Waiting for diagnosis

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

Sorry to hear of all the pain and other symptoms you're suffering.

You ask whether you should insist that your doctor send you to a

specialist, since he has said that he won't do so, despite all of

your symptoms.

I would definitely insist -- and if he refuses, find another doctor

who will. You deserve to have this looked at by a rheumatologist.

It took me much too long (almost 4 years) to get my diagnosis of PA,

even though I strongly suspected I had it. I think I should have

been more insistant earlier on.

From what I've read on this site, PA is hard to diagnose and many

doctors are either uneducated about the subject or too conservative.

If it is PA, you need appropriate treatment and the sooner the better!

Sharon

> I've suffered psoriasis on my skin for nearly 30 yrs. In recent

years

> I've had pain in hands, elbows, feet(inflamation) back, neck, just

> about everywhere. Conjunctivitis and occcasional sharp eye pain and

> at times irritation and redness lasting weeks. Periods of confusion

> and absentmindeness, insomia and stiffness when starting the day

and

> FATIQUE.

> Had lots of blood tests today and prescribed vioxx, can't bring

> myself to fill the script. Feeling very sad but at least might know

> why I've felt so unwell for so long. I gather if all tests are

> negative then I'll have P.A. My DR. has indicated he won't send me

on

> to a Specialist, should I insist? Meg

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

Yes, insist! If your doctor refuses, get a new doctor. PA is a

difficult disease to diagnose. There isn't one single test that can

be done with definative results. You seem to have all the symptoms,

but diagnosis can be tricky since the symptoms could be indications

of many other diseases. But keep insisting to have tests done, keep

getting referrals until you get a diagnosis and treatment. Remember

that the squeaky wheel gets greased. A rheumatolgist should be at the

top of your list for a referral. If nothing else, a good

rheumatologist can rule out PA.

Good luck, Be well.

> I've suffered psoriasis on my skin for nearly 30 yrs. In recent

years

> I've had pain in hands, elbows, feet(inflamation) back, neck, just

> about everywhere. Conjunctivitis and occcasional sharp eye pain and

> at times irritation and redness lasting weeks. Periods of confusion

> and absentmindeness, insomia and stiffness when starting the day

and

> FATIQUE.

> Had lots of blood tests today and prescribed vioxx, can't bring

> myself to fill the script. Feeling very sad but at least might know

> why I've felt so unwell for so long. I gather if all tests are

> negative then I'll have P.A. My DR. has indicated he won't send me

on

> to a Specialist, should I insist? Meg

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thank you, Jane, sue and Holly for your posts about

the difficulty of obtaining a definite diagnosis. I was all set to fire

off a post about my current problems. Although I was diagnosed

with OA three years and change ago, my 167 RA factor didn't

show until July 2005. I guess I can date the diagnosis from then.

I switched health plans in June 2005, following the collapse of

the company who was paying my insurance. I promptly got my

own and a new Primary, who insisted that I had some sort of

neurological disorder and not arthritis. She called the 167

reading a " false positive. "

Two MRIs, at least six blood tests, an EMG and an MRA later, we

are back to arthritis. The neurologist declared that it was arthritis

five minutes after I first walked into her office. I haven't heard

from the Primary in some time.

I posted a list of questions, and thank you again, Madeline, for

your editorial input. Some answers were " refer to

rheumatologist and some " I don't know. " She said I would get a

complete list of my readings, though.

I made an appointment with the rheumy who oversaw my OA. I

wasn't too happy with his relaxed style of work, and the

appointment is for 03/14. I have time to consider whether or not

to go to him. I have a recommendation for a rheumy in

Manhattan, but this would involve serious traveling, two subways

and two blocks walking. The other rheumy has all my data,

though, and there is the matter of the devil you know against the

one you don't.

Anyway, I have a better idea of what I'm facing. Of course, I

should have known that already from reading all the posts.