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Why won't anyone diagnose Osteoarthritis.

Posted , 9 users are following.

KimmyC77
KimmyC77

Ok i'm new to this!!  For the past 6 years i have had left hip pain on and off.  Recently, my right hip has went the same way, but unlike previous times with my left hip, i am struggling to recover!!  I'm in alot of pain, find it hard to move around sometimes.  The joint isn't swollen and an xray showed nothing as did blood tests.  I have all the classic symptoms of this condition so why wont my doctor listen to me?  Atm i have no diagnosis and am awaiting to see the Osteopath but have been on the list a long time.  I've been off work since September and feeling really down as i have no diagnosis!!  Anyone else had the same or similar problems?

3 likes, 51 replies

51 Replies

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  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK KimmyC77

    Posted

    Hi Kimmy

    I had a bit of a job to get my GP to refer me to the hospital bet he did.He had been telling me there was nothing wrong with my hip/leg {I hadnt even thought arthritis}

    On going to thre hospital.....diagnosed with OA in both hips.  MRI's show arthritis in lots of other places....ankle, lower spine, neck etc

    I did have a THR but I was 60 then.

    I'm on paracetamol and naproxen, get cortisone injections, physio, nd some accupuncture from the physio dept at the hospital.

    Thats all I can tell you really

    I'm sorry you are suffering so much at such a young age

    Love

    Eileen   UK

    • KimmyC77
      KimmyC77 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Thanks so much for taking the time to reply Eileen.  The thing is my blood tests and xray haven't shown any signs of arthritis, but i've been told osteoarthritis maybe wouldn't show?  I"m hoping my appointment with the osteopath is sooner rather than later!!  I hope your not suffering too much Eileen.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK KimmyC77

      Posted

      Hi Kimmy

      Pain certainly doesnt show on X Rays....a lot of docs forget thatrolleyes

      I thought OA would have shown??

      Hope the osteopath appointment is soon

      Is this a priveate appointment?

      Keep in touch and let us know what happens

      Love

      Eileen  UK

    • KimmyC77
      KimmyC77 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      I have been referred to Spire healthcare, but through the NHS if that makes sense?  Been waiting over a month now.  I just want to get back to work and have my life back!!
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK KimmyC77

      Posted

      Hi Kimmy ....yes that makes perfect sense

      I just hope you hear soon

      Do you know  his name......if you do ring the place and ask to speak to his secretary. They are usually very helpful.

      Just ask if she has any idea how long it will take before you get an appointment......even is she tells you its in the pipeline and due to go to you soon that should cheer you up a bit. and they also are good at rushing appointments through after you have spoken to them.....thats what I've found with the orthopaedic consultant I see......his secretary is good.

      Love

      Eileen  UK

    • KimmyC77
      KimmyC77 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Thank you so much.  Yes thinking i'm going to phone on MOnday if i haven't heard.  Ideally i would like to be seen before Christmas.  I shall keep you posted smile
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK KimmyC77

      Posted

      Morning Kimmy

      Thanks for the reply.....Good Luck with the apointment

      Love

      Eileen  UK

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK carole1948

      Posted

      Hi Carole

      I was in my forties when I got this pain in the top of my leg, and buttock. It never occured to me it might be arthritis.....just a pain in my leg....gradually got worse and I went to the GP {still about a pain in my leg} it must have been 6 months or so of it gradually getting worse before I went to the GP./......then another 6 months of going back and forward {occasionally} then asked for a referral.......that took about 3 months.  Then after I had seen the consultant approx another 6 months

      Thats very rough times.  That was five years almost for my first one.

      It was fine except that he had me booked in for about  months after the first one to have the second one done...HE cancelled it.....decided it might be my back....I do have spinal problems

      He said referred pain from back to hip....so off the the back specilist...no referred pain from the hip to the back.....that started about  years of back and forward between the two of them and getting no further forward.rolleyes

      Eventually i had my 2nd one last Jan.....about 10 months ago,  weeks post op, doing an exercise {NHS one} there was a crack and I fractured the greater trochanter bone.....never heard of it before but up at your hip where they do the replacement

      Still on 2 crutches and will be for the rest of my life BUT dont anyone panic about a THR......that fractured because they discovered afterwards that I have osteoporosis and that was why it fractured so easilycry

      Love

      Eileen  UK

    • carole1948
      carole1948 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Eileen, what a nightmare.  Now that could make you seriously depressed.  I can't think that far forward.  I'm out in Spain for the winter so I am a little confined in what I can do for myself, but I have found an English osteopath and will be making an appointment with him.  I just need a little reassurance (and I know he can't give me all the answers) but at least I will be talking to someone who can throw a little more light on my position and hopefully suggest a few things which might help.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK carole1948

      Posted

      Morning Carole

      It must be hard being in a foreign country......but at the same time.....lovely. My joints would love the heatbiggrin

      You say you cant think that far ahead.....DONT......a lot of people diagnosed start thinking what the rest of their lives will be like??

      None of us know {whether we have arthritis or not} what the rest of our lives will bring. Take it one day at a time.

      Hopefully your osteopath will be able to help you .......any idea how long you might have to wait for an appointment?

      Love

      Eileen   UK

    • carole1948
      carole1948 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Eileen, thanks for your comments.  On the basis of my friend, not long.  Possibly next week.  Will keep you informed.  I have high hopes and feel v positive about this appointment.  At least I feel I am doing something positive.
  • janburns
    janburns KimmyC77

    Posted

    Yes. I've had pain in my inner groin area and now in my hip and it's been hurting about a month and my doctor is sending me a referral to a pain doctor! I asked for an orthepedic specialist but she ignored me and meanwhile I have to go to work with this pain. I do have osteoarthritis which I found our when I had an mri a few years back and it's in my spine but manageable with tramadol.

    Now my doctor says if I can't wait for the pain doctor then go to urgent care! What is this? I could be a better doctor than she is! I don't know if this is the arthritus or a groin strain cause it keeps changing. I sympathize with you. How do you deal with the pain? I got an xray recently and it didn't show anything and they act like nothings wrong and are rude when I call and the receptionist is telling me what the dr is saying.

  • sharon176
    sharon176 KimmyC77

    Posted

    hiya hun , 

    im sorry your having a bad time of it , like you no one would listen ..and 5 years later of take soem painkillers and see will that help ..i got a new Doctor 

    and what a doctor she is ..a total turn around, wanted to do  tests to rule out anything else, had physio didnt help so she got me an xray , i now know after the 5 long years i now have Osteoarthritis of the lumbar ..not that thins is great news ..im just happy i know im not stupid and its NOT all in my head ...which i started to believe ..keep ringing places and see if they can put u on a cancelation list ..if they have one.

    i hope you have had some joy since you posted this ...duh  just noticed u posted 8 months ago ...but good luck what ever help you have had or not had . 

     

  • jan24575
    jan24575 KimmyC77

    Posted

    Hi Kimmy,

    Have been reading your posts as I am in a desperate situation too - your life and symptoms are almost identical to mine so won't bore you with the details! Only difference is I'm 49 and have had this for four years, the doctor first said it was Ilio-tibial Band Syndrome and the Physio said it was OA, I haven't even had a proper diagnosis! Had two lots of phsio but to no avail. Today I have changed doctors and an appointment in two weeks.

    How have you got on, and have you tried any of the things suggested here - have they helped? Hope something has! Hope you are feeling better, the constant pain makes you so miserable.

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