rheumatologist

[mcbeth1]

Another question please guys,  

I live in the UK & having been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis my pals have been asking me why I have not been referred to a rheumatologist...is this normal not to be referred or should my doctor do this without my asking him to refer me.  I have the arthritis in the feet, knees, hip, hands (which have little creamy coloured bony lumps on the finger knuckles - 2nd down from the nails, I also have problems with straightening or bending the fingers that have these lumps on).  My blood tests come back normal but my doctor said that he has made a visual diagnoses becuase of the swelling, pains & lumps etc.  Many Thanks

[mcbeth1]

Hi TrudieC & many thanks for your reply...I was first tested for Rheumatoid arthritis whic came back negative, so I was told it was Chronic Fatigue (ME) to go home & to make the best of life I could...this was not my own doc & then I had no visible signs, then I went back when I had the signs that I described before & again I was tested for Rheumatoid factor, protein etc these came back normal & that is when my own doc made his visual diagnoses.  Apart from that I really had to push, push, push (in a pleasant way of course) to get any of these tests done at all, it was hard work trying to convince them that I really did have a problem that wasn't going away, they really must have thought it was all in my head to make me ask for help so many times, trouble is no other surgery nearby I can get to...my own Doc says "have these bloods taken, if it comes back positive I'll refer you to Rheumatology, if not then you have Oseoarthritis" bloods came back neg, medication prescribed, patient not exactly sure what's going on.

Will attempt to make another appt with doc & this time take along my husband, if he asks all the questions then we can't both be hypochondriacs (not even sure how to spell it never mind being one)...I will let you know of any news...mcbeth1

[TrudieC]

I would be asking for a referral to a rheumatologist.  Your bloodwork can take time to develop and relying on a visual diagnosis could hurt you   If it is not that by not getting early treatment it could greatly affect you.