Re: Hi, I'm new-Mindy

[Guest guest]

Mindy,

> I too have been afraid to say anything and it is so hard, and I have heard

> how hard it has been from other people to get the Dr's to listen, I guess

I

> am a little scared.

I don't know why it is so hard for doctors to listen. I complained of pain

for 2 years. Maybe I just wasn't forceful or insistant enough. Each time I

complained she would run a test or two, nothing ever caught her attention. I

kept showing her my deformed fingers and the swelling on my left hand. She'd

run more tests and the tests never came back conclusive of any particular

problem.

RA can be a subtle and tricky devil, it seems.

> I'm sorry you are in such pain, but I am so glad you are here.

> I just can't get over this...wild

> How long did it take them to diagnose you? And you are having more good

> days than before?I have never had a physical, I suppose I always just

went

> when I was ill, which I still try not to do..haha..I can't get out of

this one

> though, it is affecting more people than just myself.

As I said, a total of 2 years passed before I saw a rheumatologist and had a

working diagnosis. It appears that this is not an exact science, and

diagnoses are arrived at by process of elimination!

I'm having lots of good days now. All my days are better than before I

started treatment for RA. Some of my days are really really good, some of

my days I have sporadic pain, nothing to complain about if I compare it to

how I felt before I was diagnosed and treated. My hands tend to hurt a good

portion of the time, but it's only at a level of mild annoyance. Sometimes

my legs/hips will ache. And I'm always tired at the end of the day and I get

a little achy and stiff at that point.

I was never one to see a doctor on a regular basis until all this started.

I thought I was suffering from the beginnings of carpal tunnel 2 years ago.

I went to an orthopedist who treated me conservatively for carpal tunnel and

tendonitis and put me on Vioxx because some of my fingers started swelling

and deforming and he thought I probably had arthritis. He referred me to an

internist for a physical and general care. It was my first complete

physical in whenever. Within 4 months of my first physical, I was in the

hospital having thyroid surgery for a goiter! Never having had children,

this was my first experience having surgery and was I ever scared! I've had

a gazillion tests since that time, some of my labs would come back slightly

out of whack and she would run every test she could think of. I certainly

have a much better understanding of my current state of health than most!

It's unfortunate (to me anyway) that the RA spread to so many places before

she agreed to refer me to a rheumatology specialist. Everything fell into

place so easily after that. Symptoms that seem so unique and odd to each of

us are really nothing new to a well trained specialist who has heard it all

before. The relief is so overwhelming to find someone who understands what

you are talking about and doesn't think you are nuts! Or worse, a chronic

complainer.

> Ok..another question, do you hurt worse when you have to walk more,like

> grocery shopping and errands? I had to today...another new symptom, the

> arches of my feet even started to hurt and I was even wearing my tennis

> shoes!

Yes, before treatment, it always hurt to walk. I lumbered along like

enstein. I had been doing it so long, I wasn't even aware I was doing

it, until someone would stop and ask me why I was limping. It hurt getting

in and out of the car, walking to and from places, getting up from a chair,

sitting too long in a chair or the car, I could go on and on.

> Ok...enough complaining out of me for now

> Thank you!!!!! : )

> Mindy

I know I'm a little late replying, and that you have already had your first

appointment. My computer time is restricted to early am during the week and

free time on the weekends, due to the fatigue I have to deal with at the end

of my work days

Try not to worry too much, it doesn't help :-( and stay as positive as you

can.

Suzanne