New here-could use some advice please

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you who

have had the same experience can shed some light.

I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in my

left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk without

excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu. Over

a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen and

painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now my

right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and I

can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain will

radiate up to the elbow.

I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me that

it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

anti-inflammatories.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be greatly

appreciated.

Thanks,

Tee

[Guest guest]

Tee,

My RA started off like you describe. One joint would hurt for a while,

then the pain would move to some other joint for a while. The pain kept

increasing in intensity until I went to a rheumatologist. At first he

diagnosed me with two frozen shoulders and diabetic limited joint

mobility syndrome in my hands. The pain did not abate, so then he

ordered blood work. My RF factor, sed rate, and C-reactive protein were

all pretty high, so there was no doubt then that I had RA. Are these

the tests your GP ordered?

Many people with RA are negative for RF factor, so RA cannot be ruled

out yet. I would suggest that you find a good rheumatologist and make

an appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes you have to wait for

months to get in to see one. There are other auto immune diseases that

you might have instead of RA. A good rheumy (That's what we call them

here.) will go not by just blood tests; he will also consider the

symptoms you are having. You don't want to be suffering all that pain

for a year waiting with your GP to see what's going to happen. Enough

is happening NOW for you to want and need some relief. These diseases

can be difficult to diagnose, but a rheumy is best able to do it.

Keep us informed and feel free to unload your frustrations here.

Sue

On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, at 09:58 PM, teerific11 wrote:

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

[Guest guest]

Tee,

My RA started off like you describe. One joint would hurt for a while,

then the pain would move to some other joint for a while. The pain kept

increasing in intensity until I went to a rheumatologist. At first he

diagnosed me with two frozen shoulders and diabetic limited joint

mobility syndrome in my hands. The pain did not abate, so then he

ordered blood work. My RF factor, sed rate, and C-reactive protein were

all pretty high, so there was no doubt then that I had RA. Are these

the tests your GP ordered?

Many people with RA are negative for RF factor, so RA cannot be ruled

out yet. I would suggest that you find a good rheumatologist and make

an appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes you have to wait for

months to get in to see one. There are other auto immune diseases that

you might have instead of RA. A good rheumy (That's what we call them

here.) will go not by just blood tests; he will also consider the

symptoms you are having. You don't want to be suffering all that pain

for a year waiting with your GP to see what's going to happen. Enough

is happening NOW for you to want and need some relief. These diseases

can be difficult to diagnose, but a rheumy is best able to do it.

Keep us informed and feel free to unload your frustrations here.

Sue

On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, at 09:58 PM, teerific11 wrote:

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Tee! Sorry that you are having problems and your

GP isn't very helpful or curious.

Rheumatologists diagnose and treat a multitude of musculoskeletal

conditions, not just RA. I would make an appointment with a one ASAP.

And I declare you NOT OLD!

(45 years young)

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] New here-could use some advice please

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu. Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Tee! Sorry that you are having problems and your

GP isn't very helpful or curious.

Rheumatologists diagnose and treat a multitude of musculoskeletal

conditions, not just RA. I would make an appointment with a one ASAP.

And I declare you NOT OLD!

(45 years young)

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] New here-could use some advice please

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu. Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. My ra was diagnosed a few months ago

but I believe I've had it for a long time at least for 20 yrs.

Anyways two yrs ago I was told that my hands were not swollen, all

he saw was that I was overweight, which I am, but that was not the

root of all the pain I was having and it wasn't until I found a dr.

that thought that there was more to it than that, so he referred me

to an ortho doc and he in turn referred me to a rheumy. My rheumy,

did blood work and I had xrays and an MRI of my hands and he said it

was ra among other things, anyways you should see a rheumy ASAP and

just take it from there. If you don't feel happy with the first one,

just find another. Don't give up until you find the right one.

I will keep you in my prayers and I hope the pain subsides.

Hugs ~ROSA~

--- In , " teerific11 " <teerific11@y...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any

x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the

counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from

here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another

joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome to the group. My ra was diagnosed a few months ago

but I believe I've had it for a long time at least for 20 yrs.

Anyways two yrs ago I was told that my hands were not swollen, all

he saw was that I was overweight, which I am, but that was not the

root of all the pain I was having and it wasn't until I found a dr.

that thought that there was more to it than that, so he referred me

to an ortho doc and he in turn referred me to a rheumy. My rheumy,

did blood work and I had xrays and an MRI of my hands and he said it

was ra among other things, anyways you should see a rheumy ASAP and

just take it from there. If you don't feel happy with the first one,

just find another. Don't give up until you find the right one.

I will keep you in my prayers and I hope the pain subsides.

Hugs ~ROSA~

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any

x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the

counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from

here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another

joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi My name is Angie I am almost 31 and my symptoms were a lot likt

yours I tested negative too but saw a rheumy because nothing helped

and he has diagnosed me with RA I would see a rheumy as soon as you

can welcome to a great group

--- In , " teerific11 " <teerific11@y...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any

x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the

counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from

here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another

joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi My name is Angie I am almost 31 and my symptoms were a lot likt

yours I tested negative too but saw a rheumy because nothing helped

and he has diagnosed me with RA I would see a rheumy as soon as you

can welcome to a great group

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any

x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the

counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from

here? I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another

joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

--- In , " teerific11 " <teerific11@y...>

wrote:

It's not " old age " at 47, and with your symptoms. I would strongly

suggest seeking another opinion. Connective tissue diseases can be

present without abnormalities in lab tests. Reporting from the

patient and clinical symptoms are very important sources of

diagnostic information. Trust yourself!

S

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here?

I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

It's not " old age " at 47, and with your symptoms. I would strongly

suggest seeking another opinion. Connective tissue diseases can be

present without abnormalities in lab tests. Reporting from the

patient and clinical symptoms are very important sources of

diagnostic information. Trust yourself!

S

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here?

I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Tee,

You've already gotten some great advice but I want to also say

welcome to the group. As others have mentioned, RA cannot be

diagnosed or ruled out with any existing blood test. RA is diagnosed

over time by monitoring bloodwork, watching your symptoms and trying

some RA treatments to see if they make a difference in the symptoms.

Your GP is clearly not aware of how to diagnose or rule out RA,

specifically that you need to see a rheumatologist to do this.

Does your health insurance require a referral? If not, see if you

can get a recommendation for a good rheumatologist in your area. If

you tell us where you live, someone here might know of one.

Otherwise, you can call your local arthritis foundation or check with

local universities (research schools are a good place to start).

Just as in any profession, rheumatologists are not all created

equal. You need to find a good one, and you know you have a good one

when he is cautious in diagnosing RA, never dismissive of your

symptoms, aggressive in treating it if you are diagnosed, and if the

advice you get is generally consistent with the latest research.

If this is RA, it sounds similar to the way mine started. Painful

joints would happen here and there. My rheumy said this is common

when one is about to get RA, he referred to it as the

disease " brewing. " Eventually it did settle more in my hands and

feet, as is common with RA. I did not have morning stiffness at

first either, but that did eventually come as well.

Jennie

--- In , " teerific11 " <teerific11@y...>

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here?

I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

Tee,

You've already gotten some great advice but I want to also say

welcome to the group. As others have mentioned, RA cannot be

diagnosed or ruled out with any existing blood test. RA is diagnosed

over time by monitoring bloodwork, watching your symptoms and trying

some RA treatments to see if they make a difference in the symptoms.

Your GP is clearly not aware of how to diagnose or rule out RA,

specifically that you need to see a rheumatologist to do this.

Does your health insurance require a referral? If not, see if you

can get a recommendation for a good rheumatologist in your area. If

you tell us where you live, someone here might know of one.

Otherwise, you can call your local arthritis foundation or check with

local universities (research schools are a good place to start).

Just as in any profession, rheumatologists are not all created

equal. You need to find a good one, and you know you have a good one

when he is cautious in diagnosing RA, never dismissive of your

symptoms, aggressive in treating it if you are diagnosed, and if the

advice you get is generally consistent with the latest research.

If this is RA, it sounds similar to the way mine started. Painful

joints would happen here and there. My rheumy said this is common

when one is about to get RA, he referred to it as the

disease " brewing. " Eventually it did settle more in my hands and

feet, as is common with RA. I did not have morning stiffness at

first either, but that did eventually come as well.

Jennie

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you

who

> have had the same experience can shed some light.

>

> I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in

my

> left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

> about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk

without

> excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu.

Over

> a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen

and

> painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now

my

> right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and

I

> can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain

will

> radiate up to the elbow.

>

> I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

> came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

> leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me

that

> it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

> he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

> the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

> rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

> treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

> anti-inflammatories.

>

> Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here?

I

> never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

> will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

> hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

>

> Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

> Tee

[Guest guest]

I am new to RA. Just having been diagnosed myself. My suggestion is to insist

on a diagnosis. SEE A RHEUMATOLOGIST! I have just begun treatment. Not a

miracle. But, things are better. Don't wait like I did until you cannot even

get out of bed.

Beth

teerific11 <teerific11@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you who

have had the same experience can shed some light.

I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in my

left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk without

excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu. Over

a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen and

painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now my

right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and I

can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain will

radiate up to the elbow.

I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me that

it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

anti-inflammatories.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be greatly

appreciated.

Thanks,

Tee

[Guest guest]

I am new to RA. Just having been diagnosed myself. My suggestion is to insist

on a diagnosis. SEE A RHEUMATOLOGIST! I have just begun treatment. Not a

miracle. But, things are better. Don't wait like I did until you cannot even

get out of bed.

Beth

teerific11 <teerific11@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am new here and have a few questions in hopes maybe some of you who

have had the same experience can shed some light.

I have had painful joints for almost 9 months now. It started in my

left shoulder and I was unable to lift it without pain-this lasted

about 4 months. Then both hip joints left me unable to walk without

excruciating pain for about 3 days. I felt like I had the flu. Over

a couple of weeks it subsided. Then my left ankle became swollen and

painful for no apparent reason and is still slightly swollen. Now my

right elbow is very painful, hurts to touch the area around it and I

can't grip or lift anything with the right hand because the pain will

radiate up to the elbow.

I saw my GP last week and he suspected lupus or RA. My blood work

came back yesterday negative for all. Good news I know, but it

leaves me wondering what the heck is happening. My dr. told me that

it's just " old age " and may be the beginning of RA, but not sure-

he'll repeat the tests in one year. I'm 47 and not ready to throw

the towel in just yet nor have to wait a year! He didn't do any x-

rays at all on my elbow or ankle. I'm not very happy with his

treatment, which is nothing! Just told me to take over the counter

anti-inflammatories.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do from here? I

never had any health problems until this. I'm afraid another joint

will start acting up and quite frankly I'm already frustrated. I

hate to make an appt. with a rheumatologist if it might not be RA.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Any advice would be greatly

appreciated.

Thanks,

Tee