Pain.

I asked my doctor yesterday if I could be refered to a rheumatologist. He told me it would not be of any benefit, they would only give me the same anti inflammatories and pain killers I already have on repeat prescription from him,and would not be able to offer me anything else. I asked about steroid injections and he looked horrified, telling me they have lots of side effects and I have enough problems as it is, without anything else! He said steroid injections are more for rheumatoid arthritis than the osteoarthritis I have. He showed me his own hands and told me he has osteoarthritis himself for which he does not take anything as he does not want the side effects! Thats all very well if you just have the pain in the hands I thought, but when you have back pain, both lower and upper, knee pain, your shoulder hurts and your ankle is painful and clicks aswell as the joints of the knuckles and fingers you need a bit of help! I find standing in one spot for more than a few minutes agonising and my hips and back scream with pain when walking, so much so that I need a mobility scooter. I would love to avoid taking medication, and I tried for a long time to do without, but I have reached the stage where the pain is too much and I cannot function without pain relief. I am 57 now, so maybe a rheumatologist would not have a lot to offer, but I think perhaps my GP has not taken my hypermobility into account, maybe he has I don`t know. To be told there is nothing else he can do is difficult to come to terms with, and to know I have to live with this pain, as even taking the medication I still have pain, though perhaps the edge is taken off, is very hard to bear.