Re: What to do/say at Dr's appt

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane

I don't know your story but if you've been with this group for a while you'll

find that most of us have had this experience. No one believes you until you

suffer actual bone or tissue damage. Until then there is no verifiable truth

for the medical profession. I hate to sound pessimistic but this just seems to

be the case.

In my situation, I had pain and symptoms for years before the RA factor

showed up. I was told I had carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion, and

stress, (how I learned to hate that word). Anyway, I suffered with extreme

fatigue, pain in my shoulders, jaw, and hands. Starting Methotrexate (about 5

years ago) gave me my first true relief. Now I'm on Enbrel, Mtx, and Prednizone

when I need it. But I'm still tried, I still have pain, and thanks to previous

doctor's bone damage.

Take Care

Babs

[Guest guest]

I had my husband take digital pics. of my hands when they were

swollen like sausages in the morning. It worked well. There's

nothing like photographic proof.

>

> Guys, what do I do or say to get further testing if th ANA test

comes

> back with nothing? How do I get the Dr to look around and make a

dx of

> some kind? Everyone is looking at me like Im a hypochondriac or

> something, but I swear Im not. Help!

>

> Any suggestion or info is appreciated.

>

> Jane

>

[Guest guest]

An excellent idea!

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: What to do/say at Dr's appt

>I had my husband take digital pics. of my hands when they were

> swollen like sausages in the morning. It worked well. There's

> nothing like photographic proof.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>>

>> Guys, what do I do or say to get further testing if th ANA test

> comes

>> back with nothing? How do I get the Dr to look around and make a

> dx of

>> some kind? Everyone is looking at me like Im a hypochondriac or

>> something, but I swear Im not. Help!

>>

>> Any suggestion or info is appreciated.

>>

>> Jane

[Guest guest]

Have you been tested for Rheumatoid Factor? That's what got the ball rolling

with my doctor. Just be persistant, you know better than anyone when something

is wrong with your body. Holly

skyhawk7593 <audcarmom@...> wrote: I had my husband take digital

pics. of my hands when they were

swollen like sausages in the morning. It worked well. There's

nothing like photographic proof.

>

> Guys, what do I do or say to get further testing if th ANA test

comes

> back with nothing? How do I get the Dr to look around and make a

dx of

> some kind? Everyone is looking at me like Im a hypochondriac or

> something, but I swear Im not. Help!

>

> Any suggestion or info is appreciated.

>

> Jane

>

[Guest guest]

On 1/16/06, jmorob@... <jmorob@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Jane

>

> I don't know your story but if you've been with this group for a while

> you'll

> find that most of us have had this experience. No one believes you

PMR is different than RA, it attacks your muscles instead of your joints. I

was so stiff I couldn't even turn to look at something without standing up

and turning. The doctor I was seeing kept telling me I must be sleeping

wrong!

I was desparate by the time I got to my current PCP. She touched my

shoulder, felt the muscle spasm, and said " oh, honey, you must hurt so

much! " I actually sat there and cried that somebody believed me.

South Pasadena, CA

Polymyaligia Rhuematica, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, ADH

Prednisone, Methotrexate (pills), Lipitor, Fosamax D, Metformin