Re: Could this be RA? What else could it be?

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

I have Mixed connective tissue disease and my onset was quick as

well. Basically went from being normal to having a hard time getting

off the couch and then out of bed. Could hardly walk or use my

hands. Found out I have overlap symptoms of Lupus and RA. I would

get to a rheumatologist as soon as you can get in and have them run

all the blood tests and go from there. They are the best docs for

this stuff.

I wish you the best and keep us posted on what you learn. In the

mean time this is a great supportive group and we all can relate to

what pain feels like.

>

> I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree

on what's wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48

year-old white male, and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when

severe pain struck my left hand. In just a minute or two, the pain

increased to the point that I could not even hold up a small towel.

Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after doctor) a number

of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind of

pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and

calves ache a lot.

>

> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it

for family history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my

cousins has lupus, so this is also a possibility.

>

> I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally

found some decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day

stint in the hospital because of an overdose on my oxycodone

medication), and now I have THIS pain to deal with. Thank goodness

I'm generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic person; otherwise

I'd have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support from my

family, but they can only do so much.

>

> I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going

on, as well as how to treat it.

>

> Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve

pain meds, I'm a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been

blessed a few years ago with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is

being managed solely by diet.

>

> If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever

disorder fits the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including

diagnosis and treatment. Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

>

> Jeff

>

[Guest guest]

Phil, when my RA first started, it jumped around from joint to joint.

But RA is in the joints, not the muscles. If there is any autoimmune

disease in your family, then you are susceptible to getting one, but it

doesn't necessarily have to be the same one. In my family, it's only an

aunt and a cousin and me with RA.

I also have type 2 diabetes, but I also use medication to help control

mine.

Are you seeing a rheumatologist? They are the ones best equipped to

diagnose autoimmune diseases, and even they sometimes have a hard time

because the symptoms overlap. I would suggest that you go to one if

you're not already.

Sue

On Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 04:07 AM, jverive wrote:

>

> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it for

> family history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my

> cousins has lupus, so this is also a possibility.

[Guest guest]

Jeff, I think I addressed you as Phil for some strange reason. Sorry.

Sue

>

>> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it

> for family history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my

> cousins has lupus, so this is also a possibility.

[Guest guest]

Hello Jeff,

Greetings

 First  Please notice the disclaimer at the foot of the postings.... (I am a

recently  RETIRED doc in Uk and certainly NOT giving medical advice), have

joined here in this wonderful group as my good friend , no computer, struggles

with an aggressive form of RA, I also have sister with lupus....

But do hope my thoughts might help, I receive your present natural feelings of

frustration strongly;sadly too often the case when the early stages of a

mysterious condition hits out of the blue and especially

when the individual  symptoms just 'do not neatly fit' a typical medical

diagnosis...leaving one feeling isolated.

(Now with grey hairs), I have always  felt humbled and privileged  to listen

to, and VALUE what the unique individual  suffering says and' hear the

clues' and puzzle over it... Even though there are wonderful techno and drug

advances, tests etc now in modern medicine, this still has to be true: all

doctors should firstly listen, honour  and learn from the patient's

story...There are such hugely valuable clues/ answers there...

Well, just a few thoughts ....

Some of your pains sound rather 'neuropathic' to me and areas I would check

out would be : Painful Neuropathy?? can be seen connected with diabetes, immune

processes like RA, lupus and others,

Also ( because you mention occipital problems ), there are some conditions

where diseases in the area where skull and neck meet  can anatomically cause

nerve problems in the limbs below sudden pains, weakness.... Special tests would

check this out..

Best wishes

Chris 

[ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on what's

wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48 year-old white male,

and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when severe pain struck my left hand.

In just a minute or two, the pain increased to the point that I could not even

hold up a small towel. Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after

doctor) a number of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind

of pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and calves

ache a lot.

Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it for family

history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my cousins has lupus, so

this is also a possibility.

I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally found some

decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day stint in the hospital

because of an overdose on my oxycodone medication), and now I have THIS pain to

deal with. Thank goodness I'm generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic

person; otherwise I'd have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support

from my family, but they can only do so much.

I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going on, as well as

how to treat it.

Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain meds, I'm a

svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been blessed a few years ago with

type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is being managed solely by diet.

If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever disorder fits

the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

Jeff

__________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

I'd suggest getting a referral to a rheumatologist who will examine

you, take your medical history/symptoms, and probably order lab tests

to help diagnose you.

>

> I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on

what's wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48

year-old white male, and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when

severe pain struck my left hand. In just a minute or two, the pain

increased to the point that I could not even hold up a small towel.

Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after doctor) a number

of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind of

pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and

calves ache a lot.

>

> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it

for family history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my

cousins has lupus, so this is also a possibility.

>

> I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally

found some decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day

stint in the hospital because of an overdose on my oxycodone

medication), and now I have THIS pain to deal with. Thank goodness I'm

generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic person; otherwise I'd

have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support from my

family, but they can only do so much.

>

> I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going

on, as well as how to treat it.

>

> Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain

meds, I'm a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been

blessed a few years ago with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is

being managed solely by diet.

>

> If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever

disorder fits the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including

diagnosis and treatment. Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

>

> Jeff

>

[Guest guest]

will you come out of retirement and move to the US? I could use

an empathetic dr!

:-)

>

> Hello Jeff,

> Greetings

>  First  Please notice the disclaimer at the foot of the

postings.... (I am a recently  RETIRED doc in Uk and certainly NOT

giving medical advice), have joined here in this wonderful group as my

good friend , no computer, struggles with an aggressive form of RA, I

also have sister with lupus....

> But do hope my thoughts might help, I receive your present natural

feelings of frustration strongly;sadly too often the case when the

early stages of a mysterious condition hits out of the

blue and especially when the individual  symptoms just 'do not

neatly fit' a typical medical diagnosis...leaving one feeling isolated.

> (Now with grey hairs), I have always  felt humbled and

privileged  to listen to, and VALUE what the unique individual

 suffering says and' hear the clues' and puzzle over it... Even

though there are wonderful techno and drug advances, tests etc now in

modern medicine, this still has to be true: all doctors

should firstly listen, honour  and learn from the patient's

story...There are such hugely valuable clues/ answers there...

> Well, just a few thoughts ....

> Some of your pains sound rather 'neuropathic' to me and areas I

would check out would be : Painful Neuropathy?? can be seen connected

with diabetes, immune processes like RA, lupus and others,

> Also ( because you mention occipital problems ), there are some

conditions where diseases in the area where skull and neck meet  can

anatomically cause nerve problems in the limbs below sudden pains,

weakness.... Special tests would check this out..

> Best wishes

> Chris 

>

>

>

> [ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

>

>

> I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on

what's wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48

year-old white male, and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when

severe pain struck my left hand. In just a minute or two, the pain

increased to the point that I could not even hold up a small towel.

Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after doctor) a number

of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind of

pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and

calves ache a lot.

>

> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it

for family history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my

cousins has lupus, so this is also a possibility.

>

> I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally

found some decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day

stint in the hospital because of an overdose on my oxycodone

medication), and now I have THIS pain to deal with. Thank goodness I'm

generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic person; otherwise I'd

have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support from my

family, but they can only do so much.

>

> I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going

on, as well as how to treat it.

>

> Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain

meds, I'm a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been

blessed a few years ago with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is

being managed solely by diet.

>

> If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever

disorder fits the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including

diagnosis and treatment. Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

>

> Jeff

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Not happy with your email address?.

> Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses

available now at http://uk.docs./ymail/new.html

>

>

[Guest guest]

Many, many thanks to you (and everybody else) for your replies.

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in two weeks, but I do not feel

prepared for the visit. What kind of tests should I expect, and what should I

expect as to the doctor's sense of urgency? I keep reading that best results are

obtained through aggressive treatment early on - does this mean within the first

6 to 12 months of onset, the first 1 to 2 years after the diagnosis, or

something else? I am currently being treated for a peripheral neuralgia that

started 30 years ago, and it took some 15+ years to get to a definite diagnosis.

I'm hoping for the diagnosis this time to come along a bit more rapidly!

What questions should I ask, and what questions should I expect from the doctor?

For that matter, what kind of physical exam should I expect? By the way, my

neurologists and pain doctors have basically ruled out neuralgia or neuropathic

causes for this new disorder, but I'm afraid that my rheumy will key onto the

neuralgia (a red herring, I believe). The result will be months wasted on the

diagnosis.

Just when I thought my 30+ year battle with chronic pain had reached a tolerable

conclusion, and now this! I know that God isn't supposed to give us a greater

load than we can bear, but can't he burden me with excess wealth, or something

involving less physical pain? All of my siblings enjoy very good health, and I

don't wish any of this cr@p on them, but yeesh! Enough is enough!!

Thanks for your help, and for letting me rant and rave.

Jeff

With my nerve pain, although the initial trauma remains a mystery, I was able to

do a lot of research on pain and on the various meds. In fact, I found myself

being more knowledgeable about certain meds than any of my doctors. In that

regard, I was able to stay " on top " of my treatment, and was even able to direct

my doctor's decisions on what drugs to try. Mind you, this doctor believes that

the patient ought to be an informed member of the " team " . I don't feel anywhere

near as optimistic regarding the RA (or whatever it is that I have).

>

> Hello Jeff,

> Greetings

>  First  Please notice the disclaimer at the foot of the postings.... (I am a

recently  RETIRED doc in Uk and certainly NOT giving medical advice), have

joined here in this wonderful group as my good friend , no computer, struggles

with an aggressive form of RA, I also have sister with lupus....

> But do hope my thoughts might help, I receive your present natural feelings

of frustration strongly;sadly too often the case when the early stages of a

mysterious condition hits out of the blue and especially

when the individual  symptoms just 'do not neatly fit' a typical medical

diagnosis...leaving one feeling isolated.

> (Now with grey hairs), I have always  felt humbled and privileged  to

listen to, and VALUE what the unique individual  suffering says and' hear

the clues' and puzzle over it... Even though there are wonderful techno and drug

advances, tests etc now in modern medicine, this still has to be true: all

doctors should firstly listen, honour  and learn from the patient's

story...There are such hugely valuable clues/ answers there...

> Well, just a few thoughts ....

> Some of your pains sound rather 'neuropathic' to me and areas I would check

out would be : Painful Neuropathy?? can be seen connected with diabetes, immune

processes like RA, lupus and others,

> Also ( because you mention occipital problems ), there are some conditions

where diseases in the area where skull and neck meet  can anatomically cause

nerve problems in the limbs below sudden pains, weakness.... Special tests would

check this out..

> Best wishes

> Chris 

>

>

>

> [ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

>

>

> I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on what's

wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48 year-old white male,

and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when severe pain struck my left hand.

In just a minute or two, the pain increased to the point that I could not even

hold up a small towel. Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after

doctor) a number of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind

of pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and calves

ache a lot.

>

> Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it for family

history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my cousins has lupus, so

this is also a possibility.

>

> I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally found some

decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day stint in the hospital

because of an overdose on my oxycodone medication), and now I have THIS pain to

deal with. Thank goodness I'm generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic

person; otherwise I'd have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support

from my family, but they can only do so much.

>

> I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going on, as well

as how to treat it.

>

> Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain meds, I'm

a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been blessed a few years ago

with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is being managed solely by diet.

>

> If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever disorder fits

the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

>

> Jeff

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Not happy with your email address?.

> Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at

http://uk.docs./ymail/new.html

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

The rheumatologist will no doubt order a lot of blood tests to see what

that tells him about you. He should also do a complete physical exam,

checking all of your joints and range of motion in them, and probably a

couple of strength tests, such as pushing on his hand or squeezing

something.

But don't be in a hurry because sometimes it takes a while to get a

firm diagnosis. Some of these autoimmune diseases have overlapping

symptoms, and sometimes the blood tests can be negative even though you

do have RA. I've read that joint damage from RA can occur within the

first year, so you should ask him how aggressive he is in treating

autoimmune diseases. Remember that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the

grease.

My rheumy gave me a wrong diagnosis at first, but when I kept calling

and complaining about my pain, he soon realized his mistake.

Sue

On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at 12:36 PM, jverive wrote:

>

> I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in two weeks, but I do not

> feel prepared for the visit. What kind of tests should I expect, and

> what should I expect as to the doctor's sense of urgency? I keep

> reading that best results are obtained through aggressive treatment

> early on - does this mean within the first 6 to 12 months of onset,

> the first 1 to 2 years after the diagnosis, or something else? I am

> currently being treated for a peripheral neuralgia that started 30

> years ago, and it took some 15+ years to get to a definite diagnosis.

> I'm hoping for the diagnosis this time to come along a bit more

> rapidly!

[Guest guest]

Hey Jeff (my husband's name is Jeff),

I'm sorry my reply is a month late, I'm a " little " behind.

I'm wondering if you ever got diagnosed yet. I have the same symptoms as you and

I'm still waiting for my first rheumy appt. at the end of September. The pain in

my hands and wrists is so severe, my hands actually " lock up " in pain. I also

have pain in my upper arms and calves along with the joint pains. I am also

experiencing sharp " pinching " on the skin of my feet and lower legs, like flies

biting hard just before it rains. Sometimes it feels like my feet and legs are

" burned " or like a heater is blowing on them. I actually got up and checked the

temperature of the air coming out of the register the other evening. I had the

air conditioner on, but it felt like I had hot air blowing on my legs. Sure

enough, it was cold air coming out, but that's not how it felt on my legs. I'm

wondering what these symptoms are from. The joint pain is much more severe than

all of this, however.

My PCP started asking me about a year ago if there was any Lupus in my family.

He would ask me this each time he reviewed my blood tests. At that point, I

wasn't having any symptoms and I didn't think much about it. There is no Lupus

in my family, but there are a couple family members (not immediate family) with

RA and fibro.

[ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on what's

wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48 year-old white male,

and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when severe pain struck my left hand.

In just a minute or two, the pain increased to the point that I could not even

hold up a small towel. Over the past four months (while seeing doctor after

doctor) a number of joints in both hands and feet are experiencing the same kind

of pain, though not all as severe, and even muscles in my forearms and calves

ache a lot.

Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it for family

history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my cousins has lupus, so

this is also a possibility.

I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally found some

decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day stint in the hospital

because of an overdose on my oxycodone medication), and now I have THIS pain to

deal with. Thank goodness I'm generally an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic

person; otherwise I'd have blown my brains out years ago. I get great support

from my family, but they can only do so much.

I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going on, as well

as how to treat it.

Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain meds, I'm

a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been blessed a few years ago

with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is being managed solely by diet.

If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever disorder fits

the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

Jeff

[Guest guest]

, I'm not familiar with lupus, but burning and sharp " pinching " could

be from neuropathy. I have it in one leg and have similar symptoms among

others.

Just a thought.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of gonetoday

Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 5:56 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

Hey Jeff (my husband's name is Jeff),

I'm sorry my reply is a month late, I'm a " little " behind.

I'm wondering if you ever got diagnosed yet. I have the same symptoms as you

and I'm still waiting for my first rheumy appt. at the end of September. The

pain in my hands and wrists is so severe, my hands actually " lock up " in

pain. I also have pain in my upper arms and calves along with the joint

pains. I am also experiencing sharp " pinching " on the skin of my feet and

lower legs, like flies biting hard just before it rains. Sometimes it feels

like my feet and legs are " burned " or like a heater is blowing on them. I

actually got up and checked the temperature of the air coming out of the

register the other evening. I had the air conditioner on, but it felt like I

had hot air blowing on my legs. Sure enough, it was cold air coming out, but

that's not how it felt on my legs. I'm wondering what these symptoms are

from. The joint pain is much more severe than all of this, however.

My PCP started asking me about a year ago if there was any Lupus in my

family. He would ask me this each time he reviewed my blood tests. At that

point, I wasn't having any symptoms and I didn't think much about it. There

is no Lupus in my family, but there are a couple family members (not

immediate family) with RA and fibro.

[ ] Could this be RA? What else could it be?

I'm hoping somebody here can help, because my doctors can't agree on what's

wrong with me [or what treatment(s) to pursue]. I'm a 48 year-old white

male, and about 4 months ago was folding laundry when severe pain struck my

left hand. In just a minute or two, the pain increased to the point that I

could not even hold up a small towel. Over the past four months (while

seeing doctor after doctor) a number of joints in both hands and feet are

experiencing the same kind of pain, though not all as severe, and even

muscles in my forearms and calves ache a lot.

Does this sound like RA? My father's mother had RA, but that's it for family

history of any significant arthritis syndromes. One of my cousins has lupus,

so this is also a possibility.

I'm very frustrated at this point! Over the past year I've finally found

some decent relief for occipital nerve pain (after a 10-day stint in the

hospital because of an overdose on my oxycodone medication), and now I have

THIS pain to deal with. Thank goodness I'm generally an upbeat, easygoing,

and optimistic person; otherwise I'd have blown my brains out years ago. I

get great support from my family, but they can only do so much.

I'm getting desperate for help. I need to figure out what's going on, as

well as how to treat it.

Oops, I almost forgot to add that because of my occipital nerve pain meds,

I'm a svelte 250 pounds (6 feet tall), and I've also been blessed a few

years ago with type 2 diabetes, but luckily this is being managed solely by

diet.

If anyone has experienced a similar pattern with RA (or whatever disorder

fits the bill), I'd love to hear your story, including diagnosis and

treatment. Thanks SO MUCH for anyone's help!!

Jeff