Re: Re:Test results negative... now what?

[Guest guest]

What kind of rash is it? Could it be psoriasis? There is a psoriatic arthritis

that has

a lot of the same symptoms and it treated similar to RA.

Joy

REBECCA COHEN <blondie10@...> wrote:

Hi Amy,

I am going through the same process that you are going through now. I have the

symptoms of RA, but I do not have a diagnosis. My rheumatologist runs blood work

at each of my visits, but everything is normal. One time my SED rate was high,

but the past couple of times the rate was in a normal range. My doc has put me

on dolobid that seems to work well for the pain that I was having in my hands,

arms, upper body, and ankles. I get rashes on my hands that never go away

anymore, my hands look old. I am 46 and am anxious to understand what may be

going on with me, since I do not believe that anyone in my family has ever had

RA (to my knowledge). My husband is not empathetic and believes that this is

something that will go away, but it has not. In addition to the dolobid, the doc

wants to start me on plaquenil. I am waiting to visit an ophthalmologist prior

to starting the drug. My doc says the plaquenil will help with the rash on my

hands. My rheumatologist is treating me for

RA, but he says that my symptoms could be Lupus related. I am confused about

the whole process and am wondering when I may know when my condition will be

identified. At this point, I want to know. I have been affected by this

affliction since March 2006.

Cohen

blondie10@...

rcohen1@...