Could something else be wrong with me besides RA??

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Does anyone else get the feeling that they have not been completely

and correctly diagnosed yet? I do believe I have RA with Sjogren's

syndrome and I know I have sleep apnea, but I have so much SEVERE

FLUID RETENTION and just other symptoms like sinus problems and

bowel problems to the point that I cannot eat out at any restaurant

or eat before we go anywhere for fear of severe bouts of diarrhea

(sorry gross I know). I had a colonoscopy that was normal and I do

have GERD for which I take Nexium and that helps the heartburn from

all my RA meds, but I think there is a small bowel issue going on.

I am also allergic to many meds so it makes my treatment that much

more difficult. I feel like the doctors are puzzled with me and are

not quite sure they have the full answers with me yet either. Kind

of like they are scratching their heads a bit you know? I feel so

isolated and alone with all this going on. I am not sure where to

turn. I would love to have a full evaluation by the Mayo Clinic

from head to toe but it is too far and not enough $$$$ if you know

what I mean. That would be my big wish though if I could.

I'd appreciate any ideas from anyone. Thanks.

Tracie

[Guest guest]

Tracie, I was having severe diarrhea from a diabetes med, but when I

started eating some yogurt every day, it solved the problem for me. I

don't know if it would help in your case or not, but it might be worth

a try.

Sue

On Tuesday, September 12, 2006, at 04:47 PM, tracierae143 wrote:

>

> bowel problems to the point that I cannot eat out at any restaurant

> or eat before we go anywhere for fear of severe bouts of diarrhea

> (sorry gross I know). I had a colonoscopy that was normal and I do

> have GERD for which I take Nexium and that helps the heartburn from

> all my RA meds, but I think there is a small bowel issue going on.

[Guest guest]

HI,

My GI doctor told me to take Flora Q, a 4 strains probionic. I take one

a day when my bowels act up. It works real well. I bought mine at Sam's

Club in Texas. If you don't have that one, call Costco or your local

pharmacies. I paid $38 for 30 tablets.I do have IBS and gastritis, too.

I have seen my GI doc since 1988 but I might have to change docs now.

His triage system is way too horrible. He did order a lab test to make

sure my liver enzymes are ok.

take care,

Debbie L

> >

> > bowel problems to the point that I cannot eat out at any restaurant

> > or eat before we go anywhere for fear of severe bouts of diarrhea

> > (sorry gross I know). I had a colonoscopy that was normal and I do

> > have GERD for which I take Nexium and that helps the heartburn from

> > all my RA meds, but I think there is a small bowel issue going on.

>

[Guest guest]

--- In , " tracierae143 " <tracierae143@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi all,

>

> Does anyone else get the feeling that they have not been

completely

> and correctly diagnosed yet? I do believe I have RA with .

> bowel problems to the point that I cannot eat out at any

restaurant

> or eat before we go anywhere for fear of severe bouts of diarrhea

> (sorry gross I know). I had a colonoscopy that was normal and I

do

>

I also had sever diarrehea for 1 1/2 years. My colonoscopy

was " normal " and I was told when I woke that I didn't need another

for 10 years. Because I had told the Gastro doctor that when I took

Pred, my diarreha stopped, he did a bunch of biopsies. I got a call

3 weeks later, went into see my Gastro and learned I had Collogeous

Colitis which is another auto immune disease. I've been on Asacol, 4

pills 3 X " s daily since and I have it under control. Maybe you

should check it out.

Colleen

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I haven't been completely diagnosed, and my OA came on three

years ago. My primary said I have a " complicated case, " and I

have to agree. Neurological problems are suspected, but the

tests have so far showed nothing. My doctors are putting the

puzzle together a piece at a time, it seems. I stopped tramadol

on my rheumy's advice and discovered that it made no difference

to my pain. I took prednisone, and it had no effect. Hopefully,

this will provide diagnostic information.

Tracie, like you, I can't afford to go elsewhere for diagnosis. I'm

paying for my own insurance and can't spend another cent on

care. All I can do is wait and hope that the upcoming tests and

x-rays will provide a complete answer.

>

> Hi all,

>

> Does anyone else get the feeling that they have not been

completely

> and correctly diagnosed yet? I do believe I have RA with

Sjogren's

> syndrome and I know I have sleep apnea, but I have so much

SEVERE

> FLUID RETENTION and just other symptoms like sinus

problems and

> bowel problems to the point that I cannot eat out at any

restaurant

> or eat before we go anywhere for fear of severe bouts of

diarrhea

> (sorry gross I know). I had a colonoscopy that was normal and

I do

> have GERD for which I take Nexium and that helps the

heartburn from

> all my RA meds, but I think there is a small bowel issue going

on.

> I am also allergic to many meds so it makes my treatment that

much

> more difficult. I feel like the doctors are puzzled with me and

are

> not quite sure they have the full answers with me yet either.

Kind

> of like they are scratching their heads a bit you know? I feel so

> isolated and alone with all this going on. I am not sure where

to

> turn. I would love to have a full evaluation by the Mayo Clinic

> from head to toe but it is too far and not enough $$$$ if you

know

> what I mean. That would be my big wish though if I could.

>

> I'd appreciate any ideas from anyone. Thanks.

>

> Tracie

>