Well some good news… Today he examined my knee and said he thought I needed to try a DMARD… So off to the rhuematologist I go. I’m not sure how long it will take since he said the waiting list was long. Guess something interfering with the walking he wanted me to do was the breaking point for him. He also switched me from Zantac to Tecta which he thinks will work better for me. It was almost like a different doctor!!! Who would of thought 13lbs would make that much difference!! =)
Allan said:
Hi Roni
When I first started to get knee ankle foot soreness I had no idea I had PsA, nor did the doc! I had similar soreness to that that you describe around your knee. I now know it was caused by the tendon being inflamed and, because I had no treatment, I lost one knee joint within a period of 18 months and the other within a 12 month period. Although I now have artificial knees I get the same pain when the tendons become inflamed and tight.
I agree with Andrew that if you have PsA and are getting these sorts of problems you need proper treatment and medication from a doctor who understands PsA. Many don’t. Change yours if he doesn’t. Ask the next one if he/she understands PsA or is willing to learn. If not try again. Don’t risk losing your knees.
Thank you both for the advice and support! I love being able to come here and find people who “get it” and can relate to my aches and pains!
Allan- I’m so sorry it took such major problems before you were diagnosed. I was dx very early on. After several bouts of tendinitis in my hands an xray, followed by a bone scan indicated arthritis in several joints. To be honest I didn’t believe it at first because I didn’t have pain in the joints the rheumy said I had arthritis in! Took a few years before those joints started to be an issue. I guess I was lucky in that respect!
Andrew - your outrage on my behalf was exactly how i had been feeling for a long time. I got a little emotional reading it because you absolutely “got it”. The new doctor refusing to prescribe pain meds was really hard just because although I don’t use them often when I need them I really need them!
Aside from the knee, the walks are helping quite a bit. Although I’m very sore when done the walks (both joints and muscles screaming at me) I am not nearly as stiff the mornings after as when I don’t walk. I’m going to keep it up because of this and it’s a nice stress relief for me and my hubby enjoys them too! I know the weight will keep coming off so hopefully I’ll be down to a good weight by the time I get into the rhuematologist.
I agree - the squeeky wheel does get the grease...make an appt. every month (or more) until he refers you...that's basically what I did and I finally got to see a second rheumy after the first one was a quack. I also agree that, technically, your doctor could be sued for malpractice.....you've already been diagnosed for god's sake! That's terrible! Good luck and good job with your perseverance!
Roni said:
Unfortunately in Canada you have to go through your family doctor for a referral. I tend to think the same thing...he's not very good with chronic illness. When he first met me he decided I didn't need pain meds so refuses to prescribe them. I was dx by two rhuemys originally. I didn't care for the first one so got a second opinion. I haven't been back since although I have been to a rehab doctor when the sacroillitis and spondylitis reared it's ugly head. This new guy didn't even bat an eye when my ESR was through the roof and I was running low grade fevers for over a month. His solution is always that losing weight will help. So I figure if I lose weight he can't keep ignoring the issue. It's the only solution I can figure out.
Andrew said:
You can't go to a specialist without your family doctor referring you? If that's the case I would find a new family doctor like tomorrow. Over time the PsA can do permanent damage to your joints. The medicines now are extremely effective. Even MTX, the old standby can work. The biologics can be amazing.
Don't let this disease cripple you. Either make an appointment yourself to a rheumy, or find a family doctor who will. You're doctor sounds like sh*t to pardon the expression. You have a very serious condition for which there is very effective treatment. You're doctor is keeping you from that treatment. It's wrong and it's unethical. Roni go and get yourself treated by a doctor who isn't a quack.
And when they finally schedule you an appointment for a month out or whatever, call the rhuemy yourself and keep asking until they fit you in that week. You've suffered long enough.. 15 years. Honestly your doctor should be sued, or shot. I am getting so mad typing this.
Go to psoriasis.org and call them. They can help you work through the medical process.
Agree with that…innundate him with visits till he takes it as seriously as he should…take someone else with you too…like Andrew says…this causes joint destruction…you should not have to wait for treatment…the earlier, the better! Good luck