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Swollen Joints and “Crippling”

Posted , 8 users are following.

amanda0388
amanda0388

Hi all,

My mom has been facing some health issues lately and it is devastating to watch.

It feels like her doctor is not being aggressive enough to figure out what is going on. 

I’m going to explain to my best knowledge about what is happening to her :

She is swelling at her hands, fingers, knees, ankles, shoulders etc to the point she cannot move.  She is crying in pain. 

Ex- it takes her several minutes to walk down a flight of stairs in the morning.  

Ex - can’t do/brush her hair 

Looking for any insight

I appreciate your time and recommendations 

-Amanda

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • carol303055
    carol303055 amanda0388

    Posted

    Hi Amanda, what a lovely daughter you are. It’s horrible to watch someone you love suffering and feel pretty helpless.   I’ve been where your mum is and it’s frightening. Her doctor needs to refer her  to a rheumatologist and he can take some baseline bloods in the meantime. He could also prescribe some stronger analgesics and even consider some steroids for the short term. I have found ice packs alsoprovide some relief. Could she see a different doctor if this one isn’t being terribly helpful? Good luck and best wishes. Carol x
    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 carol303055

      Posted

      Hi Carol,

      Thanks for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.  She has an apt for rheumatoid arthritis in December.  

      That’s still another month and a bit away for a potential answer.  

      She’s had blood work done amongst many other tests.  

      I’m about to take her into emerge and see what they will do for her. 

      Many thanks,

      Amanda 

  • Anonymous111
    Anonymous111 amanda0388

    Posted

    Has she been diagnosed with RA?

    Are her joints red and hot?

    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 Anonymous111

      Posted

      Hey!

      She has an apt for AR December 20.  

      Not sure if they are red and hot.  I know they are extremely swollen

      I will ask her and let you know

      Many thanks,

      Amanda 

  • Maxwell_747
    Maxwell_747 amanda0388

    Posted

    Hello its Maxwell i know where you are coming from i would go with you mum to the doctors ask him you what to be seen be a consultant who specializes in  RA . The RA consultant will not only find out what going on even if its not RA they will find out what wrong . sometime you need to let the doctor know where you are coming from and insist in a specialist who deals with this kind of matter its not much help what i have said but your mum needs to see someone who deals in this matter you doctor is good for getting your mum that appointment hope you mum gets well soon my mum as dementia its killing me not seeing her every week i'm a bit like your mum now the tablets the consultant will subscribe i have no doubt will help my best wishes go to you and your mum Maxwell .  

    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 Maxwell_747

      Posted

      Hi Maxwell,

      Thanks for the insight

      She sees a specialist for rheumatoid arthritis December 20.  

      It’s just been a long few months and she’s worsening, so thought I’d see what advice was out there 

      Sorry to hear about your mother. My uncle (who is 60) has vascular dementia and has been placed in a home. It’s a heart breaking disease.  Positive vibes sent your way

      Many thanks,

      Amanda

  • cherylnanny
    cherylnanny amanda0388

    Posted

    Hi Amanda. Carol is right. Insist on a referral. My lovely daughter took me for my first Rheumatology appointment when I was 47 and looked and felt 97!!. Your Mum will be frantic about the pain, but although a diagnosis is scary, in some ways it's a relief when you finally get the necessary treatment. I came out the other end, and 10 years in, it's completely manageable. Hope this helps. x

    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 cherylnanny

      Posted

      Hey!

      Thanks for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.  She has an apt for rheumatoid arthritis in December.  

      That’s still another month and a bit away for a potential answer.  

      Glad you are doing well.  

      Many thanks, 

      Amanda 

    • carol303055
      carol303055 amanda0388

      Posted

      Hi, it’s Carol again.  A month is long time when you’re in pain and it’s a horrible pain. There’s no reason why a GP can’t address that in the interim with more appropriate pain relief or even steroids.  What I did do was take photos of my joints when they were swollen.  It’s Sod’s law there’s nothing to see when you do get to see the doctor! 
    • linda17563
      linda17563 amanda0388

      Posted

      My sister had RA and when things were bad at the beginning she could ring the hospital and see the Practice nurse quickly, although your mother hasn' t been seen yet, you could ring the Rheumatology dept, and say, you are concerned about your mother waiting so long, she is getting worse, can she be seen sooner........what have you got to lose.......good luck....

    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 carol303055

      Posted

      Hi Carol,

      Thanks for the insight. I will have her do the same and press her GP to take care of the pain while she waits for her appointment with the specialist. 

      Many thanks again,

      Amanda

    • amanda0388
      amanda0388 linda17563

      Posted

      Hi Linda, 

      Thanks for the advice. I am going to stary to act as her drive to get things taken care of more efficiently - I cannot keep seeing her in the state she is in.

      4 months ago she was completely fine and then out of no where they started happening, which is very odd. 

      It's come to me picking her up if she's been sitting too long in a certain position.

      Many thanks,

      Amanda

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