Arthritis diagnosis

[nanonyous]

Does anyone happen to have information at hand on getting tested for arthritis in the Western Cape?

I've had joint pains since I was about 8, child physician told me (not my parents, for whatever idiotic reason) at the time that it was probably just juvenile arthritis and that I'd grow out of it. My parents regarded me as a hypochondriac as a kid since I got bullied at school and feigning sickness (though I did actually get sick often anyway) was one of the only ways to not have to go to school, so by the time I was old enough to realise joint pain simply isn't normal, they didn't believe me, and by the time I was old enough to go to clinics to ask about it myself, I was met with disbelief there.

Now I'm stuck with a receptionist at a local doctor that doesn't get back to me on queries for testing costs here in Napier.

Figured I might as well ask to see if anyone here has info before I begin getting nasty with anyone in a small town.


On the note of which, those of you that might have seen my activity on the forums and wondered why I seem like a bitter ******* - well, now you know one small part of the reason why. /excuses

 

[RiaX]

Blood test will work. You can look for RF which is indicative of arthritis although its not 100 percent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_factor

Secondly you can go for a radiology appointment on the painful joints. They will do an ultrasound scan to see the integrity of the surrounding tissue and maybe a standard xray to see if there is any damage.

Thirdly and probably your best option is to get a referal letter from your GP to an orthopedic specialist. A specialist will take you quite seriously.

 

[nanonyous]

Hmm, thanks, maybe making an appointment to see the doctor for a referral will get more attention than a query regarding testing from the receptionist here...

 

[CyraxHB]

Go to a rheumatologist.

When I was 21 I got arthritis for about a year. The rheumatologist said it was my body attacking itself in response to an infection.

After I got uveitis a few months ago they did blood tests and came back positive for HLA_B27 (i think that is).

Basically it means I have an auto-immune issue that makes me prone to getting arthritis/uveitis etc.

Might be worth getting the blood tests done.

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

Easiest would be to go to a decent GP and ask to conduct blood tests for auto-immune diseases - AFAIK HLA B27 is one indicator but there are others. @BrandonH - so your uveitis blood tests showed HLA being positive? Also had uveitis and in my case none of the blood tests came back positive... but my onslaught of uveitis coincided with joint pains (especially ankles and wrists).

 

[CyraxHB]

Easiest would be to go to a decent GP and ask to conduct blood tests for auto-immune diseases - AFAIK HLA B27 is one indicator but there are others. @BrandonH - so your uveitis blood tests showed HLA being positive? Also had uveitis and in my case none of the blood tests came back positive... but my onslaught of uveitis coincided with joint pains (especially ankles and wrists).

ya HLA B27 positive.

I had the joint pain 7 years ago then uveitis in September this year.

A GP first misdiagnosed the uveitis so it got quite bad resulting in it affecting my vision slightly. I'm going to the opthamologist on Friday so they can see if the eye damage is permanent.

Doc said its likely that both the joint pain and uveitis will keep occuring. I just need to get them treated quickly if they do come back.

 

[nanonyous]

Receptionist that didn't get back to me sees me in the shops today (two days later). Doesn't register with her at all.

My mom reckons the doctor she goes to in Bredasdorp would be a better one to go to anyway. Going to at least let the local doctor know her receptionist has trouble getting back to clients... this is the same receptionist that, when a man was unable to breathe on the porch just outside the clinic's entrance, she said he can 'wait' for the doctor to be ready, even when his lips began turning blue.

She's happy to talk about problems with the skin on her forearm to others though! *grumble*

 

[HavocXphere]

@OP: Try to get an appointment with a rheumy straight away, though they'll probably tell you you need a referral.

Also...good luck. Good rheumies have 1 year + waiting lists and cost a pile of cash.

@BrandonH - so your uveitis blood tests showed HLA being positive?

Its a pretty unreliable link. You might have one of these issues despite no HLA_b27 and vice versa.