I am feeling really angry now that I've got over the shock of being diagnosed with RA. I had been going to the GPs for years with joint pains, numbness and pins and needles, limb weakness and overwhelming fatigue, telling them that something must be wrong and begging them to find out what it was. I would often implore them....look them in the eyes and say I KNOW something is wrong with me but I don't know what. I was not referred to a consultant until my symptoms got so bad that I could hardly move. One GP said she didn't think it was RA otherwise I would have lost weight. However I had the classic joint pains in my fingers and knuckles and had carpal tunnel syndrome which is often associated with RA. I have studied the NHS choices map of medicine for RA and according to this I should have been referred years ago. I really hope that the incompetence of my (former) GPs has not caused permanent damage to my joints. I am angry that I was made to feel like a hypochondriac and that I was actually going mad. I really wrestled with my knowledge that I had these symptoms and the GPs' inappropriate reactions. GRRRRR. I have changed my doctors surgery to one with a GP who specialises in rheumatic conditions and have a lot more faith in the new practice. I don't only feel anger on my own behalf as I am coming to realise that my story is all too common. I feel like writing a letter to all the GPs at my old practice as I want something positive to come out of this experience. Thanks for 'listening'. Has anyone on here had similar experiences and what did you do about it?
Naomi.

Thanks Jean. I know there's no point in being angry...but I am. I need to work through my anger as I think it's justified. Things should not have happened as they did. I think a letter to the old GP practice is in order. At least then something positive might come out of it and someone else might not go through this. Thanks for your thoughts. I will reflect on them.

Naomi

I fully appreciate how angry you are at not being diagnosed earlier. Yes the same thing happened to me. I think I have had RA all my life. I am 48 and was finally diagnosed 2 years ago. I can remember many occasions during my teenage years, 20's and 30's where I have had really bad joint pain and fatigue. I was constantly at the doctors and had a gut instinct something was wrong. Blood tests were done and nothing came up and I really started to think I was a complete hypochondriac.

About six years ago I had what I know now was a massive flare which completely siezed me. The doctors had to come out and see me as I could barely move. She took bloods and thought I might have acute onset rheumatoid arthritis. When the blood tests came back she said I have very little inflammation and told me "it must just be a virus". I was off work for six weeks. I carried on being in pain with no answer.

Two years after that my Husband became seriously ill and for the next two years I battled to get him medically retired and a pension. In January 2008 his medical retirement came through. My whole body breathed a sigh of relief. That's when my immune system really started to go into overdrive. In July that year I contracted Shingles and then that Christmas I lay prone in bed for two weeks with a serious case of flu. By January 2009 I was very ill and finally a new GP recognised that "something" was not right but he thought he might test me for rheumatoid arthritis but his words as I left the surgery were "it is highly unlikely". Two days later I received a phone call for me to contact my GP urgently and the rest is history.

Unfortunately my joints are severely damaged. I had my first knee replacement in January this year and the other knee needs to be done at some point. My ankles, wrists, elbows and shoulders are also affected.

Yes I would defintely have liked a diagnosis earlier in my life but I think this disease is so difficult to diagnose and GP's are generally very ignorant of the facts. I do believe we are dealt a set of cards in our life and it could be worse.

Jackie
xx

hi Naiomi
I agree you need to work thru the anger you are feeling. It can't be buried as you have said that will just stress you more. I think it sounds a good idea to write it down how you felt you were treated and send to previous gp's like on the lines of what Jean put. and do vent your anger in the steam room, thats what it's there for!
There are so many different feelings you will wade thru it seems to go along with this wretched RA.
all the best to you
sue v xx

I agree that a letter might be a good thing, not just to get things off your chest but also for any future RA patients who walk through that GP's door. I asked if I could stick up one of the NRAS posters about the 3 S's in my GP's surgery, and that made me feel better too. GP's have to deal with so many symptoms that it must be hard to recognise everything first off, but its awful that they didn't try harder when you kept coming back. I wonder what NRAS are doing about doctor's education about RA - do they learn about it in medical school I wonder?

I agree Jean. 3 days training in rheumatology is not enough, especially as there are so many different rheumatological conditions. The idea of the 3 Ss poster is a good one. I'm not sure if my old surgery has one up but I will find out.
Naomi X

Hi Naomi,

Sorry to hear you are having a bad time with this, I hope things settle soon and you get some relief. On World Arthritis Day I set up a table in my Doctors Surgery to promote awareness of this awful Disease, myself and my youngest daughter were there for a time handing out leaflets etc When I left at the end of the day I left lots of information on the desk and gave the nurse a laminated RA poster to display and a 3 S's one too. I have handed out some more of these although there are guidelines at what they are allowed to display in a chemist Window. Surely making people aware of RA is far more beneficial for everyone.

Thinking about you

Take care Lorna x

hi i too was shunted by the doctors saying they didn't know what was wrong with me I was going to all sorts of clinics for about a year and still came away with we don't know whats wrong.I had bloods done for everything but didnt get an answer.My hubby said lets go private and after fifteen minuets he told me I had RA No blood tests just from what I had said and guess what he was right that was 34 years ago and have recieved treatments but now I think the the nhs don't care anymore and it's a case of get on with it.When I think of the care I was getting 32 years ago when dianosed it's unbeleivable I was able to contact my ra specialist and tell him what my problems where and one occassion I was booked in At buxton (Don't know if anyone knows about that marvelous place) for bed rest and any treament that I required I was a young mum and never been away from my baby but the experience was very welcome although I cried while there to be back home with my baby and hubby You will never get the treatment ever again and it is sad.I think now we may have a few doctors that care

That really helps Jenni. Thank you for that. Thank you especially for replying when you have so much on your plate at the moment (as I know from your other posts). Naomi X