Hi, I hope someone can guild me with this, I went to my doctors on Monday (waited 3 weeks for the appointment) I have had awful pain, redness and swelling in both of my hand thumb and 3 fingers, identical on both sides and the same with my knees.
He could see that my hands were quite swollen, although not as bad as they had been, and he just dismissed it as old age (im a very young active 50) and told me to take anti-inflammatory pain relief, I also have psoriasis and type one diabetes, I thought he would offer me a blood test or even check my hands and knees, he didn’t even look at my knees, I am sure it’s nothing serious but I felt like I had just wasted his time, but I can’t stay like this and do need some help to get it sorted, what do you think it best for me to do.
Many thanks
Written by
michaelaknight1
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Oh that's not good. I would make another appointment and see someone else. Particularly since you have psoriasis. This should have raised a red flag to him.
See another doc and remind them about psoriasis. Insist on being referred to rheumatology.
I would keep going back every other day until they sit up and take notice. Hopeful your gp at the practice will be busy and you’ll have to see someone else. Or make an appointment with your diabetic nurse (if you haven’t got one assigned to you then you’re definitely at the wrong practice!!!).
At around your age in1999 I was told by a GP 'you have to expect aches & pains at your age' take an aspirin.
I disagreed! I searched around for the name of a respected rheumatologist ....went back to GP & said I wanted a referral to this man.
I was diagnosed with Palindromic Arthritis which over a couple of years developed into Sero positive rheumatoid arthritis,
Because I was diagnosed early I had the benefit of the right treatment & although I am now on Biologics I am convinced I'm a hell of a lot better off than I would have been if I had taken notice of that GP & had just taken an aspirin!
As you have Diabetes...if you have somebody who supervises that treatment (other than this GP) you could ask their advice....but I would see a rheumatologist ASAP.
AgedCrone is right i am nearly 68 and all through my thirties was told it was just wear and tear .i questioned so many times why at such an early age i would have wear and tear .but was ignored .it wasn.t unill i reached 60 that i was diagnosed
i also have hashi.s
alopisha
.sleep apnea
.and lichan planus. All started in my 40.s to 50.s
If you are not happy keep going back and ask for another opinion.
Hi there sorry to hear this. I had difficulty getting referred until I referenced the NICE guidelines on RA which spell out when GP must refer to Rheumatology. Symmetrical joint pain and swelling (which you describe) is one of them I am pretty sure, especially in the small joints of the hand. Google the guidelines and please persist, take someone with you if you can. It’s really hard but unfortunately many GPs still seem really ignorant about RA even though referral is meant to be urgent. This site and NRAS helpline helped me persist until I got a diagnosis, worth giving them a call. Good luck and hang in there, there is fantastic support on this site from many very knowledgeable people
I was 52 when I went to my GP complaining about pain in both knees and feet following a long walk (I used to roam for miles up in these here hills surrounding my home). No swelling or redness involved for the GP to see, plus I'd been in good health previously and hadn't seen a doctor for many years. As I recall she didn't ask to look at my feet or knees nor ask many questions. She did however refer me for a blood test, which turned out to be RA positive, and it's been a gradual downhill trip since! Seems like she knew her stuff and what to look out for.
Surely being referred for a blood test isn't too much to ask for even in these times of tight funds? Think you need to go back and preferably see another doctor this time.
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Seems like she knew her stuff and what to look out for. 
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