Upset with Doctor | Arthritis Information
I'm really new to all this RA stuff. I just need some advice from someone who knows.. something... anything about RA.
I went to my family doc with pain and stiffness in my wrist / fingers... This has been going on some time... I can not open a pill bottle or a jar of sauce.
I went to the local Arthritis Center - from what I heard that have the best of the best there!
My first appointment I wanted for 6 weeks to get and I was very disappointed when I left. The doctor just told me to keep taking the diclofenac and ordered blood work and x-rays. .. No biggie. I had a follow up in a month and I was so excited for this appointment. I thought for sure that he would help me.
Basically he told me that I should say w/ the diclofenac- the blood work (sorry I forget the name I think it was something like CRP 3) was over 250 which is off the chart but that only means I will someday, maybe have RA issues. The doc could not see any swelling; therefore, RA is not present now. (and they lost my x-rays)
I wanted some kind of help. He scheduled me to go back in 9 months. What am I to do for 9 months. Deal w/ the pain? Why should I have to?
Is this normal? Should I get a second opinion? Should I demand to see this doc again! I was just so upset... I didn't know what to do!
I would venture to get a second opinion.
did they ask you..
are you stiff in the morning?
did he physically examine your joints? or just visually?
I am sorry that you aren't being handled the way you feel you should..
I would also get copies of the tests done w/ this RD to take to the next one.
Good luck.
read these articles
http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/8/1568.full
definitely get a second opinion.I feel your pain and frustation, as I am going through the same thing! I am venturing a guess that your test result is actually for CCP. I had positive RF but negative CCP, and for that my Rhuemy gave me the "no RA in sight, lets just wait and see". Argh! I was given a diagnosis by my Ortho doc, based on positive RF and clinical exam (I also dont have swelling) but lots of pain & stiffness and I am going back to her to have images done of the joints, I will press for MRI. If they show synovitis, tenosynovitis or erosions, I will go back to the RD with images in hand and insist I get some treatment started before my joints are permanently damaged. If the images are negative, then I will relax and just pray these terrible symptoms resolve. Do you know what your x-ray results were before they lost them? If I were you, I would seek a second opinion! I'm sorry you are dealing with this, hang in there though, and keep looking for answers. Also, for more answers and info, go check out rawarrior.com.
MicheleGo with all the advice from the above posters.
I think you have been given a bum steer.
I too agree with the above posters. When my orthopedic referred me to a rheumatologist, she told me if the wait was too long, to call her and she would help get me in sooner. I was told the sooner you get properly diagnosed and started on some type of treatment, the better the outcome in avoiding permanent joint damage. I've heard that this disease can do damage in as little as six months if left untreated.
Get a second opinion!FYI.
some of us have no readings on RF or CCP but get our diagnosis in other ways..
Don't give up the fight..
Well I'm gonna try to get everyone's questions answered.
1) No - you would think that they would have done more x-rays, but he said that he'll look for them and redo them when I go back if I need to (IN 9 MONTHS). They were apparently never read by the doc.
2) Stiff in the morning... no - not really. I do notice that by about 11 am I'm doing my best, but by 4 pm - just the thought of cooking supper in painful. I have started to notice my knee's being sore more and more... not so much morning stiffness.
3) My RH Factor was high from my PCP more than 5 months ago. I have the lab results from there - most them mean nothing to me... My WBC, platelet count, ABS Segs, ANA dilution, and SED rate were all high.
I do have an appointment for for a second opinion (based on a referral of my PCP) for August 3. I have requested my results from the 'quacker'.... I don't WANT it to be RA - I want an answer. If it is RA I want something to help me control the pain. I'm a mother of 2, I work full time and run a business part time on the side. I never stop.... but lately I've slowed down a lot because it can take it all night to fold 2 loads of clothes.
Thanks so much for the support! I really need it! You are all wonderful!\
Shannon
what was the ANA reading in your blood work?
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com