Hi- Another Confused Newbie! :)

January 16, 2004

Hello all- Been lurking, enjoying the chats, information, jokes,

cheering good news and crying for the bad news. Time to introduce

myself! I am D., 39 years old, live in south Louisiana,

SAHM, 2 boys (ages 4 and 2), married to Shaun. I am really

confused/overwhelmed with all the information on treatments. I

understand the RA disease (diagnosed 5 months ago), but other than

that, have no clue.

Crummy RA Dr.! Only game in town right now. My Internist refered me

on to her. Boo! I go to see another Internist next week. The Ra

Dr.- very negative (I feel like I should just roll on over dead

according to her- no cure, no hope, she does not believe in pain

meds., etc); she is very cold and impersonnal (I don't think that I

have to be best buddies, but think that I should have some sort of

rapport)- appointments consist of 15 minutes of her yanking me around

and then tossing RX's at me. She actually rolls her eyes when I ask

a question- I do not think that asking medication side effects is

over then line. Anyway, I do not think that I will be seeing her

agian. I am currently on Relafen and Plaquenil.

Have to wonder about other treatments- according to RA Dr. " None of

that other stuff (aupuncture, supplaments, herbs, etc) works at all " .

I have IBS and take meds for it. (Anyone know of a coilation here?).

The RA meds are really messing that up! How do I know that RA Dr.

has even got the right diagnosis? She did offhand mention when I

kept asking about some finger pain near the tips, that I also had

Osteoarthritis. Asked about horrible hip pain I have been having

(like barely walking pain) and she blew it off.

All seems so surreal to me. How did you all get to the bottom of

this? Do you all like your Dr.'s and feel comfortable with them?

Oh, how I go on! Anyway, glad to 'meet' all of you. Look forward to

learning and sharing. Here's to good Health! ELizabeth

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