Guest guest Posted September 27, 2000 Report Share Posted September 27, 2000 Hi Doe: I am happy you got a diagnosis. You should be seeing a rheumatologist though because they are better at treating RA, Fibro etc. You are at the beginning stages of RA so you should get immediate meds to treat your RA so it does not progress. The sooner the better. Glad you are in our group so we can help you along. I hope you have insurance now. Do not despair though.....there is good treatment out there and some day they will have a cure. Also, do not be afraid to take pain meds. When you are truly in pain and take them, you will not become addicted. It is when you are feeling fine and looking for a high is when you are in trouble. Welcome to the non-lurkers and keep us informed. Take care. Jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2000 Report Share Posted September 27, 2000 Welcome Doe, Glad you decided to delurk. Jeannette is right if your not seeing an RD you need to. The sooner you get on DMARDS the better off you will be. There are some great new ones out there. In reference to your back, RA most of the time only goes into the spine (someone correct me if I'm wrong here). However you could have secondary OA (which I do have and have lots of back pain) also there is Degenerative Disk Disease (I also have this) that could be causing you back pain. I also agree with Jeannette on the pain pill issue, I know it is a very hot issue and alot of people have very strong opinions against them, I however am for them 100%. I take them on a daily basis. I work full time and have a almost 6 yr old son, without them I would be bed ridden. To me it's a choice of quality of life. Ok off my soap box. Hope you finally got to sleep. Tery - FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2000 Report Share Posted September 27, 2000 Welcome Doe, We all feel a little loopy around here too. You're not alone. The group is here for you. With information, suggestions, advice and some laughter at times to help distract. When we can't offer any of the above, we do listening real good. Red and swollen hands doesn't necessarily mean that it's not just as painful. We (group) went over this topic a while back. The visual thing. You write he looks at my hands but not what tests he has had done. Does he look just with his eyes or at x-rays or MRI's? Perhaps you can ask him to send you for these tests to determine what's causing the pain. Regards, Sylvia > Hi everyone, I'm Doe and I've been lurking for a couple of months while I started down this road with you all. > Thanks for listening. I'm not sure where to go with all of this. > > Doe, in the desert of Arizona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 Greetings to you all. Over the past 6 months I have been bounced from one doctor to another and still have not received a diagnosis. I've been to a GP who sent me to orthopedics, who then referred me to rheumatology. Both the GP and the orthopedic dr. ordered bloodwork, and results were normal. The rheumatologist that I saw back in May had an explanation for all of my symptoms, none of which were related to RA. She then told me if the swelling got worse to come back. I knew I was not going back to her unless I absolutely had to. I have been experiencing the following symptoms: swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in joints (fingers, toes, now wrists and knees are involved). Mornings are the worst, however swelling can occur at anytime. My shoe size has gone up (from 6 1/2 to 7) and I had to get my wedding ring enlarged because it just would not fit anymore. I am a 49 year old wife, mom, and grandmother. My grandmother was diagnosed with RA at age 27. Her RA first presented as one swollen finger; symptoms were not symptomatic. Onset of my symptoms has also seemed to be more gradual than " normal " . Though my last blood tests were within normal results, back in 1987 I had a positive test result for the RA titer and was told at that time, that I would probably develop RA when I was older as there was no such thing as a " false " positive with regard to RA. Has anyone here on this list also had a gradual worsening of symptoms? What is considered to be " normal " with regard to RA? Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated. Regards, No. Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 I don't think there is any "normal" for RA because there is so much difference in symptoms, rate of development, and response to medications. The American College of Rheumatology lists seven symptoms of RA and having any four of them permits a positive diagnosis of RA. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/ra/ra.html Many people go a year or more to get a "firm" diagnosis and sometimes even then the diagnosis changes at a later date. Your rheumatologist may not have been that far off base with her diagnosis but I think she should have done something for the pain. Often Prednisone is prescribed because it is a potent anti-inflammatory and if you respond well to it that strongly indicates some type of inflammatory disease such as RA. The Prednisone helps the symptoms but does nothing to stop the permanent joint damage that results from untreated RA. It also has some bad side effects when used at high levels for a long time. I have heard that about one fourth of people diagnosed with RA do not have a positive RA titer and about one-fourth of the people with a positive RA titer do not have RA. That's only one of the potential symptoms of RA and is never a firm basis for either a positive or negative diagnosis. I suggest you ask some doctor for a prescription for Prednisone and if it helps, then go to a rheumatologist (maybe the same one you went to before) to see if they will give some medications. If you have RA or some related condition you should be on a medication for it. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/ Good luck and God bless. Harold Van Tuyl (Grandpavan1927) ----- Original Message ----- From: las61054 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 11:43 AM Subject: Another Newbie Greetings to you all. Over the past 6 months I have been bounced from one doctor to another and still have not received a diagnosis. I've been to a GP who sent me to orthopedics, who then referred me to rheumatology. Both the GP and the orthopedic dr. ordered bloodwork, and results were normal. The rheumatologist that I saw back in May had an explanation for all of my symptoms, none of which were related to RA. She then told me if the swelling got worse to come back. I knew I was not going back to her unless I absolutely had to.I have been experiencing the following symptoms: swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in joints (fingers, toes, now wrists and knees are involved). Mornings are the worst, however swelling can occur at anytime. My shoe size has gone up (from 6 1/2 to 7) and I had to get my wedding ring enlarged because it just would not fit anymore. I am a 49 year old wife, mom, and grandmother.My grandmother was diagnosed with RA at age 27. Her RA first presented as one swollen finger; symptoms were not symptomatic. Onset of my symptoms has also seemed to be more gradual than "normal". Though my last blood tests were within normal results, back in 1987 I had a positive test result for the RA titer and was told at that time, that I would probably develop RA when I was older as there was no such thing as a "false" positive with regard to RA.Has anyone here on this list also had a gradual worsening of symptoms? What is considered to be "normal" with regard to RA?Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.Regards,No. Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Thank you so much for this site, I went in the chat and made some really nice friends tehre who helped me thru some things. I am going to make some rice socks tomorrow too. Berta in AL -------Original Message------- From: Rheumatoid Arthritis Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 20:14:26 Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Re: Another Newbie I don't think there is any "normal" for RA because there is so much difference in symptoms, rate of development, and response to medications. The American College of Rheumatology lists seven symptoms of RA and having any four of them permits a positive diagnosis of RA. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/ra/ra.html Many people go a year or more to get a "firm" diagnosis and sometimes even then the diagnosis changes at a later date. Your rheumatologist may not have been that far off base with her diagnosis but I think she should have done something for the pain. Often Prednisone is prescribed because it is a potent anti-inflammatory and if you respond well to it that strongly indicates some type of inflammatory disease such as RA. The Prednisone helps the symptoms but does nothing to stop the permanent joint damage that results from untreated RA. It also has some bad side effects when used at high levels for a long time. I have heard that about one fourth of people diagnosed with RA do not have a positive RA titer and about one-fourth of the people with a positive RA titer do not have RA. That's only one of the potential symptoms of RA and is never a firm basis for either a positive or negative diagnosis. I suggest you ask some doctor for a prescription for Prednisone and if it helps, then go to a rheumatologist (maybe the same one you went to before) to see if they will give some medications. If you have RA or some related condition you should be on a medication for it. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/ Good luck and God bless. Harold Van Tuyl (Grandpavan1927) ----- Original Message ----- From: las61054 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 11:43 AM Subject: Another Newbie Greetings to you all. Over the past 6 months I have been bounced from one doctor to another and still have not received a diagnosis. I've been to a GP who sent me to orthopedics, who then referred me to rheumatology. Both the GP and the orthopedic dr. ordered bloodwork, and results were normal. The rheumatologist that I saw back in May had an explanation for all of my symptoms, none of which were related to RA. She then told me if the swelling got worse to come back. I knew I was not going back to her unless I absolutely had to.I have been experiencing the following symptoms: swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in joints (fingers, toes, now wrists and knees are involved). Mornings are the worst, however swelling can occur at anytime. My shoe size has gone up (from 6 1/2 to 7) and I had to get my wedding ring enlarged because it just would not fit anymore. I am a 49 year old wife, mom, and grandmother.My grandmother was diagnosed with RA at age 27. Her RA first presented as one swollen finger; symptoms were not symptomatic. Onset of my symptoms has also seemed to be more gradual than "normal". Though my last blood tests were within normal results, back in 1987 I had a positive test result for the RA titer and was told at that time, that I would probably develop RA when I was older as there was no such thing as a "false" positive with regard to RA.Has anyone here on this list also had a gradual worsening of symptoms? What is considered to be "normal" with regard to RA?Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.Regards,No. Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Thanks to those of you who responded to my initial posting. I am seeing another rheumatologist tomorrow (Sept. 18th) and hopefully she will be more inclined to listen to me. I'll post the end result on this list (hopefully) on Friday. Thanks again, No. VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2003 Report Share Posted September 17, 2003 Hi , This is in Culpeper/Fauquier area of Virginia (not far from N. VA). Who was the rheumy you saw in May. I have a GREAT rheumy in DC (forgive me if I gave this to you already). His name is Dr. Lawson. His phone number is (202) 293-1470. He is very receptive & listens to patients (as well as asks questions about what else is going on in your life). I wholeheartedly recommend you trying him, if possible.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Regards, > >No. Virginia Express yourself with MSN Messenger 6.0 -- download now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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