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Date: 06.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi, my names Paul, all of a sudden about 3 months back tops of my arms ( biceps ) started hurting , my hips , down backs of my legs and my fingers have started hurting , really stiff round shoulders in mornings , wake up every two hours in the night , mostly my arms hurting , really sharp pain, it's there all the time but every few days it eases of for a couple of days then gets worse for a few days, hard to walk and move about ,waiting to see a rheumatologist and Neurotologist, I'ts stopping me doing my usual things, I'm 47 feel like I'm 87 lol..getting me down a bit now..any comments appreciated thanks
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Date: 06.04.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul, Sorry to hear that you are hurting so much. Have you had blood tests done that shows up inflammation? There are so many things that could be causing your problems and only a rheumatologist can diagnosis what is causing it. It is unusual to get hip pain with rheumatoid arthritis at the beginning of the disease. I hope it isn't too long until your appointment and you get some answers. if it is RA there are plenty of drugs that can help and some people find changing their diet can improve things. I hope you soon feel better. Good luck.
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Date: 06.04.2015
From: Sean

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul

I'm 49 now and have battled Ankylosing Spondylitis for nearly 30 years now.

Some of your symptoms (especially back of legs / buttocks, hips) sound a bit like AS - but the arms don't often get affected by AS. I've had shoulder and finger pain from time to time too. If it is AS then I strongly suggest looking at

WWW.kickas.org

There is lots of great advice there - even if its not AS some of the advice might still be of help to RA too.

Whilst you waiting for a referral a temporary fast / strict elimination diet sometimes helps with the inflammation by affecting gut bacteria - it's hard but it has saved me a few times.
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Date: 06.04.2015
From: sleek fox

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul, it's a really difficult time waiting for a diagnosis. I felt really despairing as I couldn't move and was in a lot of pain. I coped by taking things day by day and pushing for an early rheumatologist appointment. If things get really bad, go back to your GP to see if they can push for you to be seen sooner.
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Thanks for replies people, I had blood tests done they came back all good . Will look at AS and compare symptons.
Got a couple of weeks to go now to hospital appointments... Hopefully they will have a magic pill 😀
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

hi Paul , there is about 200 different types of arthritis , it dont realy sound like RA and seeing a rheumatologist is the best option

Your GP can check to see if you are RF positive & check your inflamatory makers , there are alot of other test the consultant can arrange , has your GP given you any anti-inflamatory drugs & have they helped
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Colin, no didn't give me anything , I had to ask for pain killers, gave me tramadol, to take of a night as I kept waking up with the pain, they didn't work so he gave something else , can't remember the name of them ( Not indoors at the moment to look ) but they aren't working , going to ring doctors this morning to see if any thing else I can have , I don't like taking pain killers, but I need to to sleep.
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Try and get the doctor to get you an earlier appointment, Paul.
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Rheumatology appointment is bit sooner than I thought , the 15 th which is next week, so not much longer to wait, I will keep you all updated , thanks
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Date: 07.04.2015
From: sleek Fox

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

That's great news. I hope you get some answers.
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Eileen Key

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul,
I sympathise with you. It's bad enough being in pain but when you don't even know what you're dealing with it's worse. I've had years of trying different prescribed meds and still have no idea what kind of arthritis I have. Lately I seem to have been taken more seriously and have been referred to consultants at the right department.
I wish you luck with your condition and hope you get the answers you need soon.
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Date: 10.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

thanks for your kind replies people,
Glad your being taken serious now Eileen, hope you get sorted.
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Date: 11.04.2015
From: sleek fox

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

You too, Paul. Do let us know how you get on with your appointment.
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Date: 15.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Saw Rheumotologist today, gave me a steroid injection, got to go back in 6 to 8 weeks, he said this would take the pain away , fingers crossed , well over due a good nights sleep.
Had more blood tests done and a chest X-ray , asked me if I was getting swollen joints hot flushes and bad skin and eyes, I'm not getting none of these symptoms see what the next appointment brings , hope the injection works.
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Date: 15.04.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul, good to hear your appointment was positive. The steroid injection should kick in soon. The lack of sleep is a big problem for most of us from time to time.
You could ask your Rheumatologist fro advise on this I had to take sleeping pills for 3months to get my sleep pattern back. I have had to do it twice. Fingers crossed you won't be needing to.

Take care and let us know how you are doing with the steroid injection.
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Well I'm amazed..good nights kip and woke up this morning and I reckon I'm 98% better.. pain has gone, I know it going to probably come back, but today is a good day and I'm feeling good
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

That's good to hear. Paul. Let's hope it lasts for a while. Sometimes it can last a good while.
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Yeh thanks Lucy, what gets me is the wait we have for hospital appointment ,3 months Ive been waiting and I'm sure there are people been waiting longer, it's so annoying especially when you are in pain.
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

I know, it's too long when you are in so much pain. I sometimes have to phone the rheumatology department and ask if I can go in for a steroid injection and they are usually very good at obliging. Perhaps the sunshine will help too.
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

That's good to know about phoing them for an injection, I ride motorbikes and have a couple of holdays away booked on them, I thought I was going to have cancel them sell my bikes and give up riding . hopefully not now :)
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

hi Paul , hope the injection helped , dont give up the bikes , wish I still had my Ducati 900 to ride but not sure I could now ,

with most people they can control arthritis very well , just it may take some time
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi, Colin, hopefully I won't have to give them up, Did Arthritis stop you from riding ?
Ducati do some nice bikes, expensive now though.
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Date: 16.04.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

had RA for almost 20 years now , had a Ducati Darmah new for my 21st birthday , had to pay for it myself , endded married with family & used it towards deposit on house, had few small bikes since but nothing since I developed RA

think could do a trike but not sure about a large bike , even cars had a auto since 1998
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Date: 10.05.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi , just an update, been nearly a month since Steroid injection, and pains are starting to come back, not had any blood test results back or heard when my next appointment is, has any one gone private to have injections, the waiting on NHS is a nightmare .
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Date: 10.05.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

It wouldn't do any harm to chase them up, Paul and try and get in to see them again and also to find out about the blood results. Some GP's will give the steroid injections although mine doesn't but it's not good to get too many, they are great though while you are waiting to find out what's wrong and until you get the right meds sorted out.
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Date: 11.05.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Did ring hospital Friday Lucy , lady said they hadn't looked at my notes yet and my appointment was over a month ago.
I keep reading that early diagnosis and treatment is important I don't know what hospitals definition of early is though, suppose once I get blood test results things might start happening treatment wise..
That's interesting that doctor may do steroid injection.
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Date: 11.05.2015
From: Barry

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul, maybe missing it somewhere, but whereabouts on your body was the injection, if it was cortisone, barry
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Date: 11.05.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul, I get my steroid injections done at my Gp practice. It might be worth you ringing and finding out if your practice does them.

Good luck
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Date: 13.05.2015
From: sleekFox

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Paul, the 'definition of early' is to start treatment within 12 weeks.
That is the national protocol, I believe. It wouldn't go amiss to remind them of that when the time comes.

Now that you are in the system, you should be able to get an appointment more quickly. I generally ring up, or email, and am seen very quickly.

I'm not entirely sure whether you can switch between private and NHS for the same condition. I have heard that consultants don't like it because they don't have the control over the to your treatment plan. I would push for an early appointment. The other thing to bear in mind is that some consultants will limit steroid injections. Mine is quite liberal in that I can get them every two to three months but it isn't ideal because of side effects. I have a friend whose consultant will only give her one or two a year.

I hope you get seen quickly.
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Date: 13.05.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Had Steroid injection in my buttock Barry,
12 weeks to start treatment , had the Steroid injection bang on 12 weeks , had no other treatment,
If it keeps getting worse will have to ring hospital again and ask for another injection ,
Had a quick look at getting injections private , nearly fell over ..how much !!!!! forget that

Just like to thank you all for taking the time to answer me , great forum and very helpful .
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Date: 14.05.2015
From: rinnnatajacc14

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi,
These posts provide me valuable information on health issues. I donāt have any knowledge about this topic. You should contact the expert. I am sorry for that.
.
[url=http://www.ezdia.com/epad/water-filter-reviews-information-water-filter-system/6864/] WATER FILTER REVIEWS AND INFORMATION [/url]
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Date: 14.05.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Could find any help from the WATER FILTER REVIEWS but I am now an expert on Under sink Filtration systems, nice one thanks
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Date: 21.05.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Just an udate ,got to the point I have got to ring rheumatoligy dept at hospital today to ask if I can go get another steroid injection, my hands are bad this morning can't grip any thing properly also pain in arms and legs.
I have still heard nothing about my blood test results, my appointment was over 5 weeks ago so shall ask about that as well, I'm self employed and need to go to work, will let you know later what happened.
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Date: 21.06.2015
From: Paul

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Update for any ones that's interested, wouldn't give me a another steroid injection so went to docs and got steroid tablets, brilliant ,pain gone away, been on them for 3 weeks.
Had my appointment at rheumotology dept last week , blood test results was all good, showing no signs of rheumotoid arthritus... Doc prescribed vit D tablets and more steroid tablets gradually reducing the strength of them over a couple of months... Fingers crossed
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Date: 21.06.2015
From: Sean

Subject: Re: Are my aches and pains RA ?

Hi Paul,

A few thoughts on Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not synthesised properly without enough magnesium - in fact magnesium deficiency alone can cause Vitamin D deficiency - and is often low in arthritis patients - even before Calcium supplements.

With it being summer Vitamin D can easily be got with a few minutes in the sun each day.

The two supplements that Doctors give us for arthritis - Vitamin D and Calcium both have an interdependency on Magnesium. With Calcium stopping magnesium absorption.
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