Re: Question about Nodules!

[Guest guest]

Beth,

Not to confuse the issue, but what sort of nodule is it? Do you have

them elsewhere? I only ask because I have a rare autoimmune disease

called Dercum's Disease, which is characterized by many lipomas (or

angiolipomas) throughout the body. They can be as small as grains of

rice and very painful, or rubbery like peas/grapes and painful or

not. they can be located anywhere, but mostly on the upper or lower

arms, hips, upper legs, abdomen, and back. This disease cannot be

diagnosed by bloodwork, only by process of elimination. If your

doctor feels it is a rheumatoid nodule, I'd believe her, and I

apologize if I have confused you...just wanted to answer your

question.

Judi

>

[Guest guest]

Beth,

Not to confuse the issue, but what sort of nodule is it? Do you have

them elsewhere? I only ask because I have a rare autoimmune disease

called Dercum's Disease, which is characterized by many lipomas (or

angiolipomas) throughout the body. They can be as small as grains of

rice and very painful, or rubbery like peas/grapes and painful or

not. they can be located anywhere, but mostly on the upper or lower

arms, hips, upper legs, abdomen, and back. This disease cannot be

diagnosed by bloodwork, only by process of elimination. If your

doctor feels it is a rheumatoid nodule, I'd believe her, and I

apologize if I have confused you...just wanted to answer your

question.

Judi

>

[Guest guest]

Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

since I have been a professional truck driver most of

my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

squarehead.(Ken)

--- BethB413@... wrote:

>

> Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I

> have been battling

> autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like

> everyone else I am sure, I have run

> the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>

> I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork

> is always different.

> We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another

> till I saw her this week.

> I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right

> away she said that she

> could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the

> record I have had a second

> opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied

> a lot -- I feel like she

> is a great doctor).

>

> SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA?

> My rheumatologist

> indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA

> based on the nodule and the

> history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been

> negative. ( I have had a

> positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor

> says I am like 5% of her patients

> with strange bloodwork each time.

>

> Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks

> with lupus or other

> autoimmune issues also get these?

>

> Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there

> is support out there!

>

> Warmly,

> Beth

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

since I have been a professional truck driver most of

my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

squarehead.(Ken)

--- BethB413@... wrote:

>

> Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I

> have been battling

> autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like

> everyone else I am sure, I have run

> the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>

> I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork

> is always different.

> We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another

> till I saw her this week.

> I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right

> away she said that she

> could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the

> record I have had a second

> opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied

> a lot -- I feel like she

> is a great doctor).

>

> SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA?

> My rheumatologist

> indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA

> based on the nodule and the

> history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been

> negative. ( I have had a

> positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor

> says I am like 5% of her patients

> with strange bloodwork each time.

>

> Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks

> with lupus or other

> autoimmune issues also get these?

>

> Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there

> is support out there!

>

> Warmly,

> Beth

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Welcome to out group Beth. I¹m sorry for the reasons you found us, but glad

you did. It is so frustrating to have all of this going on and no answers.

I¹m more sorry to tell you that RA is not the only disease that nodules are

present.

Subcutaneous nodule, Table 1. Some conditions associated with subcutaneous

nodules:

Behcets syndrome

Churg Strauss syndrome

Dysgammaglobulinopathies

Eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis

Farber's lipogranulomatosis

Fat necrosis

Haemochromatosis

Juvenile chronic arthritis

Leprosy

Mixed connective tissue disease

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatoid arthritis

Sarcoidosis

Scleroderma

Scleroma

Sjogrens syndrome

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Viral hepatitis

Whipples disease

Source:

http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/medical/volume%20III%201/SUBCUT

ANEOUS%20NODULE.ASP

So as you see, nodules are not specific to RA. Doctors usually base the

diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis on the presence of at least four of the

following criteria:

* Morning stiffness that lasts at least one hour and that has been

present for at least six weeks

* Swelling of three or more joints for at least six weeks

* Swelling of the wrist, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), or proximal

interphalangeal (PIP) joints for at least six weeks

* Swelling of the same joints on both sides of the body

* Changes in hand x-rays that are characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis

* Rheumatoid nodules of the skin

* Rheumatoid factor found in the blood

However, these criteria are most helpful in people with established

rheumatoid arthritis, and they may be absent early in the course of the

condition. Furthermore, the criteria may be present in some people in the

early stages of other rheumatic conditions.

Source:

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=arth_rhe/2411

The nodule in your elbow is one more piece to the puzzle.

a

>

> Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I have been battling

> autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like everyone else I am sure, I

> have run

> the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>

> I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork is always different.

> We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another till I saw her this week.

> I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right away she said that she

> could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the record I have had a

> second

> opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied a lot -- I feel like she

> is a great doctor).

>

> SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA? My rheumatologist

> indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA based on the nodule and the

> history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been negative. ( I have had a

> positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor says I am like 5% of her

> patients

> with strange bloodwork each time.

>

> Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks with lupus or other

> autoimmune issues also get these?

>

> Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there is support out there!

>

> Warmly,

> Beth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to out group Beth. I¹m sorry for the reasons you found us, but glad

you did. It is so frustrating to have all of this going on and no answers.

I¹m more sorry to tell you that RA is not the only disease that nodules are

present.

Subcutaneous nodule, Table 1. Some conditions associated with subcutaneous

nodules:

Behcets syndrome

Churg Strauss syndrome

Dysgammaglobulinopathies

Eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis

Farber's lipogranulomatosis

Fat necrosis

Haemochromatosis

Juvenile chronic arthritis

Leprosy

Mixed connective tissue disease

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatoid arthritis

Sarcoidosis

Scleroderma

Scleroma

Sjogrens syndrome

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Viral hepatitis

Whipples disease

Source:

http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/medical/volume%20III%201/SUBCUT

ANEOUS%20NODULE.ASP

So as you see, nodules are not specific to RA. Doctors usually base the

diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis on the presence of at least four of the

following criteria:

* Morning stiffness that lasts at least one hour and that has been

present for at least six weeks

* Swelling of three or more joints for at least six weeks

* Swelling of the wrist, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), or proximal

interphalangeal (PIP) joints for at least six weeks

* Swelling of the same joints on both sides of the body

* Changes in hand x-rays that are characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis

* Rheumatoid nodules of the skin

* Rheumatoid factor found in the blood

However, these criteria are most helpful in people with established

rheumatoid arthritis, and they may be absent early in the course of the

condition. Furthermore, the criteria may be present in some people in the

early stages of other rheumatic conditions.

Source:

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=arth_rhe/2411

The nodule in your elbow is one more piece to the puzzle.

a

>

> Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I have been battling

> autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like everyone else I am sure, I

> have run

> the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>

> I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork is always different.

> We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another till I saw her this week.

> I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right away she said that she

> could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the record I have had a

> second

> opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied a lot -- I feel like she

> is a great doctor).

>

> SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA? My rheumatologist

> indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA based on the nodule and the

> history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been negative. ( I have had a

> positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor says I am like 5% of her

> patients

> with strange bloodwork each time.

>

> Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks with lupus or other

> autoimmune issues also get these?

>

> Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there is support out there!

>

> Warmly,

> Beth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ken. You are very blessed to have such a wonderful wife.

I too have a very supportive husband and I know it makes a big difference.

It breaks my heart when I read that a spouse has left someone because they

are ill.

You will find many friends here to chat with that understand what you are

going through.

a

>

> Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

> luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

> limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

> sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

> can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

> indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

> please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

> this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

> since I have been a professional truck driver most of

> my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

> pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

> R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

> the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

> you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

> trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

> doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

> understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

> just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

> I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

> housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

> lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

> feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

> squarehead.(Ken)

> --- BethB413@... wrote:

>

>> >

>> > Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I

>> > have been battling

>> > autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like

>> > everyone else I am sure, I have run

>> > the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>> >

>> > I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork

>> > is always different.

>> > We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another

>> > till I saw her this week.

>> > I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right

>> > away she said that she

>> > could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the

>> > record I have had a second

>> > opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied

>> > a lot -- I feel like she

>> > is a great doctor).

>> >

>> > SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA?

>> > My rheumatologist

>> > indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA

>> > based on the nodule and the

>> > history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been

>> > negative. ( I have had a

>> > positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor

>> > says I am like 5% of her patients

>> > with strange bloodwork each time.

>> >

>> > Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks

>> > with lupus or other

>> > autoimmune issues also get these?

>> >

>> > Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there

>> > is support out there!

>> >

>> > Warmly,

>> > Beth

>> >

>> >

>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

>> > removed]

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ken. You are very blessed to have such a wonderful wife.

I too have a very supportive husband and I know it makes a big difference.

It breaks my heart when I read that a spouse has left someone because they

are ill.

You will find many friends here to chat with that understand what you are

going through.

a

>

> Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

> luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

> limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

> sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

> can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

> indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

> please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

> this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

> since I have been a professional truck driver most of

> my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

> pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

> R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

> the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

> you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

> trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

> doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

> understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

> just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

> I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

> housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

> lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

> feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

> squarehead.(Ken)

> --- BethB413@... wrote:

>

>> >

>> > Hi ... my name is Beth and I am new to the list. I

>> > have been battling

>> > autoimmune issues for about 3 years now. Like

>> > everyone else I am sure, I have run

>> > the gamut with weird things and weird blood tests.

>> >

>> > I see my rheumatologist monthly because my bloodwork

>> > is always different.

>> > We didn't have a firm diagnosis one way or another

>> > till I saw her this week.

>> > I showed her a small nodule on my elbow and right

>> > away she said that she

>> > could now (finally!) diagnosis me with RA. (For the

>> > record I have had a second

>> > opinion on all this autoimmune crap and have studied

>> > a lot -- I feel like she

>> > is a great doctor).

>> >

>> > SO my question is ... are nodules ONLY found in RA?

>> > My rheumatologist

>> > indicated that they were and diagnosed me with RA

>> > based on the nodule and the

>> > history of my bloodwork, although my RF has been

>> > negative. ( I have had a

>> > positive ANA, positive Lyme's, etc.). My doctor

>> > says I am like 5% of her patients

>> > with strange bloodwork each time.

>> >

>> > Again, are the nodules found ONLY in RA or do folks

>> > with lupus or other

>> > autoimmune issues also get these?

>> >

>> > Thanks for any words of wisdom! Glad to know there

>> > is support out there!

>> >

>> > Warmly,

>> > Beth

>> >

>> >

>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

>> > removed]

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the replies to my question about whether nodules are only present

in RA.

Judi and Ken, I appreciate your thoughts and I empathize with what you are

going through.

a, I thank you for the expert articles. It's pretty much as I thought

in that there are other conditions out there. Based on history and what I

know, I am OK with the diagnosis. It's just nice to have a plan to work from

FINALLY.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Warmly,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the replies to my question about whether nodules are only present

in RA.

Judi and Ken, I appreciate your thoughts and I empathize with what you are

going through.

a, I thank you for the expert articles. It's pretty much as I thought

in that there are other conditions out there. Based on history and what I

know, I am OK with the diagnosis. It's just nice to have a plan to work from

FINALLY.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Warmly,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi, Ken. your experiences with Ra sound similar to mine. The difference is

that mine took a couple of years to get to the bedridden stage. The company

I worked for has a 'policy' that " everyone has Arthritis, big deal! " Of

course, I was told that as long as I can talk, I'll have a personal

secretary so I can dictate letters and other responses to customers. That

idea was forgotten the same day, I think, because I was laid off after 20

years instead of getting a disability retirement.

Since I had no income, I couldn't help family or 'friends' so all of them

disapeared, leaving me to my own devices. I was fortunate that I had built

my own house from my pocket (no mortgages) and all my vehicles were paid

for. I even had trouble with my wife of 25 years. The reality of it is that

I didn't/don't look different, just can't do what I used to. That was the

hardest part of all, my wife not understanding. After a couple of years, she

learned lots about my condition and how bad I hurt just listening to my

voice. Even with the lack of support from everybody else, we have rearranged

our lives to deal with the RA, and now we are the only family members still

living comfortably, except for meds of course. One of the first things I did

was to buy a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle as my mobility vehicle. It sounds

strange to use it, but all controls are on a couple of fingers and toes.

With a car/van/??, to hit the brakes, you have to use muscles up into the

upper chest and legs are confined to the floorboards. It's not like that

with the bike. Now we have converted the newest bike to a trike so it won't

fall over (I hope) and it even has reverse as standard equipment for the

bike. Now I'm building a drag racer. I takes me days to do hours of work,

but I haven't given up, and believe these hobbies keep me moving, no matter

how slow. And the most important thing of all, my wife and I celebrated our

40th anniversary last month, and are closer each day.

It does get better if you let it,

Dennis

Re: [ ] Question about Nodules!

>

>

> Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

> luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

> limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

> sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

> can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

> indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

> please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

> this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

> since I have been a professional truck driver most of

> my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

> pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

> R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

> the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

> you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

> trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

> doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

> understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

> just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

> I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

> housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

> lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

> feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

> squarehead.(Ken)

[Guest guest]

Hi, Ken. your experiences with Ra sound similar to mine. The difference is

that mine took a couple of years to get to the bedridden stage. The company

I worked for has a 'policy' that " everyone has Arthritis, big deal! " Of

course, I was told that as long as I can talk, I'll have a personal

secretary so I can dictate letters and other responses to customers. That

idea was forgotten the same day, I think, because I was laid off after 20

years instead of getting a disability retirement.

Since I had no income, I couldn't help family or 'friends' so all of them

disapeared, leaving me to my own devices. I was fortunate that I had built

my own house from my pocket (no mortgages) and all my vehicles were paid

for. I even had trouble with my wife of 25 years. The reality of it is that

I didn't/don't look different, just can't do what I used to. That was the

hardest part of all, my wife not understanding. After a couple of years, she

learned lots about my condition and how bad I hurt just listening to my

voice. Even with the lack of support from everybody else, we have rearranged

our lives to deal with the RA, and now we are the only family members still

living comfortably, except for meds of course. One of the first things I did

was to buy a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle as my mobility vehicle. It sounds

strange to use it, but all controls are on a couple of fingers and toes.

With a car/van/??, to hit the brakes, you have to use muscles up into the

upper chest and legs are confined to the floorboards. It's not like that

with the bike. Now we have converted the newest bike to a trike so it won't

fall over (I hope) and it even has reverse as standard equipment for the

bike. Now I'm building a drag racer. I takes me days to do hours of work,

but I haven't given up, and believe these hobbies keep me moving, no matter

how slow. And the most important thing of all, my wife and I celebrated our

40th anniversary last month, and are closer each day.

It does get better if you let it,

Dennis

Re: [ ] Question about Nodules!

>

>

> Greetings,Beth....My name is Ken, I am 52, and

> luckely,married to a wondeerful woman who accepts the

> limitatioms imposed upon my body by severe R.A. I am

> sorry about your lumps, but I question how your doctor

> can diagnose you with R.A. when your blood test

> indicates a negative for R.A. I am new to this group,

> please forgive my boldness, but I am housebound by

> this disease, in a wheelchair most of the time,and

> since I have been a professional truck driver most of

> my life, I have no close friends to talk to about the

> pain I live with daily. Beth, if you do indeed have

> R.A. you will know...you will wake up very stiff in

> the mornings in extreme pain, and often it will take

> you up tp an hour just to get up. you will have

> trouble doing even the simplest tasks...and no one who

> doesn't have a knowledge of this condition will truly

> understand. I hope I haven't been too forward...I am

> just desoerate for a friend, one who knows of the pain

> I live with daily, and the depression of having to be

> housebound, all by myself, dad after day, because my

> lovely wife has to work. God bless you, and if you

> feel led, please write me back. Sincerely,

> squarehead.(Ken)