X-rays - how often? | Arthritis Information

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InflamedOnline's post about erosions and who has them made me wonder how often most have x-rays.

For me, it was in April 07 shortly after diagnosis and not since.  I did ask my RD and she said they generally only do x-rays every 2 years as they don't really change much, especially if the first one wasn't alarming.   I'm now approaching my two year mark, so anxious to have another set completed.

Cathy 
Cathy, my fired, ex, left the state rheumy said two years too.  I had baselines done by my chiro at dx.  Had them again at 1 year.  Had them again at 2 years.  Nothing showed in all three sets.  Had MRIs done as I read this is what should be done - confirmed synovitis in the wrists, and moderate-severe damage in the fingers and hands, the majority of it from osteoarthritis, not RA.  A small amount of RA thingys :) showed up.  Now I know why my wrists are weak, and the pain in my hands is from regular arthritis.  But the hand osteoarthritis did not show up in the x-rays - interesting.  I have x-rays yearly...My Rd believes in tight control.Hi,
Every 2 years for me.
-Joy
there may be a standard of 2 years, but I know from my own experience that a flare can cause some damage to happen FAST!
My xrays were in March 07.. I will ask to have them again.. I firmly believe that I have more damage... even though right about that time, I started enbrel.

i've been x'rayed so often I glow.  Everything gets x'rayed at least once a year.  My hands because of surgeries generally get x'rayed at least twice a year

very interesting. Good post.My RD goes with once a year.  But many parts of me haven't been x-rayed yet.  We were so focused on my wrist.  But after seeing jaw damage...my hips flared badly for about a month, no way to know if any damage was done.  They are fine now (at least with Mobic...it masks too well!)  My left foot has been painful for months and I haven't had any x-ray of it.  Need to do so next appointment--thanks for the reminder! :)I was just about to ask this question also.  Just saw my RD and asked him, he said not for at least a year?  I was shocked! I had Xrays @ DX in July I'm concerned about the MTX not working and the RA progressing - I have joint damage and boney erosions in my little toes.  He says that he uses his exam, labs and my complaints or (lack of) to measure how I'm doing.  He also said erosions take a long time to appear?  I was kind of wondering wether to get a second opinion, he did say that an MRI may be done if he's not sure if theres still inflamation - which he could still feel in the toes( I can't tell other than the constant tingling sensations) - but said to come back in two months at that time we would discuss taking 10pills up from 8=25mg MTX adding Planquil and/or Biologic  -if I still have inflamation- My labs to this point have been normal I go every 8 weeks.
Don't you worry about too many x-rays?  You go to the dentist--they x-ray.  You get a manogram--that is an x-ray.  You get your hands, wrists, whatever else x-rayed.  You have to have a chest x-ray to take Humira.  I mentioned my neck hurt, they wanted to x-ray.  X-rays are a carcinogen.  Don'tn you worry just a bit that it might be too much too often? 
Well I just had a thyroid uptake plus I had a jaw x-ray monday so I am feeling nice and radioactive.  I dunno.  I feel like I need an x-ray of my left foot soon because it hurts so bad and no one has taken one.
 
All the same, before I was dx...complained about wrist pain to GP, he ordered an x-ray.  It was fine.  Referred me to an orthopedist 2 weeks later.  They took an x-ray.  It was fine (I told them the other one was too!)  He dx me with tendonitis and when I was in a major flare less than a month later, he was out of town (day after christmas--I couldn't sleep, the pain was so bad, my hand was SO swollen) so I told the other ortho, x-rays have been fine, but what does he do? Takes an x-ray (then orders the MRI that was used to dx inflammatory athritis). So that was a bit of unnecessary x-raying all at once.  I find orthos tend to just snap away. 
Sounds like every 2 years isn't too uncommon.  I've been pretty well-controlled, so that may be another reason why she's fine waiting.   My next appt is in January and that will be almost 2 years, so I'll be sure to request another set taken.    I have read that MRI's are being used more now and that there are different types of MRI machines that make it easier and less expensive as well.   I don't think my RD made a move to MRI's, but we'll see.
 
Katie - your docs are x-ray happy.  Seems like a waste of dollars when they could have just looked at the prior ones or taken you at your word.   You keep reading about patients needing to be more careful with healthcare costs, I think the same can be said for some professionals as well.  
 
you need to bring previous recent x'rays to the specialist or they will repeat them.  Without seeing the films they don't know the quality or position of the x'ray.  They don't know the qualifications of the person who read them.  Bring the films and they can read them themselves and you won't have to repeat the series
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