First Appointmant with Rheumatologist

[Guest guest]

My appointment was set for Sept. 1st but due to the pain I am in its been set

earlier because my primary physician pushed for it and I am so happy about this

but scared as well. my new appointment is Aug 3 8am!

I have not talked too much since I joined this group and really I need to. I

have noticed that since being diagnosed with RA talking about it has come very

very hard for me! I am not sure why. I have had many times I've needed to open

up about this awful pain and how much it has changed my life and how devastating

it has been.

I was diagnosed when I lived in Iowa. I have recently moved to SC (about a month

or so ago) to be near family and to have their support at this trying time. Its

been a couple months since I have been diagnosed. From the onset it has been..

can I say... TRAUMATIC! I am just shocked at how it is affecting my body and the

pain level when it decides to attack! It is unbelievable what we have to deal

with!

I am one who has always enjoyed keeping a journal but for the life of me I just

cannot keep one yet about these feelings and symptoms of RA! There is almost no

words to describe the daily ups and downs of living with RA. Anyone else have

trouble talking about this?

I've had years of therapy for PTSD and learned how to express my

feelings...etc...But when it comes to this autoimmune disease I have not been

able to do so.

Anyways...Hope everyone has a nice weekend..

Donna W.

(South Carolina)

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna.  I can so relate to everything you are saying and feeling.  RA hit

me like a ton of bricks 6 years ago.  It came on hard and fast.  I did not

know what it was and knew nothing about it.  I looked it up on line, read a few

lines and got off my computer.  I was so damned scared,  I have never looked

it up again.

 

The greatest thing you have done for yourself is to join our wonderful group of

caring, loving and so very informative members.  Only people who have RA, truly

know it is a ugly beast which raises its ugly self  to us, and a life of pain

and suffering.  It was very, very hard for me in the beginning to face what I

had for the rest of my life.  I was very sick for several years, back to back

illnesses, Pneumonia, Strep Throats, Bronchitis, Anemia, etc.  I was so sick

all the time and my PCD was going crazy trying to find out what was wrong with

me.  He tested me for every disease known to mankind, and nothing showed up. 

I felt so embarrased to tell anyone I was sick all the time.  My life was going

down the toilet and I did not know why.  I knew something was very wrong.  One

day I woke up swollen all over, horrible pain and could not get out of bed

without help.  For the next five days, I went from a totally functioning active

woman, to being

bedridden, could not dress myself, feed myself, walk, or use the bathroom

without help.  I made an appt. with my DR. and saw him the next day.  My hand

were so swollen and went into a claw like postition, incredible pain.  I tried

to use my crutches, which was horrible because of the painful hands, and the

awful pain I was in.  I was sobbing so hard and could not stop.  I was afraid

I would frighten the patients in his waiting room.  When my Dr. saw me he was

so shocked.  He immediately said to me, Now I know what is wrong with you, it

all makes sense now.  I truly thought I had a Brain Tumor and was dying very

soon.  That is when he said, You have RA!  What is that I said?  He told me,

drew some blood and called a Rheumy who said she would see me right away.  I

saw her within 10 min. of leaving his office.  She drew some fluid from my knee

to test it to see if I had

Gout.  I did not know you can get Gout anywhere not just your toes.  She also

drew some blood, gave me to Steriod shots, a shot of MTX and a RX for major

doses of Pred.  I was to see her in 5 days, which I did.  She felt from day

one I had RA and the blood work confirmed it.  Now I had to feel better soon

and learn how to deal with this ugly beast of a disease.

 

I also had RX for strong pain meds.  I was in agony with pain, stiffness, and

swollen everywhere. My entire body was one big pain!!  The pain was making me

crazy....I was also bedridden, and could bearly stand on my feet.  My feet,

ankles, hands, fingers, wrists were hit the hardest. I thougth my life was truly

over.  I could not go anywhere with my friends and family.  I could hardly get

out of bed or walk, and my pain level was over the moon.  I felt so guilty

because I had to say no to everything.  Everyone one would say to me, " You

look so wonderful, you are so beautiful, you can't feel that bad.   Hello, I

was in agony!!!  I have found out since joining here, that the only people who

really know all bout RA, the pain and suffering it causes, is all of our members

here.

This group has been my salvation.  Here you can be yourself, cry, rage, vent,

have a pity party, whatever.  EVERYONE here has done that and been there. 

They support us, love us, share our pain, know what we have to deal with 24/7.

 

I think Donna once all this sinks in, you will be able to talk here, express

yourself and your fears and hurts.  This group has made such a great

improvement in my life.  I love them all dearly, and am proud to be a member

here.

 

I want you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I finally found

the right combination of RA meds., and I have been in a total drug induced

remission for over 1  1/2 years now.  That means no pain, no flares, etc. 

How long this lasts I do not know, but I very grateful for it.

 

I hope you love your Rheumy, and glad you got your appt.moved up.  Your Dr.

knows the importance of seeing your Rheumy very soon, and starting on the RX

meds.  I am wishing you better days ahead, and many days without pain.  We are

all here for you.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: mischievouskitten <mischievouskitten@...>

Subject: [ ] First Appointmant with Rheumatologist

Date: Friday, July 23, 2010, 11:52 AM

 

My appointment was set for Sept. 1st but due to the pain I am in its been set

earlier because my primary physician pushed for it and I am so happy about this

but scared as well. my new appointment is Aug 3 8am!

I have not talked too much since I joined this group and really I need to. I

have noticed that since being diagnosed with RA talking about it has come very

very hard for me! I am not sure why. I have had many times I've needed to open

up about this awful pain and how much it has changed my life and how devastating

it has been.

I was diagnosed when I lived in Iowa. I have recently moved to SC (about a month

or so ago) to be near family and to have their support at this trying time. Its

been a couple months since I have been diagnosed. From the onset it has been..

can I say... TRAUMATIC! I am just shocked at how it is affecting my body and the

pain level when it decides to attack! It is unbelievable what we have to deal

with!

I am one who has always enjoyed keeping a journal but for the life of me I just

cannot keep one yet about these feelings and symptoms of RA! There is almost no

words to describe the daily ups and downs of living with RA. Anyone else have

trouble talking about this?

I've had years of therapy for PTSD and learned how to express my

feelings...etc...But when it comes to this autoimmune disease I have not been

able to do so.

Anyways...Hope everyone has a nice weekend..

Donna W.

(South Carolina)