Re: I would sure appreciate your input, I just signed on today

[Guest guest]

One thing you said in particular got my attention: "I have the type doctor that may blow me off." Also I don't see your symptoms fitting into any pattern that I recognize (but I'm not medically trained). I think you would benefit from going to the Mayo Clinic, s Hopkins, or a teaching hospital where people with multiple specialties could examine you and consult about your treatment. That may be especially desireable because of the intermittent nature of your problems.

A Rheumatoid Factor of 174 would indicate but not prove Rheumatoid Arthritis or a closely related form of arthritis. Along with this the Sed rate (ESR) is usually elevated above 20. No amount of blood work will either confirm Rheumatoid Arthritis or completely rule it out.

Good luck and God bless. Harold Van Tuyl (Grandpavan1927)

----- Original Message -----

From: dorrim

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 4:05 PM

Subject: I would sure appreciate your input, I just signed on today

Let me start by saying that I am not sure I have RA. I saw something in my chart today at the dr's office (he was gone) that said I needed more lab work, and the number I saw was 174. I think it said Rheumatoid Factor. So, first question is, "what does 174 mean?"More importantly, I would like to share my symptoms with you, and see if anyone recognizes what I am talking about. It is something I have had a hard time explaining to my dr, it has been happening for years, but now is getting worse. My "gut" thinks it is related to my blood somehow, because when it hits, it seems to hit every nerve, my skin even hurts.If you are still with me, here it is:The first thing I start to feel is my hands and breathing. In my hands, it feels like it is in my bones, the palm gets it the worse. My lungs just feel funny. This "sickness" as I call it then travels up my arms to shoulders, and evidentually, my WHOLE body is aching SO BAD! At this point, I feel like I have very strong flu symptoms. At the same time as all this is progressing, I start freezing, and huddle up in a ball, which hurts too. At this point, I am just moaning, and rocking back in forth (this usually happens at night). My sensation is that I CANNOT get out of bed, I truly feel like my legs will not hold me.Whenever I have a flu type thing, I always strongly crave a hot bath (I take hot showers too). Well, we are getting to the point that finally made me call my doctor. During this one episode, I was in the shower letting very hot water just run on my back. I went to open a bottle of soap - and that is what scared me! The movement of twisting the soap lid was almost too much to do. It hurt my fingers so much! Finally, another odd thing (which made me start thinking blood or nerves vs bones) is while in the shower, when I would rub a regular wash cloth over my arms, the little loops hurt my skin.I haven't had this last more than one whole night at a time, but another funny thing (which I am feeling now as I write, late afternoon), is I get these incredible urges to stretch all over - like when you wake up in the morning. But I do it more, it's like my body craves it or something.Boy, I hope some of you are still with me, I know this is long. This appears to be my best resource for input. I have the type doctor that may blow me off. Like I said this started many years ago (10 or so). Then, they were short episodes, always started with freezing, chattering teeth, then the acky flu feeling. By the way, I am a 42 year old female, am also sedentary (shame on me). I get winded disgustingly easy.I must say, it feels great to explain this to someone. I guess I will end with this final "long shot."19 years ago, I had Adult Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a blood disease that shut down my kidneys 100%. I was on Plasma F treatments, infusions, and dialysis for a month. Miraculously, I had 100% recovery (apparently pretty rare with my disease). All my blood tests throughout the years have been perfect except anemia a little bit, and now my colestorol (sp?) is borderline.Well, thank you, thank you, thank you for reading this. Naturally, once I send it, I will think of new things But I won't throw in each new rememberance.Thanks again,Dorri

[Guest guest]

<<When I asked if I should start journaling these symptoms, etc., he kind of got

mad and said no. He said that my life would turn into a constant worry and

occupation (w/something 'I think' he thinks is no big deal).>>

While I do agree that your thoughts should not be constantly be occupied with

thoughts of pain, a month or two journaling could provide your doctor with great

source of information to help diagnose and treat your pain. You could be having

pain related to hormone imbalance, but because he isn't willing to look deeper,

you will never know.

--

Kara Hoover

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