GP refusing rheumatology referral

[Vaggers]

My daughter who is 44 has all the symptoms of PMR, with pain not responding to paracetamol. Even though she is now struggling to dress herself her doctor is refusing to refer her to rheumatology. Instead he has referred her for an xray!!! Why, surely pmr doesn't show on xray? He said he cant refer her for an MRI because its not in his remit, only rheumatology can do this, but he won't refer her to rheumatology !!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A 44 year old who is struggling to dress herself because of PMR-type symptoms needs referring. The x-ray will be to rule things out - like shoulder impingement or whatever. And I trust the GP has done a raft of blood tests?

However - try reminding the GP that PMR isn't the disease necessarily, it is the name given to a set of symptoms that are due to an underlying condition of some sort and there is a range of things to exclude - including a couple of forms of cancer and late onset rheumatoid arthritis. Early referral is required in both cases.

[Vaggers in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMR

[Vaggers in reply to Vaggers]

He has done some blood tests, basic, CRP was raised

[Vaggers in reply to PMRpro]

Esr was normal.

[Carathedog in reply to PMRpro]

What forms of cancers do you refer to

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carathedog]

Multiple myeloma and leukaemia are probably the main ones that should be considered. You are in the UK - if you google "differential diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica" the list NICE gives mentions them and other things but I can't access it as I am outside the UK.

[piglette]

I had the same problem with my GP, I could hardly move in the end. The GP said it was a virus, a long term one!! I splashed out to see a rheumatologist privately in the end who diagnosed PMR. I then went back to a new GP.

[Vaggers in reply to piglette]

I think we might have to go privately. I cannot understand some GPs.

[piglette in reply to Vaggers]

In this day and age it seems we either keep away from doctors, join a massive waiting list or pay to see someone privately.

[Vaggers in reply to piglette]

I have a wonderful GP but my daughters practice have made themselves almost inaccessible. Impossible to get through by phone and if you do almost manage this, its impossible to get an appointment, especially face to face.

[piglette in reply to Vaggers]

You are very lucky, hang onto them.

[Hidden in reply to piglette]

Same happened to me I had to pay to receive a diagnosis too.

[cycli]

there are enough examples on here of the consequences of too long a delay before diagnosis. Send him a profile of my trip until diagnosis if he needs an understanding of the pain and incapacity it causes. Try to persuade him that the longer it takes the worse trip we have especially getting off pred. I am of the right age to get it but PMRpro was much younger when it showed. The bell curve of probabilities is there to show that there are exceptions at the extremes and 60-70yrs are the mean, the mid zone. They need to be educated and informed. Go to it.

[Hidden in reply to cycli]

Well said

[Vaggers]

Thanks Cycli