new here intro

[Guest guest]

Hello to everyone. My name is Kristi and I have gotten

a " preliminary " diagnosis of RA. I have been lurking for a few days

to see if this would be a place to join, and everyone seems so caring

and fabulous despite everyone's extraordinary challenges and painful

stories.

I haven't seen a Rheumatologist yet and my GP tested me for several

things, but I am not even sure what, except that he told me my I

didn't have Lupus but I have RA factor. My symptoms are constant pain

in my ankle and wrist and extreme fatigue. I feel so lost and

confused. I don't know what to expect, and he said he doesn't " touch "

this diagnosis, except to preliminary tests for the Rheumatologist. I

am supposed to see the Rheumy in about 3 weeks. I am on Celebrex

though. I can't really tell if it is helping or not. Did anyone else

start with these type of symptoms?

Thanks for any info. and hugs to all of you who are suffering so

much.

Kristi

[Guest guest]

Welcome Kristi,

Glad you found the group, its a nice place to be. We have wonderful

moderators that help us out, if we have questions. This is a loving

RA family, and someone is always there to help out. It is very

overwhelming when first diagnosed with RA. Just try to read as much

as you can about the disease. There are a couple of good sights,

www.arthritisinsight.com www.arthritis.org Starting on Celebrex

until seeing the rheumy is OK. Keep us posted on your rheumy visit,

Tawny

>

> Hello to everyone. My name is Kristi and I have gotten

> a " preliminary " diagnosis of RA. I have been lurking for a few

days

> to see if this would be a place to join, and everyone seems so

caring

> and fabulous despite everyone's extraordinary challenges and

painful

> stories.

> I haven't seen a Rheumatologist yet and my GP tested me for several

> things, but I am not even sure what, except that he told me my I

> didn't have Lupus but I have RA factor. My symptoms are constant

pain

> in my ankle and wrist and extreme fatigue. I feel so lost and

> confused. I don't know what to expect, and he said he

doesn't " touch "

> this diagnosis, except to preliminary tests for the

Rheumatologist. I

> am supposed to see the Rheumy in about 3 weeks. I am on Celebrex

> though. I can't really tell if it is helping or not. Did anyone

else

> start with these type of symptoms?

> Thanks for any info. and hugs to all of you who are suffering so

> much.

> Kristi

>

[Guest guest]

> Hello to everyone. My name is Kristi and I have gotten

> a " preliminary " diagnosis of RA.

Hi Kristi,

I am and also new to the group and also lurking about. I hope

that you will get to see Rheumatologist soon, waiting is so horrible.

I've been diagnosed with RA over 10 years ago, my RA is seronegative

(no RA factor) and it started out with fatigue and pain in feet and

fingers. Usually RA will affect the smallest joints in your body,

both sides, the joints might swell up, get red and hurt. You might

even have low grade fever. I never took Celebrex, started on

prednisone, then plaquenil, prednisone.

Your Rheumatologist will be able to run other tests and really zero in

what is happening with you. Hope for the best.

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

Where in rural illinois?

new here intro

Hi thereNew hereI have a son 18 recently diagnosed with AS. He also has a TBI (Tramatic Brain injury) suffered in a serious car accident (May 2005.Anyway we just recently got the AS diagnosis. Thought he had ADHD back in the day.Live in rural Illinois and my son Adam is a Senior in high school. Just trying to get him through some of the difficulties he has. Any sugeestions or comments or just anything.Cyndie