I have been away for a while......a bit of an update

[Guest guest]

Just getting back to checking this board. Lot's of responses to my

last post and I thank you for the encouraging words.

Had blood work done for the Rheum Dr and those have been faxed to

her. I meet with her on Monday, May 3. They found inflamation (oh

joy) and told me that the dr would prolly do more tests. What kind of

tests are they talking about?? I asked but the nurse was a bit

evasive about them.

I am out of Vioxx and don't want to refill until I see the dr. My

copays are terrible and can't afford to get meds just to have them

changed. The pain is mind numbing and it is all I can do to go to

work every day. It even hurts to be touched. I am scared and don't

know what to expect. I don't understand what is happening to me. I

used to be so healthy and now I don't feel like I am worth a thing to

anyone. I still try to do things but the pain is terrific. There are

days I just want to wrap up in a blanket and sleep the whole day. I

feel like a 90 year old woman n a 40 year old body.

I did talk to my manager about my pain (she was very understanding)

and she must have said something to my co-workers as they have been

better about it. Why do people think that a person in pain is faking

it? What is to be gained by doing that? I would gladly trade bodies

with my co-workers so they can live this for a day. They would

crumble.

Can someone tell me what other tests the dr. will run on Monday??

What are they and what is the process of the testing. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

hi!

my rheumy did a contrast MRI on me-that is what showed inflammation.

And blood work-blood work everytime i go! He also did regular xrays.

My rheumy also runs a research clinic, people go and participate in

studies, all meds and tests included and some even pay.

I understand your pain. I was just diagnosed in March 04, but have

been in pain for almost 2 years. I have a typing job-it just

aggravates it beyond belief. There are days where i also feel like

staying in bed-and have said so many times, Im actually 26 but feel

like im at least 50.

There are so many things i cant do anymore, or at best have to watch i

dont overdo it. I get so sick of it. Housework is a struggle. There

are days I just let the dishes pile up-Ive learned not to care anymore.

I hate this-Ive been on methotrexate since march and have seen no

results. My dose was 4/week, now its 6/week. I still have pain,

stiffness, swelling, and no strength at all.

My work has been AWFUl with me. We were working 50+ hours every week

and my rheumy had to limit me to 40 hours. That is great that you can

talk to your boss about it, mine could care less.

I hope i have made you feel a little bit better.

stacey

[Guest guest]

I will keep you in my prayers, try not to worry to much. I am not

sure what kind of tests they are talking about, I'm sure someone can

let you know, so don't worry.

If your in a lot of pain, you might ask for some pain meds, it

wouldn't hurt. Just try to pamper yourself a little.

I know how you feel, RA is a change of life that is for sure. I feel

like a totally different person, and it's so depressing sometimes.

Just remember were here for you, take care Tawny

> Just getting back to checking this board. Lot's of responses to my

> last post and I thank you for the encouraging words.

>

> Had blood work done for the Rheum Dr and those have been faxed to

> her. I meet with her on Monday, May 3. They found inflamation (oh

> joy) and told me that the dr would prolly do more tests. What kind

of

> tests are they talking about?? I asked but the nurse was a bit

> evasive about them.

>

> I am out of Vioxx and don't want to refill until I see the dr. My

> copays are terrible and can't afford to get meds just to have them

> changed. The pain is mind numbing and it is all I can do to go to

> work every day. It even hurts to be touched. I am scared and don't

> know what to expect. I don't understand what is happening to me. I

> used to be so healthy and now I don't feel like I am worth a thing

to

> anyone. I still try to do things but the pain is terrific. There

are

> days I just want to wrap up in a blanket and sleep the whole day. I

> feel like a 90 year old woman n a 40 year old body.

>

> I did talk to my manager about my pain (she was very understanding)

> and she must have said something to my co-workers as they have been

> better about it. Why do people think that a person in pain is

faking

> it? What is to be gained by doing that? I would gladly trade bodies

> with my co-workers so they can live this for a day. They would

> crumble.

>

> Can someone tell me what other tests the dr. will run on Monday??

> What are they and what is the process of the testing. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hey Cj,

Can relate to the insurance copays. They have me on celebrex which is a $60

copay. I am single and live in the city and it is hard to make ends meet when

you have to spend so much on meds. I have 6 other meds that I have to fill.

Some months I do what I can. It is so frustrating. Some days it helps and

others it is like taking a sugar pill. So we go on. Good luck .

Judith Ann

cjkelley112163 <cjkelley112163@...> wrote:

Just getting back to checking this board. Lot's of responses to my

last post and I thank you for the encouraging words.

Had blood work done for the Rheum Dr and those have been faxed to

her. I meet with her on Monday, May 3. They found inflamation (oh

joy) and told me that the dr would prolly do more tests. What kind of

tests are they talking about?? I asked but the nurse was a bit

evasive about them.

I am out of Vioxx and don't want to refill until I see the dr. My

copays are terrible and can't afford to get meds just to have them

changed. The pain is mind numbing and it is all I can do to go to

work every day. It even hurts to be touched. I am scared and don't

know what to expect. I don't understand what is happening to me. I

used to be so healthy and now I don't feel like I am worth a thing to

anyone. I still try to do things but the pain is terrific. There are

days I just want to wrap up in a blanket and sleep the whole day. I

feel like a 90 year old woman n a 40 year old body.

I did talk to my manager about my pain (she was very understanding)

and she must have said something to my co-workers as they have been

better about it. Why do people think that a person in pain is faking

it? What is to be gained by doing that? I would gladly trade bodies

with my co-workers so they can live this for a day. They would

crumble.

Can someone tell me what other tests the dr. will run on Monday??

What are they and what is the process of the testing. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Have you checked with the drug manufacturers for the patient assistance

programs? Often, you can get free meds from them if you meet the income

guidelines. Sometimes the income guidelines are very liberal.

Becky

Re: [ ] I have been away for a while......a bit of an update

Hey Cj,

Can relate to the insurance copays. They have me on celebrex which is a $60

copay. I am single and live in the city and it is hard to make ends meet when

you have to spend so much on meds. I have 6 other meds that I have to fill.

Some months I do what I can. It is so frustrating. Some days it helps and

others it is like taking a sugar pill. So we go on. Good luck .

Judith Ann

cjkelley112163 <cjkelley112163@...> wrote:

Just getting back to checking this board. Lot's of responses to my

last post and I thank you for the encouraging words.

Had blood work done for the Rheum Dr and those have been faxed to

her. I meet with her on Monday, May 3. They found inflamation (oh

joy) and told me that the dr would prolly do more tests. What kind of

tests are they talking about?? I asked but the nurse was a bit

evasive about them.

I am out of Vioxx and don't want to refill until I see the dr. My

copays are terrible and can't afford to get meds just to have them

changed. The pain is mind numbing and it is all I can do to go to

work every day. It even hurts to be touched. I am scared and don't

know what to expect. I don't understand what is happening to me. I

used to be so healthy and now I don't feel like I am worth a thing to

anyone. I still try to do things but the pain is terrific. There are

days I just want to wrap up in a blanket and sleep the whole day. I

feel like a 90 year old woman n a 40 year old body.

I did talk to my manager about my pain (she was very understanding)

and she must have said something to my co-workers as they have been

better about it. Why do people think that a person in pain is faking

it? What is to be gained by doing that? I would gladly trade bodies

with my co-workers so they can live this for a day. They would

crumble.

Can someone tell me what other tests the dr. will run on Monday??

What are they and what is the process of the testing. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

CJ, it's hard for me to say what further tests will be done by the

rheumatologist since you didn't say which ones your primary already did,

but, generally speaking, a rheumatologist wants to see the results of at

least the following tests to help make or confirm a diagnosis: complete

blood count (CBC), sedimentation rate (sed rate) and/or C-reactive

protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA),

maybe thyroid function tests, and x-rays of your hands and/or feet (or

other types of imaging studies).

Your explanation of what's going on now and your history along with

the doctor's examination and observations of you are often more

important than the lab results.

I can understand your worry about being blown off regarding your pain.

Please tell the rheumatologist exactly what you have told us here.

Describe your job and give examples of how difficult it has been to do

it. Be very explicit since the doctor cannot read your mind. Tell her

what your limitations are; the things you could do before but cannot do

now. Also, there are much cheaper alternatives to Vioxx available.

Please ask about that.

Sorry that some of your co-workers are so nasty. I hope your work

situation improves soon.

a, our group owner and lead moderator, has created a Web site full

of useful information. Here's the section that includes a link to tips

about your first visit to the rheumatologist:

http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/help.html#md

There you can also find the answers to many of the questions you

probably have.

Welcome to the group and good luck tomorrow!

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] I have been away for a while......a bit of an

update

> Just getting back to checking this board. Lot's of responses to my

> last post and I thank you for the encouraging words.

>

> Had blood work done for the Rheum Dr and those have been faxed to

> her. I meet with her on Monday, May 3. They found inflamation (oh

> joy) and told me that the dr would prolly do more tests. What kind of

> tests are they talking about?? I asked but the nurse was a bit

> evasive about them.

>

> I am out of Vioxx and don't want to refill until I see the dr. My

> copays are terrible and can't afford to get meds just to have them

> changed. The pain is mind numbing and it is all I can do to go to

> work every day. It even hurts to be touched. I am scared and don't

> know what to expect. I don't understand what is happening to me. I

> used to be so healthy and now I don't feel like I am worth a thing to

> anyone. I still try to do things but the pain is terrific. There are

> days I just want to wrap up in a blanket and sleep the whole day. I

> feel like a 90 year old woman n a 40 year old body.

>

> I did talk to my manager about my pain (she was very understanding)

> and she must have said something to my co-workers as they have been

> better about it. Why do people think that a person in pain is faking

> it? What is to be gained by doing that? I would gladly trade bodies

> with my co-workers so they can live this for a day. They would

> crumble.

>

> Can someone tell me what other tests the dr. will run on Monday??

> What are they and what is the process of the testing. Thanks!