Hi everyone,

I have received my copy of the letter from my rheumy visit of 13th August. It states that I have PATELLOFEMERAL CREPITUS of both knees. Previous inflammatory markers ere high so repeats asked for. GLOBAL SCORE 60

Can anyone help me understand this please?

It does mention 6 tender joints, but no swelling

I had x rays of knees, hands and feet, and at the bottom of the letter he has written that x rays of hands and feet showed no signs of erosions, and knees showed degenerative disease

My understanding would be that the knees have been damaged by osteoarthritis. I could be wrong though. I think crepitus means bone rubbing upon bone. I'm sorry I can't be of much use. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will step in tough and I'll read the replies as I'm trying to learn as much as I can about RA. Best wishes, Naomi.

Thank you Naomi and Julie

I have been seeing a different consultant who doesnt seem so helpful. The first time I saw him he said that I looked "spaced out" I told him I was in pain and hadnt slept much for a while.

I found it quite difficult to have to go through everything again with someone else. I had been seeing my original consultant for 2.5 years, and have no idea why I've been swapped around.

Oh well, that how it is, I suppose

Hi there

Each time we have an appointment with our rheumatologist they draw up a DAS score which measures how active the disease is. On each visit your rheumatology nurse will examine 28 joints (fingers, knuckles, elbows, wrists, shoulders, knees) to check for tenderness and swelling. They also combine your ESR and CRP readings, as a measurement of how much inflammation is in your blood and overall this gives them a global score of your disease activity. It sounds like your knees have been hit the hardest from the R.A disease. The R.A can also affect the spine, which is something I have found out recently.

I should try and stay with the consultant you trust and feel the best rapport with, don't feel you have to move to another consultant for their sake. Best of luck...

Love
Rebecca

Lyn you did make me laugh!!!!

He didnt do a DAS at that visit. The one before it was 5.2, so he said it was quite high.

I only get to see the nurse every three months, then she examines the joints and if there are any problems and she wants to prescribe anything she goes into the consultant for confirmation

I prefer to see my original consultant, but I don't know who to contact. If i leave a message on the ansaphone it takes a few days for a reply, theres no one available to talk to apart from the receptionist.

Maybe when I go for my appointment I could ask the receptionist to make sure it goes onto Dr Garrood's pile

Thank you everyone, I do appreciate the replies x x x x x