What is my next step? | Arthritis Information

 

Hi everyone.  I'm relatively new here, I've posted a couple of things and everybody has been really helpful.  So, I have some more questions for you.

My knees have been stiff and swollen and painful for about 5 weeks now.  The right one was first and has been the worst throughout.  I am on the road for work, so two weeks ago I went into an urgent care clinic because I knew something was not right with my right knee.  Their first advice was to take naproxen and pain killers and hopefully that will work.  The next day my left knee started to hurt.  I went back a week later because nothing had improved.  At that point they did an RF test they said to rule out RA because both knees were involved.  Otherwise they were talking about doing an MRI.  The RF test came back normal so they told me to take celebrex and see what happens.  Apparently they were no longer interested in doing an MRI.  Now another week has gone by.  The stiffness has gone down a lot, both knees still appear swollen, and when I walk it feels something like I have no cartilage in my knees, all crunchy and painful like.  I am stuck here for two more weeks for work before I can get in with a doctor at home.  Soooooo, my question's are-

Wait and see my doctor at home in two weeks?  Could I be causing myself irreversable damage in that time?

Call this clinic, and demand they do further tests, like the other tests for RA, or an MRI, or X-Ray's or something? 

Go to another urgent care clinic here, start over and hope for the best?  Even though I'll be starting with a new doctor again in two weeks.

I am wracking my brains trying to figure out what is going on and what I should do.  Any input is welcome.

I forgot to mention that I have an appointment scheduled with a DO, at home on the 12th.Special, it is really frustrating playing the waiting game with this disease, and we've all been there. Having a soon appointment with a DO is a good thing. Even when you see your doctor they might not prescribe anything new until you've been diagnosed by an RD, which depending on where you are can take months. Sorry I don't have more helpful advice---maybe someone else will.

Also, it's possible you just have something called Reactive Arthritis which can resolve by itself or with a short course of antibiotics.  Or some lesser malady. Here's hoping!
I'm hoping too!  I really have no idea if I have RA, but my symptoms led me to RA, which led me here.  Everyone here is so helpful, so I keep coming back.  I will definitely look into Reactive arthritis, I have never heard of that before.  Thanks Gimpy.Hi Special, if you have a doctor at home, call and ask to speak to the doctor and tell him/her what you've told us and see what they suggest.  If not, you only have 2 choices - wait it out or go back to the clinic.  I'd check in at the clinic and see if they would order an xray or MRI of your knees.  If they do, make sure that you take the xrays with you when you see your doctor and also a copy of the radiologist's finding.  No one here can answer if you're doing damage to your knees, only your physician can advise you regarding damage.  Take care and keep us posted.  Lindy

Urgent Care clinics are not designed to diagnose anything but acute problems.

Unless you absolutely can't move wait until you get home.  2 weeks won't make a difference as long as they have ruled out infection.  I agree with Lin, call your regular doctor and get his opinion

 

Lin and Buckeye,  what you say makes sense.  I will keep waiting unless things seem to get worse.  Unfortunately I don't have a regular doctor, as I have just moved, and I never really went to a doctor where I used to live.  The DO I have an appt with is a brand new doc to me.  I am hoping I will like him and he will become my regular doc.

 

I can understand the pain and frustration of knee problems(one of the ways the ortho knew that I had some sort of arthritis).  I would wait until my appt. unless I was falling down or had some locking sensations when you are climbing or going down the stairs.  Those symptoms cannot wait.  Urgent care usually does not offer MRI, but I guess if it is urgent they can refer you, just make sure it is covered under insurance. 

Heat and ice can be your best friends.  You can also try a knee brace, although for me it always made the pain and swelling worse. 

Take care

The best thing I can add is to not panic about RA. Your symptoms could be OA as well...I have OA in my knees and it sounds a lot like your problems.
Make sure you write down everything the Urgent care has told you and done, and take it to your Dr appt with you.

I'd like to add my voice to what Granmma Kathy said.  I have RA, but the problem in my knees is OA.  If the naproxen isn't helping, you might try switching to ibuprofen.    See your new doc and give him all the info you can.  At this point I don't think there is much else you can do.
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