RE: [SPAM] New here

August 17, 2007

Welcome to the group. What you are

describing sounds like it could easily be rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but there

are over 100 kinds of inflammatory arthritis and RA is only the most common

one. Symptoms of RA vary so much from one person to another that the American College of Rheumatology has seven

criteria for diagnosing RA but having any four of the seven qualifies for a

positive diagnosis. There are also other maladies that can be confused with RA

so diagnosis is sometimes quite hard. You need to be seeing a board-certified rheumatologist

because few other doctors are really qualified to diagnose and treat RA. If

you do have RA or a closely related disease you need to start as soon as

possible on an aggressive treatment system to reduce the chances for permanent

joint damage.

Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of

arthritis but that is classed as a degenerative arthritis rather than an

inflammatory arthritis. That is the one that is the old folks disease whereas

RA can hit anyone, even infants. Please feel free to ask any questions or make

any comments you wish to. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of kidsdogsandchaos

Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007

7:47 PM

Subject:

[sPAM] New here

Hi,

I kinda feel in the corner right now because I dont have a clue what

Im doing here. I guess I will start by introducing myself. Im a 36 yr

Mom to 5 kids I live in So Cal. My mom and grandma and great grandma

have RA and now its my turn I guess. Im also being tested for Lupis. I

have had pain in my knees and hips for many many yrs. I chalked it up

to childbirth and running after kids and lifting them. The last

several yrs it started in my ankles and now my wrists and fingers. My

joints in my hands are swollen,my sis said if I had hair on them I

would have man hands...humm didnt quite know how to respond to that

one. Somedays it hurts so darn bad and others Im ok....is that the

norm?? I guess I need reasurrance Im not crazy, growing up we always

thought arthritis was an old lady problem.My family and friends give

me that " look " when I try to tell them what Im feeling. That makes me

feel more insaine. Geez I hope Im making sence. Maybe Im feeling sorry

for myself. I hope to be able to talk to some of you soon if I havent

scared anyone hahhha

Recommended Posts