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Date: 30.06.2010
From: Kathy

Subject: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum, and interested to read your messages.

I have been suffering for at least 6 months from varying degrees of pain and stiffness in my hands, especially my right hand. In the last couple of months I have developed an earache, pain in the joint of my left jaw and aching in the left side of my face. I've also had various aches and pains which appear to come and go in other places too.
I have had my first appointment at Rheumatology and was told my platelet are low and I shouldn't take Ibuprofen any more. I was told to take paracetamol instead, but these have no effect unless combined with codeine. My friend gave me some with 30 grams of codeine which work better than the normal 8 gram ones.(I only take one at a time.)

I have to wait until the end of October for another appointment at the hospital and am concerned that I could well have developed problems with another joint by then. I have made an appointment to see my GP in the meantime.

I have heard it takes a long time to get a diagnosis though, but haven't heard that low platelets are part of inflammatory arthritis, which is what my GP said she thought I have.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
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Date: 01.07.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Hi Kathy welcome, u can always go back and c if the doc can expedite your referal.....they do that all the time, if your getting worse that is.... with inflam artha or R.A. which is also inflamatory too, we can get anything...worse if on Methtrexate and Anti TNF meds.... U wont beleive the things ive had over the last few years, and all the corrective surgeries due to R.A.(seron NEgatvie R.A btw).....another new thing ive since discovered!....anyway good luck and get that appointment brought forward....or even better, righnt the Rhumatologists Secretary, its normal for us to do that, she can put u in earlier...goood luck xx
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Date: 02.07.2010
From: Abbie

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Hi there and welcome! If you're gonna see you're GP soon, I would ask for stronger Co-Codamol of your own and a stronger anti inflam. And then If you're condition is then still worsening, call and push for your Rheumy apt to come forward, or get you GP to phone coz they tend to have more clout. I really hope this all gets sorted for you soon and that you get the answers that you need. Go well X
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Date: 03.07.2010
From: Kathy

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Thanks for your advice and encouragement. I feel my aches and pains are minor compared to those I have read about on this site.
I keep thinking that one day I will wake up and feel normal again!
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Date: 03.08.2010
From: Kathy

Subject: Re: Waiting for Diagnosis

Hi again. I did go and see my GP, who tells me I have been grinding my teeth or clenching my jaw which has given me the ear ache etc. I am taking muscle relaxants, but they haven't really helped much. I am going to the dentist to have my bite checked out.

He also tells me I probably have OA in my thumb joint. This doesn't explain the swelling in my knuckles on both hands at the base of my first and second fingers. Some days it feels as though most of my hand and right arm hurts.

I wasn't too bad for a couple of weeks and then the symptons came back again and my jaw seems to be worse at the same time as my hands. Don't think it is just my imagination. But who knows. You would expect the doctor to.

I have an ultra sound tomorrow and them a long wait until the the end of October unless the dentist comes up with something.

I am still taking my friends painkillers along with the muscle relaxants.

Thanks for listening.
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Date: 03.08.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

hi Kathy, you are right, it can take some time to diagnose inflammatory arthritis, if that is what you have. If you don't have the RF in your blood it makes it much harder. You are also right that oa in thumb joint doesn't explain other pains. You know you can ring the rheumatologist or his PA if things are getting worse or you are worried? You could also ask him to recommend some stronger painkillers to your GP. I was given the run around for about 3 months before I even got a rheumy appointment. By the time it came round I couldn't actually walk so they sort of had to do something - which was to admit me to hospital where I spent 10 days before I was fit to go home. Lots of GPs are not great at looking at the whole picture unfortunately. Don't suffer in pain. Talk to your rheumy. Let us know what the dentist says.
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Tom H

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Hi Kathy,

Are you having regular blood tests? Because i think you should be if your platelets are low.

Cheers
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Date: 30.08.2010
From: Kathy

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

Hi All you kind people,

My doctor says I have nothing to worry about re the platelets, they have been between about 119 and 145, but I think the hospital are looking into it.

The dentist said my jaw pain and earache are due to my wisdom teeth, I have an appointment in November to have one of them out. NHS dentist so its a long wait. She did say there is no sign of arthritis in my jaw, which is good.

When I had the ultrasound done they said I was showing signs of wear and tear at the base of my thumbs, so I guess it could be OA, but will have to wait and see.

Thanks for listening.
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Date: 30.08.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: Low Platelets - waiting for diagnsis

hi K, Glad everything seems to be sorting itself out.
xx
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