at the moment as my doctor's sister has RA so I think that he is a little more sympathetic than many. But keep your chin up. Clemmie
Hi Clemmie thanks for your response just feeling really fed up with it today and the to be told about the osteoaritis when i was told there was nothing wrong lol just makes me mad, but like you say we all get problems and frustrations with our care. xxxxx
I truly understand how you are feeling, I've been there so many times and yes, you should have been informed about the osteoarthritis. At least you know now. Was it a rheumatologist who you saw at the hospital? Clemmie
Could this be a bit of " oh it's just a bit of osteoarthritis" therefore until the joint is damaged there's no treatment apart from painkillers . Saying this cause that's what they said to me x
Hi allanah, just what I was thinking myself, I think its a bit out of order really ive made an appointment with my GP I want to see what he has to say. xxxx
That is true - I have had RA for over 25 yrs - have Osteoarthritis in my feet, right knee and left hip. Until the joint gets really bad and damaged there is nothing that they can do - I am finally going for hip replacement surgery in May.
Hi there hstubbings, thanks for your input on things and I am sorry to hear you have it in all those places, very painful. I did have a feeling there would be lack of treatment for the OA but its good to know that there is help at a later stage. Glad you got your replacement in your hip coming up in may, there is nothing better than being able to walk however painful xxxx good luck with that op keep us posted xx
Hello
Generally your GP will get a letter telling him what was discovered at the clinic. Many hospitals and surgeries are becoming connected and results are added to the network, so other departments can view your records in real time.
Sadly some surgeries are just becoming connected,I found out that out at my own cost. All can be very
flustrating.
Osteoarthritis is generally found with age, I had my knees done several months ago and they saw changes. they were slight or so I gathered and this has been noted and it is now recorded and that was it. I should imagine that your GP will now be notified regarding all tests and treatments.
Since being on these sites I have always said, we should ask hospital Reception for copies of all letters sent between Specialists and GP, this is your right, you only need to ask once and the request is noted and will always happen.
This prevents confusion and allows the patient to confer with their GP and Specialist when you go back to the hospital for treatment or referral
Above does not sanction bad practice, between hospital and GP, Many services in this day and age,not just health services just hope you will go away, and by the grace of god do not raise you voice. It is a good way of not fulfilling good services.and practices, the attitude do not shout or scream let me do my work in an grotty way We all need too push push hard
Hi Borderriever, Thanks for responding I agree I think its bad practice to all information should be given regardless of how slight you have something. I am starting to feel let down on each hospital and GP visit I make. xx What do you do when choices are limited.
Generally if treatments are limited and life slows because of the conditions we have I learn to pace myself.
Generally I continue on doing what I enjoy, the difference being to look for easier methods,of doing things. We have a new garden and have been planning it, I have just planted an Orchard and Fruit Garden it has taken a long time although now it has been done. Just in time for the new season. Now I am helping Hazel plant out new borders etc, Sadly now I can only start in the garden half an hour before lunch and 15mins slots if possible in the afternoon I generally have to stop completely at tea break, where I may come on several sites here.
I am now a volunteer with Healthwatch, and represent my GP surgery on a Patient Participation Group. Next week I have an interview with Healthwatch to decide a placing within the NHS as a patient representative.
We have an old caravan on the Scottish Borders that we visit. Also our dog Pax who is still young keeps us busy .
We are life members of National Trust, English Heritage, also member of Historic Houses
So we visit many properties. Our visits can be very hard as I get tired easy.
Now I do not look at lack of medical choices, i am a Reactive Depressive and I cannot dwell on something that is not. So I have people here that I enjoy interacting with, as over the years I have suffered negativity from fit and healthy.
I would be tempted to make a polite complaint to GPs surgery about a receptionist giving you misleading info, as that's just so frustrating. It's true that there's not much that can be done about osteoarthritis in ankles/knees. But that doesn't mean that your GP should just ignore it as should at least be discussing pain relief, or the ways in which you can exercise to keep muscle tone to protect the joints.
Hi helixhelix, I am very tempted to complain as this is the second time that my doctors has done this, when I was tested for RA I was told by the receptionist that I was all clear my bloods came back fine, a week later my GP called me said have you had your bloods results I said yes all clear, no you have to come and see me lol. so its not the first time. maybe time for a new doctor the only thing that keeps me there is that its local and I don't drive. xxx sad I know lol
It's always better to see the GP for a result. The receptionist usually doesn't have access to the detail of a test done, just what the GP has put as a comment before it's filed - so the comment may have been OK, meaning that it was what was expected, NOT that it's normal!
Hi oldtimer, thanks for your response, yes I should have learnt the first time with receptionists,lol and your probably right in what your saying but who are they to decide what information that share with you its my body after all... when sometimes I think its some other body I have woken up in guess we all feel that at times xxxxx
Hi Bazzypants, I have OA in my right hip, as well as RA elseware. My rheumy have put me back on steroids, which have helped especially with the painful hip. My GP said that even OA has inflamation and that is why the steroids help. Two months ago I couldn't walk, now I can. But not sure how far yet. When I ring up GP for blood results I always say,( now), I want the actual results - say of CRP and ESR, not just the 'they are ok' remark. Xxx Anne
Hi DrWhoFan, I was given a steroid injection by the doctor and some of the swelling is going down but the pain is still there hope that will get better before work this weekend that's if I manage to go. Glad your back on your feet and walking again that fills me with positivity .... thank you xx The delivery of results is not good enough really is it ? xx
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Can i take anymore?
I feel like having a good cry....
Just had 1st appointment with rheumy nurse.
Hospital Appointment
Had my rheumy appointment. 
