rheumy visit

June 23, 2008

I had an interesting, if brief (10 minutes), visit with my rheumy

today. This is my third dr at this office and my second visit with her.

I was dx'd last November. Was on MTX for about 3.5 months, went off it

and went on sulfasalzine for 3 weeks, off it, and now on Arava for 2

months.

When I originally presented I had very noticeable swelling of the

fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, feet, toes. That gradually

went away. I now have swelling periodically for a few days here and

there. Not on my two visits to this dr although I have mentioned the

swelling. The pain level is overall better than when dx'd but it too

varies from day-to-day. I have regular stiffness and intense fatigue.

I have limited motion in one finger now, and a regular limp. I

mentioned these all to the dr (if she can't see them herself).

My SED rate has been steadily increasing by about two points between

each lab workup since going off the MTX. (normal range 0-20 / mine

originally was 48, then 28, now up to 38)

The dr told me today that we would wait longer on the Arava (which is

ok with me since I'm not having side-effects, even if it doesn't feel

like it's doing much yet), since it appears that I have " mild " RA. She

doesn't want to rush in to anything (ie. biologics). She says that my

RA is atypical since I don't have the swelling anymore (apparently

intermittent swelling doesn't count, or she doesn't believe it unless

she sees it), but that it probably won't cause damage since it's so mild.

Am I being a hypochondriac? Does it seem that she isn't listening to

me? When I presented I was pretty much incapacitated. What I think

she's saying to me, basically, is that unless it IS at that point it's

nothing to worry about. But my SED is what shows the inflammation,

even if there's no swelling right? And if it's so mild then why have I

needed to use up all of my sick and vacation time and why do I feel

like this.

Argh...maybe this is just a rant. I'm really not one to feel sorry for

myself or blow things out of proportion but I'm beginning to think the

dr's at this clinic are all whack!!!!

*smiling through the sighs*

Kim

June 23, 2008

Kim,

Do you have any damage already? Unfortunately, damage can occur even

if a patient seems to be in remission.

These days, I think rheumatologists should be aiming for " no evidence

of disease " (NED), and you're not there yet.

I would seek a second opinion.

Not an MD

On Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 4:22 PM, just call me Sheba

<queen_o_sheba@...> wrote:

> I had an interesting, if brief (10 minutes), visit with my rheumy

> today. This is my third dr at this office and my second visit with her.

>

> I was dx'd last November. Was on MTX for about 3.5 months, went off it

> and went on sulfasalzine for 3 weeks, off it, and now on Arava for 2

> months.

>

> When I originally presented I had very noticeable swelling of the

> fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, feet, toes. That gradually

> went away. I now have swelling periodically for a few days here and

> there. Not on my two visits to this dr although I have mentioned the

> swelling. The pain level is overall better than when dx'd but it too

> varies from day-to-day. I have regular stiffness and intense fatigue.

> I have limited motion in one finger now, and a regular limp. I

> mentioned these all to the dr (if she can't see them herself).

>

> My SED rate has been steadily increasing by about two points between

> each lab workup since going off the MTX. (normal range 0-20 / mine

> originally was 48, then 28, now up to 38)

>

> The dr told me today that we would wait longer on the Arava (which is

> ok with me since I'm not having side-effects, even if it doesn't feel

> like it's doing much yet), since it appears that I have " mild " RA. She

> doesn't want to rush in to anything (ie. biologics). She says that my

> RA is atypical since I don't have the swelling anymore (apparently

> intermittent swelling doesn't count, or she doesn't believe it unless

> she sees it), but that it probably won't cause damage since it's so mild.

>

> Am I being a hypochondriac? Does it seem that she isn't listening to

> me? When I presented I was pretty much incapacitated. What I think

> she's saying to me, basically, is that unless it IS at that point it's

> nothing to worry about. But my SED is what shows the inflammation,

> even if there's no swelling right? And if it's so mild then why have I

> needed to use up all of my sick and vacation time and why do I feel

> like this.

>

> Argh...maybe this is just a rant. I'm really not one to feel sorry for

> myself or blow things out of proportion but I'm beginning to think the

> dr's at this clinic are all whack!!!!

>

> *smiling through the sighs*

> Kim

June 23, 2008

I believe I may have damage in one finger joint and one toe joint just

by evidence of restricted range of motion (and I can see they are

misshapen). Unfortunately my dr won't authorize xrays because she says

I don't have damage yet. I know...how can she tell without the xrays?

crazy

I have to put on my boxing gloves I guess and start sparring with my HMO.

> > I had an interesting, if brief (10 minutes), visit with my rheumy

> > today. This is my third dr at this office and my second visit with

her.

> >

> > I was dx'd last November. Was on MTX for about 3.5 months, went off it

> > and went on sulfasalzine for 3 weeks, off it, and now on Arava for 2

> > months.

> >

> > When I originally presented I had very noticeable swelling of the

> > fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, feet, toes. That gradually

> > went away. I now have swelling periodically for a few days here and

> > there. Not on my two visits to this dr although I have mentioned the

> > swelling. The pain level is overall better than when dx'd but it too

> > varies from day-to-day. I have regular stiffness and intense fatigue.

> > I have limited motion in one finger now, and a regular limp. I

> > mentioned these all to the dr (if she can't see them herself).

> >

> > My SED rate has been steadily increasing by about two points between

> > each lab workup since going off the MTX. (normal range 0-20 / mine

> > originally was 48, then 28, now up to 38)

> >

> > The dr told me today that we would wait longer on the Arava (which is

> > ok with me since I'm not having side-effects, even if it doesn't feel

> > like it's doing much yet), since it appears that I have " mild " RA. She

> > doesn't want to rush in to anything (ie. biologics). She says that my

> > RA is atypical since I don't have the swelling anymore (apparently

> > intermittent swelling doesn't count, or she doesn't believe it unless

> > she sees it), but that it probably won't cause damage since it's

so mild.

> >

> > Am I being a hypochondriac? Does it seem that she isn't listening to

> > me? When I presented I was pretty much incapacitated. What I think

> > she's saying to me, basically, is that unless it IS at that point it's

> > nothing to worry about. But my SED is what shows the inflammation,

> > even if there's no swelling right? And if it's so mild then why have I

> > needed to use up all of my sick and vacation time and why do I feel

> > like this.

> >

> > Argh...maybe this is just a rant. I'm really not one to feel sorry for

> > myself or blow things out of proportion but I'm beginning to think the

> > dr's at this clinic are all whack!!!!

> >

> > *smiling through the sighs*

> > Kim

>

June 23, 2008

hi, i would put on my boxing gloves! sometimes drs. just think they know what's

BEST, but they don't. we r people & we have feelings! x-rays would totally HELP!

best wishes! god bless,melyndagamez 6/23/08 9:39p.m.central

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