Date: 06.03.2010
From: Lynne
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Subject: What to do
Hi I have been referred to a rheumatologist recently as my GP thinks I have arthritis but all the blood tests came back negative but I have chronic pain in my wrists elbows knees ankles and at the last couple of days it has started in my neck can't sleep and the GP has suggested wearing splints but I feel like the bionic woman :( any suggestions advice
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Date: 06.03.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: What to do
hi Lynne, I've been in your shoes and the only advice I can give you is to push hard for an early appointment. Oh, and if you get into real trouble, try and get an occupational therapist to come and visit you at home and give you some stuff to help around the house. I didn't and struggled very hard to manage. It's a really tough time when you have serious pain and no diagnosis but lots of us have been through it so just come on here and let off steam! Others might have better advice for you. Best of luck.
Sally
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Date: 07.03.2010
From: valh
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Subject: Re: What to do
lynne (((hugs))) it hard do be kind to your self try not to push your self to much the meds do help when you get them hope you do not have to long to wait we get to choose which hospital so i just said the one with the shortest waiting list lol good luck
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Date: 07.03.2010
From: paul
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Subject: Re: What to do
Hi Lynne, You can have arthritis that comes up negative in blood tests, its called sero negative arthritis. I had this for the first 3 years. I had all the symptoms of RA as yourself. I then became really ill with RA and it then changed to positive in my blood tests. Ask your GP for help with sleeping, i did as i had almost 6 months without a decent sleep. He placed me on amitriptyline, its actually a anti-depressant but it knocks you out and has anti inflammatory properties. Hope this helps :-) best regards Paul
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Date: 07.03.2010
From: Jill
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Subject: Re: What to do
Also amitriptyline helps with nerve pain from the neck....might make u feel wooozy to begin with, but after a week your body gets use to it....the advise the guys have given u Lynne is what any of us wld tell u, all of us have ahd a bad time going thru the rotten waiting times for rhummys, gps, consultants, but once u get there, they will sort u out, take soneone with u good luck
Jill
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Date: 07.03.2010
From: lynne
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Subject: Re: What to do
Thanks for the replies and tips. I will let you know what the specialist says. Seeig the gp on tuesday so will ask about sleeping tabs. Anything is worth a try. I was starting to question myself when the bloods came back negative was the pain in my head or what?? but thats reassuring to know that sometimes bloods come back negative.
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