Arthur-itis

Inflammatory arthritis can come and go and affect every joint, which is what you're complaining of Newquay. Many people struggle on for years before referral to a rheumatologist - they're experts in their field, GP's are not, they are general practitioners. I absolutely agree with you, it does feel like do it yourself health care. the NHS is being privatised at a real rate of knots.

Morning. Thanks Tanith and Andyf. Just wondering what a rheumatologist can do that GP can't which is what he said? Glad lam64 you've got good treatment-glad it exists!
Spoke to someone yesterday whose wife has PD. Son paid for her to see someone and she's now taking a different drug which is making a difference.
It really feels like do it yourself health care these days doesn't it?

I have osteopina ,osteo arthritis and inflammatory arthritis - luckily I'm prescribed good treatment for the inflammatory arthritis which keeps it from taking over my life. I am prescribed AdCal d3. I can't take turmeric because I'm on warfarin, which also means I can't take anti inflammatories. Tedious isn't it.
I find yoga and walking help with pain and stiffness and also keep me (a bit) sane. In extremes I take co codomol at night.

Newquay, I was recently told by an orthopaedic consultant that everyone has a right to a referral. I told my son this ( he had recently been told no by his GP).
He went back with this knowledge and was given one! ( apologies if I am repeating what anyone else has said, I haven't read all the comments)

Newquay I have an app re the back/numbness problem in June and I have to go back to the GP for result of the xrays on hips, haven't managed to get there because of being on jury service for two weeks so have to go after I get off the jury service . In the mean time my pain isn't good but just tolerable.

Yes Charleygirl, I do take AdCal when I remember, but I've also read of problems with that! As it's a tablet that you chew I've read that it can be bad for your teeth. Honestly - what do you do. This getting older is certainly not for wimps

I have to admit I stopped taking turmeric in favour of some rather strong painkillers from my GP, for arthritic hip. Pain helped but doesn't go away.

Doing physio, not sure that helps either. How bad does it get before you get to see a consultant???????

This is a life changing bore I could do without. Had hoped to celebrate 40th wedding anniversary but all's on hold ( wow sorry didn't mean to have a moan. It just came out. )

Oh yes I take adcal for osteopenia. I thought alendronic acid is for osteoporosis.
How did you get on Tanith?

My rheumatologist recommended annual infusions of Zolendronic Acid - same family as Alendronic. I had the first one in December and briefly had some aches and pains, but these were all over within about ten days. I do hope that they stop the osteoporosis advancing further. Is AA really necessary for osteopenia? I also take AdCal and have done so for almost 5 years.

yogagran have you tried Ad Cal D3? You should get that on prescription from your GP. Alendronic acid is usually prescribed if one has osteoporosis and not osteopenia. It ia worth a try rather than taking nothing. You could have a word with your local pharmacist and see what price they are charging to buy the Ad Cal D3 or if he has any better suggestions.

I've come to this thread rather late after putting in a search for Turmeric as I have been wondering if it would help my increasing hip pain.
I was diagnosed with osteopenia a year or so ago and prescribed Alendronic acid. After taking this for about four months the pain got progressively worse to the extent that I was unable to walk without a lot of pain. I took myself off the Alendronic acid and the pain slowly got better. After an appointment with a specialist who insisted that I "needed" Alendronic acid to stop the deterioration of my bones I went back on it and the pain increased again. I'm now off it for good after researching it online (Yes - I know we shouldn't do that!) and discovering that it's a known problem.

Ah thanks

Sorry LullyDully ROM= range of movement , and THR=Total Hip Replacement.

Sounds bad tanith but got a bit confused with your acronyms.is THO a hip replacement ? Is ROM rheumatism?

Just got back from my GP app in a bit of shock, as I described my symptoms he called for all my old notes re back surgery and THR , and I just mentioned casually I had some numbness that comes and goes and he straight away said I need to examine you as that could be serious. Calls in a chaperone and does what needs to be done and then says I'm referring you for an urgent CT at Charing X as a precaution. I have to wait for a letter.
He also checked my reflexes and ROM in the hip and I'm glad that he took that seriously and I have to go get an xray at the local hospital to access my eligibility for THR so hopefully he will do a referral as soon as he gets the results of that. So things are moving on the hip front I just hope the 'numbness' thing comes to nothing and is just the result of the Sciatica.
Hey Ho! Arthritis/Sciatica is not to be taken lightly its definitely a pain in the @rse for sure.

This getting old ain't a barrel of laughs is it-although I do realise this awful illness strikes the young too as Alea has said.
I honestly, I realise now naively, thought it would be years before I would start to creak and groan. I didn't think it would be this painful this soon
I don't think there's anyone in my keep fit classes that doesn't have to pop pills for something or other though. Watching us getting up and down from the floor is v entertaining!

Thanks annsixty I hope he is too I shall make my case forcefully for sure. Do try persevering with the Naproxen its really the only thing that's helped me, my old GP told me last year that the next thing for my pain would be an opiate drug, a route down which I do not want to go, so I've managed to hobble on for another year but the time has come now, OH says if they won't refer me he's going to make me go private and as much as I want to resist doing so I'm beginning to think I could be persuaded if I don't get some hope of relief soon.

I wish you well too.

I certainly didn't tanith.
I had a trapped sciatic nerve over 25 years ago which was acute but in my memory didn't last very long ie weeks rather than months
I have my current problem for ages now and am quite incapacitated apart from the dreadful pain. I wish you well and and a very understanding GP.

Actually Lullydully my DD has suffered from a particularly aggressive type, Psoriatic Arthritis since before her 30th birthday and is currently on a 5 year antibody drugs trial at Barts. I have seen her coping with a demanding job involving business trips to the Far East, limping into work in central London, crippled by it, so don't worry we don't appreciate the pain. I take Naproxen for the common or garden wear and tear type of osteoarthritis, so you don't need to hope I never ger arthritis. Been there, got that.

Sorry my spelling is awful I meant Arthur of course..

Not mocking , I swear by my Naproxen, just have to smile at Arthur.

I'm a sufferer also with multi-joint Authur, I've had one hip replaced and have an app tomorrow with my newish GP to request a referral back to the surgeon who did my first hip as now my other hip is at a level I can no longer tolerate. I take Naproxen highest dose and have done for over 10yrs I could not function without it and believe me I've tried, I also take fish oil every day and have tried most other alternative meds and treatments nothing else helps.
Its got to the stage I know will make the difference when requesting a referral with my hip, resting pain, disturbed sleep, can't put my socks on any more without dear OH's help and now every step is excruciating I've had 2/3 bouts of painful Sciatica this year and I can no longer do the stretching excercises I need to do to help with the Sciatica as my range of movement in the hip is so limited , my hip has been deteriorating since I retired but in the last 2mths its got to the point of no return.

I have great sympathy for anyone who suffers with this dreadful disease, people sometimes don't realise just what a debilitating and dreadfully painful condition it is..

I heard arthritis described as Arthur ritis some years ago-apparently he never comes alone-which is my experience now. I heard the term about 20 years ago when DD2 went down with rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager. There then followed what can only be described as nightmare years. However a few years ago a new, biological, treatment became available and although she is not free of this dreadful disease life is easier for her. Roll on a cure say I!
So I can''t really complain about wear and tear arthritis now I'm 67 can I? I have had v good use of my joints; DD2 certainly hasn't.
Really must try fish oils and other supplements although Arthritis Research say their help has not been clinically proven. It works for some and not for others.

Alea I do hope you never get arthritis. It is worse pain than you can imagine.

I am on the 12th day of Naproxen with no improvement at all. My problem seems to be a combination of an arthritic knee and something which GP says is coming from my back.
I can't take Ibuprofen while on Naproxen and paracetamol isn't touching it at all.
Sympathy to everyone else because it's b****y awful.