Could I have arthritis?

[Petals23]

I'm 45. I've always had a low back problem ( worn disc) which was under control. However, for the last 5 months this has flared up again, and also for the first time I've developed a sore neck and wrist at the same time, with clicking in all these areas. I have terrible fatigue. Also some nights I've an itch all over. I hadn't attended a physio for years but had to recently because of all these issues. She thinks they're not all related even though they flared up at the same time. She dry needled the muscles and joints and gave me exercises, which I've done, but no real improvement... some days better than others. I'm worried it's some form of arthritis. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

As far as I'm aware you can test for arthritis fairly easily using blood testing and/or x Ray's OP so if concerned, ask your GP for these? If you're not experiencing joint swelling it may well be something else such as fibromyalgia, which fits what you describe. I would check with the GP and ask for things like thyroid and b12/vit d to be tested if fatigue is an issue.

Thanks. I didn't realise bloods can show arthritis. I'll mention it to gp as I'm getting bloods done soon.

A blood test can indicate rheumatoid arthritis but not osteoarthritis. I know this as I've just been through the process myself. I was referred to a rheumatologist recently and they did loads of blood tests but everything came back clear from them. I then had an ultrasound and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

I believe blood tests only confirm the autoimmune types of arthritis... so Rheumatoid / Psoriatic.