Last week I decided I needed to see the GP; this week I am close to changing my mind.....

[KatyMac]

I started a thread about needing to see the GP last week, here

So, the appointment is tomorrow I am a little concerned. I'd really rather not go

Make Persuade me?

Your symptoms sound like mine and I have an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis ( not RA). I had aches and pains, numerous mouth ulcers and tinnitis. Tomorrow ask for a blood test especially your inflammation markers ( ESR, CRP)and ANA test for autoimmune conditions. I'm fortunate because I have a good GP and consultant. Blood tests will rule things in or out. If you think they are not listening stick to your guns, afterall they are there (NHS) for our benefit. Present your list, if the GP doesn't listen, see another ( if possible)or go to a walk in centre. I totally sympathise because it is painful and tiring, I am very lucky my GP listened, hope you get the same treatment. Good luck.

I think I'd be happy to see a consultant about my CFS (even 'thou I don't think it is active atm) as I haven't seen a consultant for that since 1995!!

I would really be hard pressed to find a GP anywhere nearby if I don't go to this practise; but I have considered seeing a private GP if tomorrow is a washout.

I am tired, sore and pissed off (not sure a GP can help with the 3rd issue )

Autoimmune is my best guess, what type of AI, who knows

But I am sure it is something; I feel so rough

OK I am very stressed now

keep breathing. make yourself relax. it will be ok.

Well, I explained that there wasn?t a day since Christmas when I hadn?t taken a pain killer (either paracetamol ? 4/5 days with diclofenic or co-codamol) & while I didn?t feel it was very positive taking them I didn?t think just stopping was a good idea.

& that I didn?t think it was likely that I had 3 or 4 separate things.

He is happy with me taking the pain-killers and that my attitude to them is a bit contrary, he is also quite happy that the co-codamol ?cures? my IBS. We discussed how to take the diclofenic with me asking questions and suggesting how I feel it works best, without him offering any information, just confirming my impressions.

He accepted that I had had blood tests for all of the things before but that he would like to do them again, before referring me to a CFS consultant.

well good news for the bloods. well done Katymac for going in, i am proud of you.

How you feeling now. Gp's are so bad at suggesting stuff, i HATE it when they just confirm stuff and have nothing to contribute, or rather you feel that they can't be arsed to contribute, just because they don't know doesn't mean there is nothing wrong.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

I'm not sure if it's a good result or not

I feel it's a bit wishywashy

Glad you went, KatyMac - and glad he is re-doing all the blood tests. You never know when they might change/throw up something different.

I hope he did all the tests for the inflammatory markers and for general health as well - do you remember which ones were asked for? No worries if you don't.

Fingers crossed something comes of it! And again, well done for going, hope it will be less stressful for you next time. :)

Well it's on next Thursday, so I'll know better then (I guess)

My brother is hoping for me to have:
sed rate, CRP, RF and Anti-CCP (whatever they are)

sed rate = ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A measure of inflammation; if it is above 10, it is because the red blood cells (erythrocytes) tend to stick together because of the inflammatory proteins in the blood.

CRP = c-reactive protein - an inflammatory marker that probably contributes to red blood cells sticking together

RF = rheumatoid factor, to see whether or not you have rheumatoid arthritis

Anti-CCP - no, don't know that one, sorry.

OK, looked the last one up - apparently it's another diagnostic marker for Rheumatoid arthritis.

ANA, which someone mentioned upthread, is for Anti-nuclear antibody - a marker for various autoimmune diseases.

You should also have had glucose tests checked - HbA1c would have been useful as it gives a longterm picture of your glucose balance; fasting glucose levels gives an immediate picture and isn't always accurate for imbalances in glucose metabolism.

The awful thing is there might be nothing wrong; this might be the way people actually feel all the time

errrr, no, I don't think so!
Anyway - no point speculating or worrying about it until you get the results - try and relax for the week ahead and forget about the appointment until you actually have to go to it. :)

Oh gosh seeing the nurse will be fine, it's GP's that annoy/stress me

Oh I see - you're having the bloods taken next Thursday. Sorry, I thought they'd already been taken and that was your appt to find out the results! [doh!]

Really think you should ask for an ANA (anti-nuclear antibodies) test with the rest of your bloods. Hope they find what's wrong and that it's easily treatable. Good luck for tomrrow.

Sorry Wilbur, I don't think I get to choose what I have & it's next week; thanks for the good wishes

But I will get a list of what I am tested for & report back

My results are back

The only one that is slightly out of range is ESR which is 55

& my Rheumatoid is satisfactory (still wonder if the diclofenac affects that)

& I have a CRP of 60

Whatever that is

CRP is c-reactive protein which is a protein released by the liver as a result of inflammation. I have sero-nedative inflammatory arthritis and my highest CRP was 56. A raised ESR and CRP nomally go hand in hand. Ask to be retested in a few weeks to see if the inflammation is getting better. If its still the same or higher, I would ask to be referred to a rheumatologist. By the way, I suffer terribly in my left ankle and my rheumatoid factor is normal.

Sero-negative rheumatoid Arthritis is what my brother has

The GP has said this may be some kind of viral arthritis which could last some time & that he won't refer me to a specialist until I am taking all the anti-inflammatries & pain relief (8 co-codamol a day) I can

I would ask for a referral. If you have a sero-negative arthritis treatment should be started ASAP. I started Dmards within 8 weeks of symptoms, because of this prompt treatment I do not have permanent damage in my ankle. Don't like the sound of your GP, I've never heard of viral arthritis. I always thought there was 2 types: inflammatory and osteo. I might be wrong but never come across it.

Hi, get your B12 levels checked for possible pernicious anaemia, as it causes tingling/pins and needles in hands and feet, exhaustion. For more information have a look at the pernicious anaemia society website. Good luck, its very hard to find a doctor to take you seriously and not label you as a whinger.