When to see a Rheumatologist?

elphers · 03-24-2006, 08:48 AM

Hi All,
I was just wondering-- how does one know if they need to see a rheumie? Right now I was given samples of Celebrex for my knee arthritis from my orthopedic surgeon. And so far it's not helping! Two years ago I had a tear and degenerative arthritis in the same knee. He doesn't seem too concerned. My back also is killing me! (since Dec.) But I do have osteopenia, which I'm not sure if it's related. My hemotologist did the RA factor blood test which came out fine. But my friend with rheumatoid arthritis said that her rhuemie told her that the best blood test is something like CNA. Not really sure, but there's a better blood test out there. Even if I just have arthritis, should I see a rhuematologist?
Thanks!
elphers

Ilovetocruise · 03-24-2006, 10:02 AM

I have had the same question. I have terrible arthritis in one of my knees, shoulder pain after surgery with upper back pain, and nothing helps. My primary refuses to do an RA on me, says i simply don't have it. Everytime i have surgery which is supposed to help, i am in more pain, chronic pain, afterwards.

Kissa · 03-24-2006, 11:49 AM

There are many types of arthritis but the most common are Rhuematoid Arthritis, Lupus and Osteo Arthritis. While I do not have RA and am not real familiar with it as a whole I do believe it is often genetic (someone in your family history also has it) where as Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of a joint over time, damage to a joint or can be caused by surgical proceedures and has no bearing on family history. The tests for them are not the same. RA is an autoimmune disease which attacks the joints lining and not necessarily the joints themselves. Degenative Joint Disease is actually a form of Osteo Arthritis.

Just because an RA test comes back negative in no way indicates that you don't have some form of Arthritis, it just might not be Rhuematoid Arthritis, it could Osteoarthritis. Symptoms of RA are often a bit different than OA which is why the one posters dr. may have indicated to them that they do not have RA. OA is characterized by one single joint which has inflamation (or you can have several with OA as I do) and affects the bone but RA affects many joints such as your hands as well as your internal organs and it affects the joint lining itself.

Inflamation as a whole is determined by what is called the SED rate but it too can be misleading. This is not the same test for the RA factor. OA is often diagnosed by X-rays where the doctor can actually see the degeneration of the joint or bone and RA is actually ruled out.

Because the two of you have SPECIFIC joint issues I would surmise you do not have RA but OA instead.

If you have symptoms of Arthritis and feel you are not being treated properly by your general practitioner then it is time to see a Rhuematologist. There is no specific time to see one it is a personal choice.

Oh and for what it's worth, I'd much rather have OA than RA or Lupus.

Barbie

ToBeFreeToRoam · 03-25-2006, 01:31 AM

Hi Everyone,

Kissa sounds like she is giving yall good advice and knows what she is talking about. I do not know as much, but would like to say a few things, anyway!

I now have RA. Possibly something else, also, or instead of. I have been going to a Rheumatologist for about 1 1/2 yr. My family dr. sent me. My Rheumy did only blood tests at first. I was put on muscle relaxers and pains meds only, as she first thought I had OA. She goes mainly by what she sees in and on my body and what I tell her. Plus the blood test results.

I got worse (am not supposed to take anti-inflammatories) and she did a sed rate again. It was only 20. Which is not the lowest, but not too high. She still said that I had RA, now. This time she did have x-rays of my hands done. Ok, for now - no d*******ies, yet.

So, now I am on the first two drugs, plus Prednisone, Relafen, and Methotrexate. The last one is new. I will eventually get off Pred., because it caused me to gain 20 lbs. !!! Any, most of the time I feel ok, but my hands, wrists and such are still swollen and hurt. Especially my knuckles and my knees, elbows and shoulders.

I think that you should make an appt. with a rheumatologist soon. It may take up to 2 months to get in. The will check you out well, if you get a good one!

Take care and good luck.

Wannabe