Newly diagnosed with RA-could use support-

[Guest guest]

Judi, It is interesting that I lost most of my hair the year before I developed

RA. It has grown back in now with the RA being treated. I have thought the hair

loss and RA were related.

                    Take care,           Amy

From: momjudi <djrsyaeger@...>

Subject: [ ] Newly diagnosed with RA-could use support-

Date: Saturday, June 5, 2010, 2:51 PM

 

I am 53, mom of two young children, and am fairly active, but have the classic

symptoms of RA, and now, blood tests are positive. Interestingly enough, I have

alopecia (no hair), for 10 years, which is an autoimmune disease. I recently

began taking Reliv supplements and am wondering if the supplements made my

immune system overactive, and that is why the blood tests are now positive.

(Before, the Rheumatoid factor was positive, but the anti-CCP was negative.)

Judi

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Amy,

Interestingly, when I first went to a dermatologist for my hair loss, she

specifically looked at my fingernails. With all the e-mails about

fingernails, there seems to be a link of some kind.

Judi

[Guest guest]

Judy and Group.

 

I was reading your email and u mentioned hair loss. My hair is so thin I even

have a small bald spot in the back. My nails must be connected to my nail

problem.  Now I know. Going to [put that on my list of questions for the doc.

 

Clora

 

From: Judi Yaeger <djrsyaeger@...>

Subject: RE: [ ] Newly diagnosed with RA-could use support-

Date: Monday, June 7, 2010, 9:44 PM

Thanks, Amy,

Interestingly, when I first went to a dermatologist for my hair loss, she

specifically looked at my fingernails.  With all the e-mails about

fingernails, there seems to be a link of some kind.

Judi

[Guest guest]

Clora

Thanks for your support. I need a list of questions to ask my

Rheumatologist, before the end of June, so if anyone has already written a

list, please post!

I think that you are the one with a broken foot. Sorry for the long 4

months. I had feet problems two years ago, before RA was diagnosed, and had

surgery; wonder now if it was the RA and if the doctors would have treated

it differently.

Judi

[Guest guest]

Hi Judi and welcome, here are my two cents for how I handled consultations:

I like to type up a worksheet for the doc that they can use for

their report. That way they listen more and write less. I include:

Current symptoms: type, location, intensity

Current meds: type, dose, freq

Other medical problems:

Surgeries and

hospitalization:

Family history:

Your primary care

doc name and contact info

When I was in the RA

workup phase I brought copies of my labs and xray but also included a

summary on the worksheet:

CRP, ESR, AntiCCP etc

Be sure to bring your own notepad and as you're wrapping up say something

like ok, we are going to do x,yz, and you'll see me back in x weeks?

Kate F

________________________________

From: Judi Yaeger <djrsyaeger@...>

Sent: Fri, June 11, 2010 3:12:50 AM

Subject: RE: [ ] Newly diagnosed with RA-could use support-

Clora

Thanks for your support. I need a list of questions to ask my

Rheumatologist, before the end of June, so if anyone has already written a

list, please post!

I think that you are the one with a broken foot. Sorry for the long 4

months. I had feet problems two years ago, before RA was diagnosed, and had

surgery; wonder now if it was the RA and if the doctors would have treated

it differently.

Judi

[Guest guest]

 

   Judi and Group;

 

You're very welcome. We all need all the support we can get. Please let us know

how your visit with the rheumy works out. I just saw a new one last month and it

is already better than my last one...  I have had pain since I was about 24. I

am 55 now. I didn't find out I had fibro till I was about 50. 

 

I went from doctor to doctor looking to find out why I was in pain so much. I

had ex-rays, blood test you name it and I had the test. I was told it was all in

my head. I never gave up looking. I even went to college to be an RN to find out

what was wrong with me. I had to work anyway whether I was in pain or not. I

worked in factories that made me hurt so bad, I took pain pills all the time. I

took them as directed at least. I finally got a job with a doctor as a Medical

receptionist. To my horror that was hard work to lol.

 

My family didn't believe me. My husband did cause he saw how much pain I was in

from day to day.  I suffered 24 years like this. Finally I went to a doctor that

diagnosed me with  RA. I was elated. That sounds so silly but yes, I was elated.

Now I know what it was. I was sent to a RA doctor who took a lengthy history and

told me I had fibromyalgia and RA.. I said hold on spell that . He gave me a

pamphlet for it. .

 

I heard a lot of stories here. Makes mine seem unimportant. Nevertheless I know

that we live in an imperfect world. We all can make a diff if we try.

I am sure you wouldn't have had a diff treatment if they knew you had RA. Now I

am treated a whole lot diff when I have problems. Only thing is they do blame

the wrong thing anyway. I hope you feel better and get the info you want. I get

a lot from the people here

 

gentle kind hugs

Clora

.......................................................................

Clora

Thanks for your support.  I need a list of questions to ask my

Rheumatologist, before the end of June, so if anyone has already written a

list, please post!

I think that you are the one with a broken foot.  Sorry for the long 4

months.  I had feet problems two years ago, before RA was diagnosed, and had

surgery; wonder now if it was the RA and if the doctors would have treated

it differently. 

Judi