Arthritis, its b******y painful and the doc was a comedian!

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I had pains in my shoulders initially and then in my elbows ans wrists, I put up with for about a year thinking it would go away, well it never and SWMBO made me an appointment with the quack. My consultation went thus:

Me: I have had pains in my shoulders, arms and wrists for months now.
Doc: How old are you? ( he has my details on his computer screen infront of him!)
Me: 52
Doc: hmmm, you are getting older.
Me: eh?
Doc: what do you do for a living?
Me: Gas engineer.
Doc: does that involve much manual work?
Me: yes
Doc: you need to find another job
Me: eh?
after a few seconds silence
Me: is there anything I can take for it?
Doc: not really
Me: how about cod liver oil tablets?
Doc: you could try smarties, they will do the same job for you, but will be much cheaper.
Me: thanks mate
Doc: Next.

and that is basically how my 45 seconds in the doctors surgery went.
 
A whole 45 seconds,count yourself lucky.
My Doc wouldn't spend that long if he were Autopsying someone.
 
I feel your pain Nigel, suffer from shoulder and neck spondolosis. it appears that not much can be done about it,yet.

I have stopped doing things that make it worse, carrying heavy s*** about and driving less.

Not much help,I know, but you ain`t alone pal.
 
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So you didn't even get a diagnosis!
You can't look at someone, listen to symptoms, and diagnose arthritis! What sort of voodoo witch Dr was this???

Definitely see another Dr.
Makes me furious.
 
I think he gave you good advice, smarties are cheaper than tablets, and will do as much good.
Maybe next year you can go back when you've put on 3 stone.:p
 
Well he's not much of a doctor is he?
Something you may want to try which I found better than cod liver oil, glucosamine and such like which I have tried. Green lipped mussel, I must admit when someone told me I thought, oh here we go again another alternative medicine that will be useless and mor money down the drain. Still I decided to give it a try and have to say I have felt so much better and my painful joints have improved quite significantly.

I have osteoarthritis, I'm a bit older than you and it was becoming quite debilitating. I have cervical spondylitis which can be very painful indeed and like Fracster I have tried to eliminate things which aggravate it ie heavy lifting etc. When my knees and wrists started to become painful and I was unable to bend at the knees without being in agony, or trying to hold my camera up then I was really peed off. I already take anti inflammatory mess and have for some time. I have to say since taking the green lipped mussel my knees and wrists cause me no more problems. Yes, this could be coincidence and they may well have got better without, who knows but I really think they have helped.

Just to add, before my retirement I was a nurse and really had little time for "alternative medicine" not all but some. I now have a more open mind;) Give them a try you never know. Bought mine from Amazon they were the cheapest:)
 
Maggie52 said:
Well he's not much of a doctor is he?
Something you may want to try which I found better than cod liver oil, glucosamine and such like which I have tried. Green lipped mussel, I must admit when someone told me I thought, oh here we go again another alternative medicine that will be useless and mor money down the drain. Still I decided to give it a try and have to say I have felt so much better and my painful joints have improved quite significantly.

I have osteoarthritis, I'm a bit older than you and it was becoming quite debilitating. I have cervical spondylitis which can be very painful indeed and like Fracster I have tried to eliminate things which aggravate it ie heavy lifting etc. When my knees and wrists started to become painful and I was unable to bend at the knees without being in agony, or trying to hold my camera up then I was really peed off. I already take anti inflammatory mess and have for some time. I have to say since taking the green lipped mussel my knees and wrists cause me no more problems. Yes, this could be coincidence and they may well have got better without, who knows but I really think they have helped.

Just to add, before my retirement I was a nurse and really had little time for "alternative medicine" not all but some. I now have a more open mind;) Give them a try you never know. Bought mine from Amazon they were the cheapest:)
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Our jack russel dog seemed to be slowing up and stiff at times. Took her for annual MOT and vet recommended Yumove http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yumove-Supp...?ie=UTF8&qid=1436224383&sr=8-1&keywords=imove which has Green lipped mussel. As soon as the vet said it I was surprised and thinking herbal bull s--h, pretty sure she saw I was a little sceptical but she explained hard to believe/herbal etc but they had really good results with most dogs/animals taking it. Anyway though what the hell and dog has been on it a few months now and it does seem to make a difference. Not recommending you take the dog medication/herbal treatment BTW, maybe have a look at the FB for Yumove
 
viv1969 said:
You can't look at someone, listen to symptoms, and diagnose arthritis!
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Why not? 90% of a diagnosis comes from the history (if it's accurately taken). Certain jobs and hobbies can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
 
omens said:
Why not? 90% of a diagnosis comes from the history (if it's accurately taken). Certain jobs and hobbies can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
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And if it's not osteoarthritis?
If it's, for example, rheumatoid arthritis?
Completely different disease. Different (and more effective, often) treatments.
Simply looking at a person and hearing them say "I hurt", won't differentiate between the two.
Sloppy initial diagnosis can wreck a life when it comes to being told you can't receive a treatment because the condition is already past the point where it would be effective.
 
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One thing that surprised me when I found out I had athritis ...after having a camera inserted in my knee and loads of tests..all done proper................ I asked the doctor will it get worse in damp or cold conditions. he replied... theres no evidence to show that the weather effects in this way. (cant remeber exact words but basically saying no proof or facts to show weather effect joints) ....he went on...... however as a doctor for nearly 40 yrs I can assure you it will...

and he was right.. some morning i can tell you what the weather is like before I even look out the curtains..

cure? know your limitations....
 
omens said:
Why not? 90% of a diagnosis comes from the history (if it's accurately taken). Certain jobs and hobbies can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.
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And how would you take an accurate history in the appointment the OP described?
 
Sounds like the sort of doc who would tell you that you had 4 minutes to live. If you asked him if he could do anything he would offer to boil you an egg.
 
I had lots of tests when I changed doctors and a few days later I got a phone call.

Receptionist: The doctor needs to see you about your blood test results
Me: OK what is wrong exactly
Receptionist: You will have to speak to the doctor
Me: Can I make an appointment for Friday then?
Receptionist: No she wants to see you today!
Me: I am at work, what is the latest appointment you can do
Receptionist: 2pm

I got to see the doctor at about 2:45 after my wife and I were worrying for hours about what was so urgent.

Doctor: You have high cholesterol
Me: Right, so how bad is it and what happens now
Doctor: Its not too bad, get a book from the library and it will tell you how to change your diet, that should help!
 
viv1969 said:
Simply looking at a person and hearing them say "I hurt", won't differentiate between the two.
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boyfalldown said:
And how would you take an accurate history in the appointment the OP described?
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Clearly misinterpreted what I said. I didn't say the OP's doc did an adequate history, but merely pointed out a decent history would give a diagnosis in the majority of cases. Examination and tests are there to back up the hypothesis. I've had patients tell me their symptoms such that I don't even need ask any more questions, such was the thoroughness and clarity of their story-telling.
 
KIPAX said:
One thing that surprised me when I found out I had athritis ...after having a camera inserted in my knee and loads of tests..all done proper................ I asked the doctor will it get worse in damp or cold conditions. he replied... theres no evidence to show that the weather effects in this way. (cant remeber exact words but basically saying no proof or facts to show weather effect joints) ....he went on...... however as a doctor for nearly 40 yrs I can assure you it will...

and he was right.. some morning i can tell you what the weather is like before I even look out the curtains..

cure? know your limitations....
Click to expand...


Nothing to do with arthritis (although I know how debilitating it can get as my Nan was riddled with rhumatoid arthritis) I was referred to the hospital as I kept getting really bad mouth ulcers.

It started when I was a kid then in my teenage years I'd get them at the back of my mouth and on my tonsils. Had my tonsils out when I was 22 but the ulcers kept coming back.

The consultant I saw said that all the blood tests etc I'd had were fine and that there were no underlying health issues that would be causing them.

He then went on to say "Unfortunately the medical profession has failed you..... we're not really sure what causes ulcers, once one pops up you've usually got it for around 2 weeks regardless of how you treat it. What I can tell you is that if you smoked you probably wouldn't get any ulcers at all but please don't get yourself a packet of B&H on the way home"

That was 16 years ago and I still get plenty of ulcers :(
 
omens said:
Clearly misinterpreted what I said. I didn't say the OP's doc did an adequate history, but merely pointed out a decent history would give a diagnosis in the majority of cases. Examination and tests are there to back up the hypothesis. I've had patients tell me their symptoms such that I don't even need ask any more questions, such was the thoroughness and clarity of their story-telling.
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Certainly not for Arthritis I would hope; nor any other disease / condition that could easily be mistaken for another due to poor / lazy diagnosis procedure.
 
I have had a touch of arthritis in my knees and fingers for years, does not seem much that can be done about it. Tried all sorts of lotions and potions, keeping warm and dry helps me. In the winter, my fingers go white and are very painful..
 
jonbeeza said:
I have had a touch of arthritis in my knees and fingers for years, does not seem much that can be done about it. Tried all sorts of lotions and potions, keeping warm and dry helps me. In the winter, my fingers go white and are very painful..
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That's sounds more like Raynaud's Syndrome.
 
viv1969 said:
Certainly not for Arthritis I would hope; nor any other disease / condition that could easily be mistaken for another due to poor / lazy diagnosis procedure.
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There are different types of arthritis and for the common "wear and tear" osteoarthritis, it can be diagnosed clinically if the history fits. Rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthropathies often have a different set of clinical symptoms (and signs).
viv1969 said:
That's sounds more like Raynaud's Syndrome.
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How do you know it's not Raynaud's phenomenon?
 
viv1969 said:
That's sounds more like Raynaud's Syndrome.
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No idea, but different doctors said Arthritis :thinking: my fingers get painful in the winter, if I go out in the cold and wet, then fingers tend to turn white. Nowadays I keep my hands in my pockets, that seems to help a little..
 
My family and friends all know I have problems with my fingers, someone actually bought me fingerless gloves :facepalm:
 
Cannabis works, seriously, it was given on prescription for Arthritis at one time and still might be for all i know.
 
Doctors are there for emergencies in my view !

About 20 years ago a tripped and landed on my knee a week later it swelled up quite badly. went to doctor to be told I had a broken knee cap and
needed an xray to confirm it, WTF I had been walking on it for 2 weeks, well I;m signing you off work till we get the results, 6 weeks!!

Went and had the xray, as I knew It wasn't broken probably just badly bruised, no harm in walking on it, sick note returned to doctor.
Went back for results and was told nothing broken but U had degenerative arthritis in the knee which may or may not get worse with age.

Fast forward to just before christmas 2013 and I slipped on some ice, hit the same knee, same thing but far worse, sent to different hospital for xray etc
again no damage and here's the shock, absolutely no sign of arthritis, she even showed me an exray of an arthritic kneee which would be undergoing further rests
mine looked pretty much healthy.
Turned out I had torn the medial tendon and ended up on crutches for a while

So excuses my mistrust, I had 20 years of looking at a bleak future only to be told it wasn't.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Cannabis works, seriously, it was given on prescription for Arthritis at one time and still might be for all i know.
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Is that in medicinal form, or smoked ?

If it's the latter, I already have a pipe for my baccy :-)
 
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Raynaud's phenomenon IIRC is supposed to be primary ie no other associations. Raynaud's syndrome can be part of other things like scleroderma. Hence I'd never call it Raynaud's phenomenon unless in the absence of other conditions or symptoms.
 
It's a b*****d of a disease and If I was the OP I would ask to see another doctor or go private to a Ortho Specialist. It can start effecting your sleeping which in turn causes other problems and can have a big impact on your quality of life etc............. so needs proper diagnosis.

I'm ridden with the disease, which first started when I was in my mid teens when my knees first started to give way. Had my first Knee Arthrosocpy operation in my early twenties and have had numerous since. I have had Subacromial Decompression opertaions in both shoulders and with my left shoulder they seemd to have damaged my nerves with the Nerve Block they give to reduce post op pain. I have had no benefit from either ops. I have also been having problems with my elbows, forearms and hands (numbness). I have had nerve testing and they think the nerves are trapping in elbow and causing the problems and are unrelated to the shoulder ops which I thought were linked, along with my GP. I have an appointment with Ortho Doc this coming Monday but the Nerve specialist recommends they operate as it will get worse.

I have tried all the different medicnes and alternatives (including afghan black, grass etc..) over the years and for me personally I have found no benefit from any of them. I can't use Ibuprofren as the medicine plays havoc with my stomach.

Due to other problems I know take, Morphine, Gabapentin and Amitripilyne for the pain, they help to get me out of bed in the morning but dont stop the pain. I need both Knee's replacing along with my right hip, but due to my age @ 48 they are reluctant to do, due the possible short life span of replacements and my Fibromyalgia and Arthritis in lower and upper back.
 
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Just making a note of all the people likely to be grumpy... :D
 
Gremlin said:
So excuses my mistrust,
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Like a lot of things these days, they are not as good as they used to be, ;)
Glad it wasn't arthritis BTW :thumbs:
 
Cobra said:
Like a lot of things these days, they are not as good as they used to be, ;)
Glad it wasn't arthritis BTW (y)
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Damn Doctors should be better though, all this new research etc.

Not as glad as I am, thanks :)
 
There are times when my work involves explaining to patients that everyone is unique, and that because a particular treatment that works for one person does not necessarily mean that it will work for them.
 
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