I have recently been told I have bone erosion, in my right hip and knee, is this linked to my RA?

[SlimJacqui]

[LavendarLady]

Hi there, it may be linked to RA but the sites you refer to are prime sites for osteo arthritis which is wear and tear on the joints. Suggest you speak to your GP about it and what they suggest for treatment. LavendarLady x

[SlimJacqui]

Thank you LavendarLady, my GP is washing his hands now I am under the Rheumatoid dept at hospital but my next appointment is not till September.

[Hidden]

You are the second person who has said GP is washing hands on here in the past week. GPs are obviously not specialists but they should know enough to be able to explain what results mean surely? And if not they should be able to approach your consultant for you and ask for more information. Mine certainly does this for me. I'm sure that's exactly their job and if you're not happy with them then you should find another or complain. Tilda x

[LavendarLady]

I am surprised that GPs are backing off when you are under a specialist. They should still be managing you day to day and be there when you need assistance not waiting until you next see the specialist. My GP is great and I can see him any time (my proper GP only works 2 days now so I tend to see the senior partner who is lovely).

I think you should go back to your GP (or another in the same practice) and get the hip etc checked out. Don't be fobbed off by them saying leave it to the RA consultant. You can get osteo on top of RA (or even under it!). I have osteo in both knees as well as the rheumatoid so a double whammy all round. My rheumy does check my knees from time to time but there is nothing he can do as the osteo is plain wear and tear. I do find the MTX and Enbrel help with the pain and discomfort in my knees but eventually I suppose will need a knee replacement.

Good luck. Don't wait until September. As Tilda says, complain or find another GP perhaps one more sympathetic? LavendarLady x

[Hidden]

Have you seen the Rheumatology nurse at the hospital? I've seen mine once & she told me to give her a ring if further questions occurred to me. And I've got the impression from many people in this group that they too have telephone contact with the Rheumatology department when they need it, if not actually the Consultant. I would just plain ring up & say 'I've got quite a simple question but it is bothering me, can someone help?'

(The various GPs I see have very clean hands too & the next nearest practice out here in the wilds is too far to go ... )

Good luck x

[SlimJacqui]

Thank you for your replies, I am seeing my GP this week and with question him further on the results of x-rays, also read on here about low iron levels and being tired, I will see if I can get a blood test and see if low iron is the reason.

I will report back on here, how I get on. My welcome pack from NRAS, has a lot of helpful information to ask.