Re: New here with a question

[Guest guest]

RA is sometimes hard to diagnose even by a rheumatologist. Here's a link that gives more information. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/disease/ra/ The disease description link includes a general description of the disease and about halfway down it lists the seven criteria from the American College of Rheumatology for diagnosing RA. Even though there are seven criteria, positive answers to any four support a diagnosis of RA. I think you ought to see a rheumatologist because if it is RA or a related problem it is necessary to get early and aggressive treatment to prevent permanent, irreversible joint damage. Delaying could cause real future problems. Blood work may be indicative of RA but it can never rule it out or prove conclusively that you have RA. Please see a rheumatologist soon and let us know how things go. Good luck and God bless.

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

From: kivrinsmum

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 11:25 AM

Subject: New here with a question

I'm 34 and have a history of joint problems due to injury and hypermobility. I was told years ago to expect early problems with osteo-arthritis, so I didn't pay much attention to the problems I've had with ankles, knees, and hips in the last couple of years. However in the last few months (last 2 especially) I've been having growing problems with my hands, wrists, and elbows. When I mentioned this to my doc at my annual he told me that he wanted to do screening tests for RA. My major problem at the moment is the largest 2 sets of knuckles on my hands and my wrists. I would stay that they are more stiff than painful, and somewhat numb, especially in the morning and when I'm trying to go to sleep (I have to make sure my hands aren't curled into fists when I fall asleep or I wake up in real pain). At this point its more of an annoyance than painful. I sometimes have a little trouble getting my 16 month old daughter dressed, but that's not every day (more like stretches of 3 or 4 days once or twice a month).So, what I want to ask is...Does this sound familiar? Do you think I should be concerned about RA or do you think my doc is just being cautious?Thank you in advance for any information that you can share.

[Guest guest]

My knuckles and wrists bothered me a lot. It was one of my first

symptoms. I started using ace bandages to wrap my wrists at night

and immobilizing them helped me then. Now I have plastic splints.

When you wake up are your feet also sore?

Pain that is worst in the morning is sometimes an indicator of RA

Annette

> I'm 34 and have a history of joint problems due to injury and

> hypermobility. I was told years ago to expect early problems with

> osteo-arthritis, so I didn't pay much attention to the problems

I've

> had with ankles, knees, and hips in the last couple of years.

> However in the last few months (last 2 especially) I've been having

> growing problems with my hands, wrists, and elbows. When I

> mentioned this to my doc at my annual he told me that he wanted to

> do screening tests for RA.

>

> My major problem at the moment is the largest 2 sets of knuckles on

> my hands and my wrists. I would stay that they are more stiff than

> painful, and somewhat numb, especially in the morning and when I'm

> trying to go to sleep (I have to make sure my hands aren't curled

> into fists when I fall asleep or I wake up in real pain). At this

> point its more of an annoyance than painful. I sometimes have a

> little trouble getting my 16 month old daughter dressed, but that's

> not every day (more like stretches of 3 or 4 days once or twice a

> month).

>

> So, what I want to ask is...Does this sound familiar? Do you think

> I should be concerned about RA or do you think my doc is just being

> cautious?

>

> Thank you in advance for any information that you can share.

>

>

[Guest guest]

When my RA is acting up, it feels like I am walking on 2 broken feet!

Carla

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

From: " annette2ca " <a.mckinnon@...>

<Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 5:36 PM

Subject: Re: New here with a question

> My knuckles and wrists bothered me a lot. It was one of my first

> symptoms. I started using ace bandages to wrap my wrists at night

> and immobilizing them helped me then. Now I have plastic splints.

>

> When you wake up are your feet also sore?

> Pain that is worst in the morning is sometimes an indicator of RA

> Annette

>

> > I'm 34 and have a history of joint problems due to injury and

> > hypermobility. I was told years ago to expect early problems with

> > osteo-arthritis, so I didn't pay much attention to the problems

> I've

> > had with ankles, knees, and hips in the last couple of years.

> > However in the last few months (last 2 especially) I've been having

> > growing problems with my hands, wrists, and elbows. When I

> > mentioned this to my doc at my annual he told me that he wanted to

> > do screening tests for RA.

> >

> > My major problem at the moment is the largest 2 sets of knuckles on

> > my hands and my wrists. I would stay that they are more stiff than

> > painful, and somewhat numb, especially in the morning and when I'm

> > trying to go to sleep (I have to make sure my hands aren't curled

> > into fists when I fall asleep or I wake up in real pain). At this

> > point its more of an annoyance than painful. I sometimes have a

> > little trouble getting my 16 month old daughter dressed, but that's

> > not every day (more like stretches of 3 or 4 days once or twice a

> > month).

> >

> > So, what I want to ask is...Does this sound familiar? Do you think

> > I should be concerned about RA or do you think my doc is just being

> > cautious?

> >

> > Thank you in advance for any information that you can share.

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Remember the story of The Little Mermaid. To leave the sea and take

human form was difficult. She felt like she was walking on knives.

Such a potent image. I have often thought of it as some days it

seems close.

I think the most important thing is to get a diagnosis. There

are now so many more good treatment options. When I started on gold

treatments, which was a pretty agressive therapy at the time they

actually admitted me to hospital for about 5 days to observe the

effects of the medication.

Annette

> When my RA is acting up, it feels like I am walking on 2 broken

feet!

> Carla

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

My RA started with a sore shoulder and I thought I had just slept on it too long. In a couple of days my hands and feet were swollen and aching and I knew something was wrong. I was diagnosed pretty quickly. That was 7 years ago. Now my right hand is getting deformed and doc wants to do hand surgery and replace joints. I have not decided since I am still able to use it. I would also advise seeing a doc soon.

Good luck to you,

Kay

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

From: kivrinsmum

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 1:25 PM

Subject: New here with a question

I'm 34 and have a history of joint problems due to injury and hypermobility. I was told years ago to expect early problems with osteo-arthritis, so I didn't pay much attention to the problems I've had with ankles, knees, and hips in the last couple of years. However in the last few months (last 2 especially) I've been having growing problems with my hands, wrists, and elbows. When I mentioned this to my doc at my annual he told me that he wanted to do screening tests for RA. My major problem at the moment is the largest 2 sets of knuckles on my hands and my wrists. I would stay that they are more stiff than painful, and somewhat numb, especially in the morning and when I'm trying to go to sleep (I have to make sure my hands aren't curled into fists when I fall asleep or I wake up in real pain). At this point its more of an annoyance than painful. I sometimes have a little trouble getting my 16 month old daughter dressed, but that's not every day (more like stretches of 3 or 4 days once or twice a month).So, what I want to ask is...Does this sound familiar? Do you think I should be concerned about RA or do you think my doc is just being cautious?Thank you in advance for any information that you can share.

[Guest guest]

Dearest Lori:

I am so happy that you have lost so much weight. I really think that you

should go back to your plastic surgeon regarding your breast implants. He

might have filled them to full. The lump could be scar tissue, but it should

be checked.

Lori, we all wish that we had known about the dangers of breast implants,

but we trusted our doctors. As little girls we were taught that doctors were

like Gods. When we were sick, the first place that we were taken was to our

family doctor. I know that my faith in doctors has changed since I have had

implants. I'm not saying that all doctors are bad, but some are.

Please see your doctor because your implants should be checked.

Good luck...love...Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

New here with a question

>

>

> After losing 120 lbs I decided to have a breast lift with implants 5

> weeks ago and I am curious to know when they are going to drop. I

> find that they seem to be kinda stuck towards my arm pits and wonder

> if that is normal. I can't shave my armpits because the implant seems

> to be sitting really close and I can't get the razor in

> there.....does this sound normal. Just thought I would ask here first

> before seeing my doctor because he is 3 hours away (implant placement

> was under the muscle). I also have a rather large lump at the end of

> my incision and was thinking maybe it is scar tissue but I am not

> sure. Any thoughts??

> ( I should of found this site before I went for my implants, I didn't

> realize the risks involved)

>

> Thanks

> Lori

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