Should I have had a scan or MRI?

[Jules13]

I've have heard quite a few people mention having had scans or ultrasounds or MRIs to monitor rheumatological activity.

I have never had a scan of any sort. But am only 2 months into diagnosis. Should I ask my rheumatologist?

[keeta]

I would ask .think you should have had ultrasound. Doesn.t hurt to ask x

[Lyneal in reply to keeta]

Hi, I had scans and ultra sound to get my diagnosis as well as blood tests. Hope this helps.

[Jules13 in reply to Lyneal]

I think they just looked at my hands and went by the blood test results. X

[Lyneal in reply to Jules13]

Hi, well they know what they are doing, my blood was sero negative so had scans to make sure maybe if your blood was pos they didn't need scans. Good luck with it all.

[Matilda_1922]

Hi jules13

Ive not had any scans or mri since diagnosis. Diagnosed January 2016

Had xrays of feet and hands for the study I'm taking part in.

Hope this helps with your question

Hope you are having a good day

Matilda x

[SoulmanPaul]

Hi Jules. As I understand it everyone should have x-rays and bloods done at first diagnosis. This is so they've got a benchmark to compare later on. In addition anyone on Mtx has a chest x-ray for the same reason.

Paul

[Jules13 in reply to SoulmanPaul]

I had bloods but no X-ray. She said she could tell by the swelling alone. How does it show on X-ray? It's inflammation.

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Jules13]

Where the fluid is in between your joints it's turns shows up as grey , the more grey stuff instead of white , the less grey the better as it means there's no damage and it's been caught in the early stages . Specialist told me that

[Jules13 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Very interesting.

[Lyneal in reply to Jules13]

It shows in ultra sound and MRI scans.

[Mandy8175 in reply to SoulmanPaul]

That's funny, I didn't have one before mtx!

[Nettac]

I've had hand,feet,knees, hips and back done. Result...I'm a wreck!

Seriously though, you should probably have hands and feet checked out..I think!

[Simba1992]

MRI gives the most accurate results with very little radiation. Ultrasound if read by a knowledgeable radiologist is often good, with no radiation. Usually X-rays are taken in the beginning, which I find very curious since early erosions are seldom seen on x- rays and you should minimize radiation since x-rays will probably be needed further on. MRI is expensive, so probably seldom prescribed in UK. I would insist on ultrasound. Good luck😊

[Jules13 in reply to Simba1992]

I thought that was the reason I didn't have one done... that it wouldn't show up on an X-ray. She went on bloods symptoms and basically looking at all my swelling.

[wishbone]

No MRI scans. I had my hands and feet x-rayed not long after I started going to rheumy about 15 years ago. Think I had my neck done a few years later. Hands done again around 5 years ago.

[Neonkittie17]

I have only ever had dexa scans for osteoporosis. I'm twenty years diagnosed and my rheumatology department don't believe in scanning my joints. Last time I asked I got yelled at by the main rheumatologist but I'm going to ask about my feet and knee. They tell me you have to have an operation booked before they will scan your joints!!

[helixhelix]

It's quite usual in U.K. to have an x-ray early on to give a baseline for the future even if there's no question about the diagnosis. People being considered for Methotrexate also have chest x-rays to check lungs are ok. I had hands and feet done at diagnosis and again after 5 years. So perhaps something to ask about at your next appointment.

And if there's obvious swelling and inflammation then not really much need for an ultrasound to confirm it? In many U.K. hospitals there's as long a wait for an ultrasound as there is for an MRI, so I think I was very lucky that my UK rheumy had access to a portable one that she did use from time to time to double check when inflammation not obvious and for guided steroid injections into joints.

Also with MRI, if there's not a specific issue to be checked out do you need one? I've only had these and CT scans in relation to particular problems with spine and lungs.

[BoneyC]

In my 46 year history of RA, I've had numerous x-rays to determine joint damage and only ever had MRI scans when I had spinal problems and more recently need an ankle replacement. Also, it wasn't until this summer that I had an ultrasound of my hands. Blood tests and x-ray are still the basic diagnostic tools.

[dippyd09]

Hi, I have had RA since 1993 and in that time I have only had X-rays of hands and feet. That is until I had problems with my jaw and neck. I have had a Cat scan of my jaw and only last week had an MRI of my upper cervical spine. I think if you aren't showing any symptoms in any areas then they won't scan as a matter of course. At least in Lanarkshire. I hope you keep well.

[AgedCrone]

I had my first ultra sound 18 years after my original diagnosis & then only because I broke my arm & my Rheumy wasn't sure if the swelling was due to that or if something strange was happening RA wise.

If you are in UK you are usually if your Rheumy has reason to think things are not progressing normally. I don't think you will be scanned as early as two months after diagnosis.

[Jules13 in reply to AgedCrone]

Good to know. Thanks. X