How my first visit to the rheumatologist went

May 7, 2010

Well, I had my first doctor's appointment today. The doctor seems nice, and he

confirmed the diagnosis that my gp made- it's official, I have RA. Today is my

birthday, and let me tell you, it was not the best birthday present I could have

gotten. At least my mom, who came in with me and heard what he said, can no

longer say that there is nothing wrong with me and the pain is in my head.

According to my blood tests, I have RA and the disease is " very active. " I have

been in excruciating pain so I can attest to that.

The doctor put me on leflunomide- generic for Arava, and Plaquenil. It is weird

because no one in my family has RA. My mom asked the dr if the fact that I have

been on so many medications in the past could have caused this. (I have been on

every antidepressent and mood stabilizer under the sun since I was 16) he said

it was an " interesting question. " So who knows if something I took caused this?

But as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter. I have it now. There is no point

in blaming former doctors or whatever, the point is to move forward.

For the pain, he put me on Predisone (10 mg daily the first week, 5 the

second)and said I would have relief within 24 hours. I took it about three hours

ago and I think I'm already experiencing some relief- I was able to eat dinner

without too much pain, whereas for the past few days I ate nothing at all or

very little because it hurt too much to use a fork and knife! It was the worst

pain I can imagine, now its a bit better.

I am worried about the Prdisone, because its a weight gainer and I am already

100 pounds overweight (courtesy of the Lithium I was on for six years) and had

just lost about 15 pounds, and I'm hoping I do not gain it all back in the next

two weeks. Also, the last time I was on a steroid medication my bipolar went

nuts. I had a major manic episode and then a suicidal depression. I am hoping

that it doesnt' get as bad this time, but I'll try to keep in mind that its only

the medication if things do get dicey.

Does anyone have any information about the drugs I am on?

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