GP registrar and appt about my arthritis

[Wombat27A]

I saw a GP registrar in my first face-to-face GP appointment this week and with wearing a mask too, I think I got misunderstood or something. It's going round in my head and I can't quite work out what's what.

I was diagnosed with hip arthritis back in 2017 and have been managing that but my hands and feet are really sore just now, so I wanted to talk about how best to manage them. My hands and feet have been sore for a few years now, much worse in winter and it affects my driving and mobility. So mgt is important to me.

He told me I'm too young to have arthritis and that some things remain a mystery and a cause is never found.

I have hypothyroidism and roseacea, which are autoimmune issues plus adhd, which can have muscle, soft tissue and joint-related issues too. Plus I take a statin and now hrt...

He's asked for blood tests, so I'm happy about that as it will help with the thyroid and statin medication and also look for inflammatory markers but he's not expecting any to show up.

I'm not wrong to assume it is actually arthritis here, am I? I think I want to go back and point out arthritis is possible at any age but aibu?

Think the waits around here will be in the years, not months.

I'll have to have a think.

So the blood tests came back. No inflammation markers but functionally anemic, so now on iron tablets.

I've just been reading the NHS page on RA & it does sound like it's hands & feet first. Don't know quite when to push for a referral, as I don't have any swelling, just aching & stiffness.

If you’re bloods aren’t showing inflammation and there’s no swelling, it’s probably not RA to be honest. I would wait and see if the iron makes any difference. I felt horrendous when I was anaemic, aches, pains, always tired, hair falling out. I didn’t realise how bad I was until I started treatment!
One thing that does make my hands sore and achey is using soap, I was told to switch to Dermol 500 (which can be used as a soap or moisturiser) and they’re much better now.

It's definitely arthritic-type internal pain, actual joints really sore & delicate, feel inflamed if I do any actual work involving grip, etc. They basically stop working if I stress them too much & I'm always dropping stuff, it's a right pita. 😁

But yep, I'll see how I go with the iron. Brain fog is better.

Hair has been falling out for a couple of years.

The ferritin level was 10, so I assume this has been going on for a while?

Mine went down to 13 and I felt rough. See how you go, time will tell.

is the pain worse at night or in the morning?

Stiffness in the morning, pain all the time.

I think if I were you I would push for a Rheumatology referral. Could you see a different GP?

Stiffness in the morning, pain all the time.

Classic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Have to say your symptoms sound typical of RA. It typically affects the smaller joints first (hands feet wrists) but it affects all joints. Stiffer in the morning but eases off after couple hrs moving. I had sore toes for a couple of years before my hands went, very swollen and sore joints. Had to wear compression gloves. I was lucky and got an urgent referral and was seen in a matter of weeks. I’m 6 months into treatment but it’s slow going. The key is to get treatment early before permanent joint damage is done, it’s is a progressive disease. Keep pushing or go private if u can. Good luck.

You need to see a rheumatologist. There are many types of autoimmune diseases that can mimic OA. Also blood tests don’t always diagnose some people with RA. You can have painful hands and feet with Lupus, Sjogrens, psoriatic arthritis as well as RA. Go and get a referral although the waits in most areas for new patients is very long.