Reactive arthritis ?

[Dizzy412]

Hi again.

I'm a bit confused. A while ago my GP told me I had viral arthritis.

It improved a little. I'm still getting painful joints and a temperature. Saw same GP today, who has run a load of tests, again, and now says I have reactive arthritis.

I have no markers for inflamation now, and he said every time I get a virus or similar, I will get sore joints, and that it will gradually improve. Bodes this sound reasonable.

Dizzy

[earthwitch]

To be honest, it doesn't sound like your GP is using the definition of Reactive Arthritis in the same way a rheumatologist would. As far as I understand, Reactive arthritis is a type of spondyloarthritis that occurs after infections (not viruses), runs its course over a few months, then goes away completely. In a few cases it doesn't go away, but develops into a more permanent spondyloarthritis. Here is a link to the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society information page - scroll down till you come to Reactive Arthritis to read more nass.co.uk/about-as/getting...

If you are concerned, and the arthritis symptoms recur or don't go away, then I'd suggest asking for a rheumatology referral to rule out an inflammatory arthritis like spondyloarthritis.

[Hidden]

I'm not a doctor, I sell beer for a living, but please get a second opinion from another doctor. If the second opinion has the same results then "no harm no foul"

I wish you well

Sue

[Fis76]

Hi I started with a diagnosis of reactive arthritis as I had joint pains any time I had a virus or was poorly then it would settle and I'd be fine again. Sometimes it's tricky because your body can be fighting a virus causing a flare but you don't know you're fighting the virus!

My flare ups then became more sporadic but much more intense and I was diagnosed palindromic rheumatism.It's a tricky diagnosis as there are no markers when you're not flaring which is usually when you are seen!

I'm now fully blown RA and in pain in varying degrees all the time.

I would say trust your instincts and if you find your pain is changing or prolonged re visit your gp and ask for a referral.

I wish you all the best going forward

[Hidden in reply to Fis76]

Hello. Hubby was originally diagnosed with reactive arthritis 6 months ago then 3 months ago it was confirmed as RA. Now I guess we have a long journey ahead of us. Hope you start to improve xx