Hiya - I hope everyone is doing ok? The Coronavirus is making life that bit more difficult!!
l wanted to ask if it is likely to have both MS and RA?
Having had MS for many years - 27 now - my condition had gradually worsened. But over the last 3 years or so I’ve really been in agony as my legs are not only incredibly stiff but am giving me so much pain! I’m really struggling to walk.
Following a recent meeting with my MS Nurse she suggested that I discuss this with my GP to consider ruling out other causes?
if this is RA - can I take anything to ease the pain?
Thanks Sue xx
Hiya Sue
People can have RA as well as MS, they fall into the same kind of ‘group’ of autoimmune disorders. So there are lots of people on here with both.
You can get RA ruled in or out with a blood test, you’d have to ask your GP. The only problem is getting a blood test done at your surgery right now. The district nurses can do blood tests though, so if you get a telephone appointment with your GP, it can quite easily be arranged.
There are drugs available for RA, so if that’s what it is, you should be able to get some respite from the pain.
This is the link to the NHS page on RA: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/diagnosis/
Sue
When I was first diagnosed with MS, they ask me if any 1 in the family had RA, my anwser was yes, a sister, I think they look at mefor this, but at that time it wasn’t present, amybe they do that, try to find a link ? x x
Hi Sue
Yes, I have both MS was first yonks ago and then some 4 years ago my GP noticed y hands were swollen andndone a blood test then sent me to a Rheumatologist, and the rest is history.
Best to get it checked by a blood test with the GP as soon as you can.
Pam x
Hiya - thanks so much for your responses!
Guess I’ll have to wait awhile before I contact my GP as there’s so much going on at the moment??
xx