Re: Testing positive for RA

[Guest guest]

Unfortunatly, with just the diagnosis of fibro many docs won't treat.  Doctors

are great with objective results, but fail to listen to

subjective complaints.  Doctor's are great reading lab work, radiology reports

and tangible things they can see.  G-d forbid patients self report things.

For instance, I went to my rheumatologist reporting having had GI bleeding. 

Having been an ICU RN one knows what melena looks like, and for that matter,

onve you have smelled it, you will never forget it.  The doctor does a cbc, and

comes in to tell me that he is sure that I am fine and I am in fact not

bleeding.  This was cause my counts were 10 and 30.  The medical assistant tells

me that there is nothing else needed as I am fine. 

I go back home.  By the next evening I have had several more episodes as well as

vomiting.  This time, I don't call the doctor. I report to the ER.  My counts

are 7/23 and I required a blood transfusion and a scope.  I will say when my

primary came to see me the next day, he didn't apologize. He made some sort of

comment that it was good that I came in.  From then on when I complained, he

took me seriously.

It's pitiful when docs have preconceived notions of what is going on with the

patient.  Some never want to admit when they are wrong.

Anyway, the dx of UCTD makes it easier to get treatment of the symptoms.

Debra

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Deb. I will ask when I see her, which will be soon.

I really appreciate all the good comments you give to the group from your

experience and your background as an RN.

J.

>

>

> Ask your physician if he believes you may have

UCTD undifferentiated connective tissue disease?  I was dx with this  before my

RA test was positive and my rheumy tried every drug on this earth.

> Deb

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Bennie.

I agree that treating symptoms is important whether or not there is a diagnosis.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful doctor who does her best to help me manage my

pain symptoms.

It is ringing a bell, but what are osteopathic doctors and how would I find one

if I needed to?

Thanks,

J.

> > I cannot worry about the diagnosis but certainly do need the symptoms

treated as they occur. Osteopathic doctors believe in this and then work on the

diagnosis, whereas most doctors work on the diagnosis and then will treat the

symptoms and the patients suffer the symptoms.