Any thoughts on possible arthritis please?

[ForkieForkie]

GP referred me to a rheumatoid consultant about a month ago, think there could be several months wait.

Now that busy Dec is over I'm having a think.

Have had various pains last 5 years or so. Mostly they dont stop me getting on with everyday life, just occasional bad patches so I hadn't mentioned to a GP before. Visit was prompted by ankle pain that got bad enough I couldn't walk for a day (eased off now).

Based on morning stiffness etc the GP thinks poss arthritis. GP was great and tested for loads of things which mainly came back mainly clear (just prescription for iron and vit d) except positive ANA.

I just don't think I have arthitis. In particular I very rarely get any discernible swelling. Pains vary and aren't persistent (except morning aches). On googling everywhere mentions swelling and hot joints. I also think there is usually a trigger, eg had been for a walk before the ankle pain, using clutch in slow traffic or this week kneeling sets off knee pain.

I guess I was hoping the GP would offer a course of antibiotics to clear something up (hadn't thought through).

Will a consultant be able to conduct more definitive tests? I still feel like its prob nothing or RSI pain. Worried about wasting hospital time.

Rheumatoid arthritis is usually diagnosed via a blood test - have you had it?

These 'triggers' you speak of can exacabate arthritis. I have it in my ankles and knees and it's worse after walking etc.

The specialist will be able to tell you more. I know you seem to want a quick fix but usually with things like this it doesn't happen.

Hope you get it sorted

Thanks.

Pretty sure it was on the long list of tests. I thought the ANA result came from that test. Is that a separate test? In which case the rheumatoid arthritis test must have been negative.

Yes I would have preferred a quick solution or even to be told nothing wrong, off you go.

Ana is an indicator of some auto immune diseases. A rheumy will thoroughly investigate. But sometimes as there is so much overlap it can take a good while to work out what you have.

Rheumatoid and osteo are different types of arthritis...lucky me - I have both! Osteo causes me stiffness and bony, lumpy knuckles and joints. Rheumatoid causes swelling and the "hotness". I'd say it's more painful when it flares up, and my hands and wrists affected by osteo are more achey.
Are you very stiff first thing in the morning?

Psoriatic Arthritis has very similar symptoms to RA but the blood test comes back negative! Can often be overlooked by GPs.

I am stiff in mornings, on a bad day will hold the rail to get up and down stairs but many mornings its just stiff ankles and tingling numb fingers that ease really quickly.

Sounds like you have the very definite visible symptoms whose absence in me makes me doubt I have arthritis Dumpty. (sorry you have to deal with both).

Thanks RandomMess but I don't have psoriasis.

I almost regret starting investigations, feel like a malingerer. Oh well, will just have to wait and see.

Thanks for replies.

It's never a waste of time getting investigated as if you do have an auto immune disease then the earlier it's picked up the better the outcome. I have psa but the pain was always worse when it flares. The flares used to be more infrequent but now because mine was overlooked for many years they are almost non stop. I am now on immune supressant drugs to hopefully stop it getting any worse. Get checked properly as although it might have been a false positive ana result it could also be the sign of something such as sjogrens etc. Alwahs best to let the rheumagologist see you and then if needs be start on meds to get your life back.