Questions for RA

[Guest guest]

I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do not remember who

you are. I have been struggling for quite some time and tried to ignore my

problems. I now have scheduled myself with a Rheumatologist and am going to

address some of my issues. I have no idea whether or not I have RA or just

regular arthritis or what. Who can give me some insight? Since I know that JRA

and RA are different, I am wondering will the approach to diagnosis be similar

or very different.

Veri

[Guest guest]

Veri

I am so glad that you are consulting a rheumatologist.

I'm 'one of those moms' with RA.

I found my diagnostic process to be much quicker.I had already been on NSAIDS

for months prior to going to the rheumy, so the first thing they added was

Plaquenil. I didn't tolerate it well and then had a painful attack of scleritis,

so we went to methotrexate fairly quickly.

Let me know of more specific questions, feel free to email me privately.

, adult onset RA, mom to Rob, 19, JAS

Questions for RA

> I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do

> not remember who you are. I have been struggling for quite some

> time and tried to ignore my problems. I now have scheduled

> myself with a Rheumatologist and am going to address some of my

> issues. I have no idea whether or not I have RA or just regular

> arthritis or what. Who can give me some insight? Since I know

> that JRA and RA are different, I am wondering will the approach

> to diagnosis be similar or very different.

>

> Veri

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,Veri. My dh has recently been diagnosed with RA. The dr did approach

things similarly to how Chris' rheumy approached things. He did discuss

with us (I do go to some appts) and his diagnosis. For the first

visit we went in with a list of how things were going for my dh. Since

we had been through it with we had an idea of what info he would

need. For example, what joints have the most morning stiffness and how

long does it last, pain levels, where we notice inflammation, things

like that.

Good luck with the dr visit. It is a very good thing you are getting it

checked out. There are many things out there, as you know, that may help

to increase your quality of life. Plus if you get aggressive with it

soon enough, perhaps you can minimize joint damage. Please let us know

how it goes, Michele ( 21, spondy)

________________________________

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of veristroud@...

Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 3:17 PM

Subject: Questions for RA

I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do not

remember who you are. I have been struggling for quite some time and

tried to ignore my problems. I now have scheduled myself with a

Rheumatologist and am going to address some of my issues. I have no idea

whether or not I have RA or just regular arthritis or what. Who can give

me some insight? Since I know that JRA and RA are different, I am

wondering will the approach to diagnosis be similar or very different.

Veri

[Guest guest]

Thanks Michele, I just do not want to go down that road for myself?but know that

I have to do something before this gets much worse. I have so much stiffness in

my right hand that it basically never goes away.

Veri

Questions for RA

I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do not

remember who you are. I have been struggling for quite some time and

tried to ignore my problems. I now have scheduled myself with a

Rheumatologist and am going to address some of my issues. I have no idea

whether or not I have RA or just regular arthritis or what. Who can give

me some insight? Since I know that JRA and RA are different, I am

wondering will the approach to diagnosis be similar or very different.

Veri

[Guest guest]

Hi Veri:

I am one of those moms with arthritis too.  However, mine is OA, not RA.  I too

have lots of morning stiffness in my neck, back and hands.  However, I

usually do not have visually swelling, mine shows up when they check sed rates. 

Please let us know what you find out.  Whatever you have, I hope they can find

some relief for you.  Celebrex has been great for me.

 

Sending prayers & happy thoughts,

Beth

Questions for RA

I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do not

remember who you are. I have been struggling for quite some time and

tried to ignore my problems. I now have scheduled myself with a

Rheumatologist and am going to address some of my issues. I have no idea

whether or not I have RA or just regular arthritis or what. Who can give

me some insight? Since I know that JRA and RA are different, I am

wondering will the approach to diagnosis be similar or very different.

Veri

[Guest guest]

Hi Veri,

I have osteo and inflammatory arthritis; inflammatory means I have all the

physical signs and symptoms of RA but my labs don't really support the

diagnosis.  After trying several other DMARDs, the rheumy has me on one that is

giving me improvement.  Initially, when it was just in my hands, the orthopedist

thought it was just osteo but as it spread, he referred me to a rheumy.  She did

thq1

From: veristroud@... <veristroud@...>

Subject: Questions for RA

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008, 1:16 PM

I know in the past I have read posts from moms with RA but I do not

remember who you are. I have been struggling for quite some time and tried to

ignore my problems. I now have scheduled myself with a Rheumatologist and am

going to address some of my issues. I have no idea whether or not I have RA or

just regular arthritis or what. Who can give me some insight? Since I know that

JRA and RA are different, I am wondering will the approach to diagnosis be

similar or very different.

Veri