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NHS won't help me, need to find a specialist but don't now what sort.

Posted , 8 users are following.

kayleywalker87
kayleywalker87

Apologies in advance for the length!

I work at an ice cream parlour, needless to say I do a lot of ice cream scooping and end up doing A LOT of heavy lifting.  About 8 weeks ago my wrist, elbow and shoulder really started hurting. It was a dull ache when not moving and whenever I lifted or twisted my arm it would be a terrible shooting pain.

I found a knot in my wrist which I massaged out and helped with the wrist area. As most of the pain hadn't gone I went to my GP and he gave me Naproxen and CoCodamol. 

I then took and week off and relaxed it, in which time the strain led to both sides of my neck and my glands went up. I had a sports therapist come and massage several other knots out of my back and shoulder blades. Which helped some areas of pain but my elbow persisted. 

I went back to the GP and he then gave me more Naproxen and Tramadol. 

I had another two weeks off doing stretching excercies, light yoga and plenty of baths. I also did hot/cold treatment recommended by the sports therapist. Most of the pain remained in that period if I did not take the Tramodol. 

I feel as though I needed more time off of work but I would not have been able to pay my rent on the sick pay provided by my employer so had to return to work.

I have been back at work for about 5 weeks now and have had mutiple appointments with the sports therapist. I haven't been back to the GP and he did not even touch my arm so I haven't a clue how he knows what's wrong with it. I have however been taking the drugs to help me get through the painbut I do not want to be dependant on them forever and still do not have a diagnosis on what is actually wrong. 

A few things have been suggested as being the problem, RSI, Tennis Elbow and Nerve damage. 

Really what I'd ike, is for someone to be able to assess me properly and to be able to actually tell me what the problem is so I can take measures to fix it. I feel as though it is getting worse again and do not want to cause myself any permanent damage. 

Can anyone thing of a type of specialist I would need to see to help me? 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • escot
    escot kayleywalker87

    Posted

    I would recommend to you my Rheumi at the Royal Free Hospital she is fantastic, I was diagnosed as having PMR in July 2013, prescribed steroids, and another Rhuemi said not PMR but wear and tear,finally had 2nd opinion, and bone scan.

    Different diagnosis and now beeing treated correctly

  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 kayleywalker87

    Posted

    Hi Kayley. I would suggest that you need a Rheumatologist. It sounds like you could have the right tests and things then. They will definately do blood tests including inflamation levels and possibly a bone scan to give them an idea of whats happening to you. If you get a diagnosis of suspected PMR they should give you Prednisolone 15mg for a week. If this reduces your pain by at least 70% it confirms the PMR. Since your pain seems to be more joint orientated it could possibly be arthritis/osteoporosis/rheumatism as well. Getting a diagnosis is the hardest bit! Good luck, Let us know how you get on, Debbie
  • Xxxxxtttttttttt
    Xxxxxtttttttttt kayleywalker87

    Posted

    Yes I agree you need to see a rheumatologist. Whereabouts are you? I am in the north west and think I have finally found a good rheumatologist! It has taken many years to come across one so thorough!
  • Bababoyd
    Bababoyd kayleywalker87

    Posted

    I would say you need blood work and a Rheumi also.  In the US it is hard to get into hem as there must be a major short supply.  I was seeing sone I did not care for and took me 8 months to see who I see now.  Worth it to make the apt. and wait the 8 months while seeing the one I did not car for.  Good luck
  • EileenH
    EileenH kayleywalker87

    Posted

    I think you are really in the wrong place here - this forum is for an autoimmune arthritis/rheumatism. 

    If you have injured your shoulder then you need to see an orthopaedic specialist - and whether you see them through the NHS or privately I think you will need a referral from your GP. I would try a different GP in the practice and tell them you don't want to be fobbed off with pain killers, you want the cause of the pain identified and treated if that is possible. 

    It is your right to have a referral if the GP is out of their depth. What you describe doesn't sound at all like PMR and I don't think a rheumatologist is the right person - it sounds more like an injury, and that is supported by the suggestions you have had put forward. 

  • blodwyn
    blodwyn kayleywalker87

    Posted

    HiKayleywalker,

    I don't believe your symptoms are PMR.I'ts more likely to be a  RPI or Tennis Elbow.I agree that I may be something to do with your job.I've also suffered with this sort of thing in the past always due to the job I was doing at the time and it's extremely difficult to deal with.

    I suggest you harass your GP to do more than just give you strong painkillers.

    Why have you not gone back to him?

     I don't think a Rheumatologist is the answer but a Physiotherapist or Orthopaedic might be, but in the end you may have to look for another job.

    I suspect that if you've been trained properly,the lifting may not be the main problem but the wrist and arm twisting could be.Why not try looking for another forum which deals with joint problems and you may find more help there.   

     

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