Arthritis- do I need to see a doctor?

I started with arthritis in my fingers when I was about 40. It's quite bad now. GP isn't in the slightest bit interested in my case. It seems that pain killers/anti inflammatories are pretty much the only treatment and my pain/stiffness isn't bad enough for me to take those meds 24/7. There are health supplements you can try – glucosamine/omegas etc. – but I'm not sure how much they would help. It's rubbish. Painful at times and I now struggle to hold mugs and open jars etc.

I started with arthritis in my big toe on right foot (confirmed by x ray) when I was mid-20s and it's slowly progressed to right knee and right elbow joint in my now late-30s. There isn't any treatment unfortunately, mine can flare up and calm down again dependent on weather and how active I've been. I've got a very active job so tend to be quite achy a lot of the time unless it's the summer when it's all a bit easier. I did try ibuprofen gel on my toe a few years back but didn't seem to help.

Doctor’s are not interested! They send you away with instructions to ‘take a couple of Paracetemol’ ringing in your ears. You’re either ‘too young’ for a knee op or ‘too old’. Doctor’s don’t care that there are probably millions of people hobbling around in agony due to Arthritis…

You need biologics to stop or slow progression and reduce/stop deformities.

Any auto immune condition can have a serious impact on your health and quality of life.

Yes you should see a.doctor and get.a referral to a rheumatologist.

And thay goes for all of ye on the thread. Doctors can do plenty, ye have shit ones, go find a second opinion and support.

I'm just in remission for a couple of auto immune conditions but mentioned I had some issues with stiffness and pain now that my steroid use is very low, particularly my right arm. I was told it was arthritis and to take paracetamol too. End of.

I started out with what was for years thought to be osteoarthritis, but ultimately was rheumatoid arthritis - a completely different kettle of fish. It you actually turn out to have RA, the earlier it's diagnosed and you start proper treatment, the far better off you are.