Re: Another Newbie with a couple of questions..

[Guest guest]

 

Hi Sherry,

 

Two things happened to me before my diagnosis.  The first was that I got a

tetanus shot/booster.  Within 3 months I started having RA symptoms of

tenderness in my feet and hands.  Then, I thought I had the flu as I had a temp

of 102 for a few days and was achey all over.  Went to the doctor who tested me

for Lymes.  That came back negative.  After further testing, I was told I had

RA.  I was 35 (I'm 54 now).  It is my belief that the tetanus shot caused my

immune system to go wacky. 

 

As for hand pain, I use a cream with MSM in it.   Of all the things I've

tried, this has worked the best.  If you'd like to know which brand, email me

privately.

 

I hope you feel better soon. 

 

Blessings,

Sheryl

From: sharilee67 <stmel2718@...>

Subject: [ ] Another Newbie with a couple of questions..

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010, 2:38 AM

 

Hello all,

I love the internet! Finding support groups for this devastating illness is a

godsend for me

I'll start right off the bat with my first question- Did your RA start after a

stressful situation either physical or mental??

I think for me it started about 5 years ago when I had a significant weight

loss. After loosing 35lbs I felt really good but started having a lot of joint

pain (no hand pain at this point though) mostly knees and neck. I noticed a lump

that formed on my rt hand small finger which interfered with my ability to close

this hand. My family doc decided it should come off so I saw a plastic's guy and

he removed it for me. The tissue sample cam back as fibrotic tissue which the

plastic surgeon told me was unusual; unfortunately for me the lump came back

within 6 months. Besides the vague joint pain for the past 5 years I also

started having problems with high BP/heart rate, which I now take a beta blocker

for.

Two years ago I started having bad neck pain and found out I had two herniated

disks. I could not work for 10 months but posted into another job with less

hours and was much less physical (but mentally stressful). For some reason

shortly after I started this new job in Jan 09 I started getting very painful

hands - an aching that would last for days. My doc tested me for RA at that time

and it was negative. Over time my hands got stiffer and stiffer until I was

having trouble just tying my shoes or doing up buttons. During this time I

formed more rheumatoid nodules on my fingers (I now have 5) and had swollen

glands for about 6 months. Now I can't close my hands at all and they are

painful all the time. In July 2009 I started seeing a Rheumatologist and he

suspected a sero-negative RA, and I was diagnosed as such in March of this year.

At this time I am only taking Paquinil which has helped about 50% or so. Just

recently I started having foot pain on both

my feet. The funny thing is (my hand pain is symmetrical) , that my foot pain

is in the identical spot as most of the pain in my hands (between my 4th and 5th

fingers on both hands as well as between my 4th and 5th toes on both feet. Is

this weird? Do any of you have the same thing?

I am terrified that I won't be able to work in the future, I am lucky though as

I have a very supportive husband.

I also hate taking anti-inflammatories as they bother my stomach. Does anyone

have any other suggestions for soothing hand pain? (I sometimes use warm water

and I have a hand wax that I use occasionally)

Sorry for the long winded writing, I felt like I needed to get that off my

chest.

Hopefully in the future I can provide support for others in the same situation!

Sherry

Age 42

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry.  The 4 years before I was daignosed with R.A., I was sick

continually, back to back.  My PCP was going crazy trying to find out what was

wrong with me.  He ran every test known to man.  He always said, " Barbara, you

are keeping me awake each night as I want to know why you are so sick all the

time " .  I kept getting pneumonia, then asthma, then Bronchitis, sore throats,

laryngitis, my lymph nodes in many places were so swollen and painful.  He

really thought I had Lyme Disease.  I was so discouraged and depressed because

I so sick all the time.  Then one day I woke up, I could not bend my hands or

fingers, I was swollen all over, and my whole body was riddled with pain.  By

the end of the day, I could not dress myself, feed myself, hold a glass or use

the toilet by myself.  I went to bed and could not get up without help. I could

bearly walk it was so painful.  The next day I was worse, so I called my PCP

and got an appt. the next

day.  My husband had to dress me etc.  It was Dec. freezing cold, and very

icey and snowy.  I was trying to use my crutches, but my hands were so bad, I

could hardly manage with them.  I really thought I had a brain tumor, and was

not long for this world.  When my Dr. saw me, he  was shocked to see the state

I was in.  He said, OMG, I finally know what is wrong with you.  I said to

myself, OMG, here it comes.......then he said I think you have R.A.  I did not

know what it was.  He called a Rheumy who would see me right away.  Thank God

for that.  I went righ to her office, and she ran some tests on me, along with

blood work.  She did draw some fluid from my knee to see if I had gout.  I did

not know you could have Gout anywhere in your body.  I thought it was just

feet.  The fluid checked out fine and she said I had RA, which was later

confirmed by the blood test.  She gave my shots of Prednisone, also an RX for

it and MTX and

Prednisone.  That is when this ugly disease reared its ugly head.  That was 6

+ years ago.  My feet, ankles, hands, fingers, and hips were affected.  But

the very worst is my feet and ankles.

 

I looked it up on the internet, but got so terrified I never looked it up

again.  I have found my " cocktail " of meds. that have given me my life back. 

I have just gone  1 1/2 years without a flare until 2 weeks ago.  I have been

having too much stress which I can not handle.  I am sure that is what set my

flare off.  My feet and ankles hurt so bad I can hardly stand on them, let

alone walk.

 

I so hope your Rheumy will get you on the RA meds. very soon, so they can begin

to work, and stop this disease from doing any damage.  I also hope your Dr.

gives you some RX pain meds.

I have several kinds so when I am hurting, I have some here to get me out of

that awful pain.  Prednisone has been my miracle drug. I have been on it daily

since day one.  I could not get out of bed or function without it.  I have had

no problem taking it.  It has given me my life back.  Everyone of us is

different.  We all search for the best meds. to stop the flares, and make our

pain go away.  Pain is so wearing, and it is just awful to suffer 24/7 with

it.  I love my Rheumy, and she is so smart and caring.  She takes wonderful

care of me.  I hope your Rheumy is great and really listens to you.  I also

hope your Rheumy has no issues about subscribing RX pain meds.  If so, I would

search until you found the best Rheumy for you, who will address all your needs.

 

Welcome to our wonderful group.  You will see how truly great everyone is. 

Wishing you many pain free days ahead.  Take care and rest as much as you

can.  When my feet or hands are hurting bad, I wrap my heating pad around them

and cover it with a towel.  It is very soothing.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: sharilee67 <stmel2718@...>

Subject: [ ] Another Newbie with a couple of questions..

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010, 3:38 AM

 

Hello all,

I love the internet! Finding support groups for this devastating illness is a

godsend for me

I'll start right off the bat with my first question- Did your RA start after a

stressful situation either physical or mental??

I think for me it started about 5 years ago when I had a significant weight

loss. After loosing 35lbs I felt really good but started having a lot of joint

pain (no hand pain at this point though) mostly knees and neck. I noticed a lump

that formed on my rt hand small finger which interfered with my ability to close

this hand. My family doc decided it should come off so I saw a plastic's guy and

he removed it for me. The tissue sample cam back as fibrotic tissue which the

plastic surgeon told me was unusual; unfortunately for me the lump came back

within 6 months. Besides the vague joint pain for the past 5 years I also

started having problems with high BP/heart rate, which I now take a beta blocker

for.

Two years ago I started having bad neck pain and found out I had two herniated

disks. I could not work for 10 months but posted into another job with less

hours and was much less physical (but mentally stressful). For some reason

shortly after I started this new job in Jan 09 I started getting very painful

hands - an aching that would last for days. My doc tested me for RA at that time

and it was negative. Over time my hands got stiffer and stiffer until I was

having trouble just tying my shoes or doing up buttons. During this time I

formed more rheumatoid nodules on my fingers (I now have 5) and had swollen

glands for about 6 months. Now I can't close my hands at all and they are

painful all the time. In July 2009 I started seeing a Rheumatologist and he

suspected a sero-negative RA, and I was diagnosed as such in March of this year.

At this time I am only taking Paquinil which has helped about 50% or so. Just

recently I started having foot pain on both

my feet. The funny thing is (my hand pain is symmetrical) , that my foot pain

is in the identical spot as most of the pain in my hands (between my 4th and 5th

fingers on both hands as well as between my 4th and 5th toes on both feet. Is

this weird? Do any of you have the same thing?

I am terrified that I won't be able to work in the future, I am lucky though as

I have a very supportive husband.

I also hate taking anti-inflammatories as they bother my stomach. Does anyone

have any other suggestions for soothing hand pain? (I sometimes use warm water

and I have a hand wax that I use occasionally)

Sorry for the long winded writing, I felt like I needed to get that off my

chest.

Hopefully in the future I can provide support for others in the same situation!

Sherry

Age 42