Guest guest Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 Hello! I just recently joined this group (and a few others like it) because I believe I have RA. I have not been officially diagnosed but after a recent blood test, my doctor sent me a letter letting me know that my RA is elevated and if my pain and stiffness persists, I might have RA. He gave me a website to check out and my symptoms are consistent with RA. So.....now what?! I'm scared and I'm already imagining a hellish future for my family and myself. If I'm this uncomfortable now at the age of 37 what's it going to be like in 5 or 10 years?! *Ut oh, I'm whining. Sorry about that. ; ) I've had achy bones for probably about two years. Arthritis seems to run in my family so I just dealt with it. BUT, a few weeks ago during a chilly and rainy camping trip I kept waking with such pain that I was sure someone had sneaked in and beat the heck out of me! Thats when I crawled to the doctor's office looking for an explaination. So, I've been trying Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Naproxen as advised by the doc but I still hurt, darn it! I just don't know what to do now. Do I wait for a call from my primary physician? Do I make the next move? What should the next move be? Ahh, so many question! Well thanks so much for listening. After reading the archives I see this group is caring and supportive- I'm glad to have found it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi , Where do you live ? I have had RA for about 18 years or so now. It does mean you eventually have to make changes in your lifestyle, but not always drastic ones. The best thing to do is get as much information as you can, and , most importantly, learn to listen to your body, it will let you know what it can and can't do. However, not having a definite diagnosis means you are probably not getting the best treatment, there are a number of things you need to think about. Firstly, have you seen a rheumatologist, if not, you need to ask your doctor to refer you to one as they have great experience in diagnosis and treatment. If it is RA you may need aggressive treatment to slow it and stop any possible joint damage. Secondly, keep a diary of how you feel day to day, make notes on foods that affect you of if stress or hormones ( I flare at period time) are a factor. My main trigger foods are caffeine, sugar and I am beginning to suspect gluten and wheat too. Lastly, let your family and friends be involved from the start, if they have the info you have, they will understand more and be better able to offer you support and encouragement. I hope this helps a little, if you want to chat or just get things off your chest you can mail me anytime , my addy is lynne@... Take Care, Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I would not call it a hellish future. You are just forced to adjust to different circumstances than you ever envisioned. I ended up in a less physical job but a lot more enjoyable. That's a plus but I won't deny the minuses. The first and most obvious treatment for RA is anti-inflammatories. It is not an agressive treatment but used to be the standard. Of all the anti inflammatories there are, plain aspirin is the cheapest and so common it does not worry most people to take it. So here's a suggestion while you are waiting to see the doctor (and this is what my first GP told me to do while he was trying to make a diagnosis). He said take as many aspirin per day as you can (for me it was 9 in 3 equal doses - at 10 my ears ring) This helps with the pain and the inflammation. But take coated aspirin - it is easier on the stomach and that is something you need to consider strongly. It takes weeks for it to build up enough to notice but at least it is a start. All those other pain killers you are taking only work on the symptoms (the pain) not the inflammation. Annette --- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " monique " <moneekw@y...> wrote: > Hello! > I just recently joined this group (and a few others like it) because > I believe I have RA. I have not been officially diagnosed but after a > recent blood test, my doctor sent me a letter letting me know that my > RA is elevated and if my pain and stiffness persists, I might have > RA. He gave me a website to check out and my symptoms are consistent > with RA. > So.....now what?! > I'm scared and I'm already imagining a hellish future for my family > and myself. If I'm this uncomfortable now at the age of 37 what's it > going to be like in 5 or 10 years?! *Ut oh, I'm whining. Sorry about > that. ; ) > > I've had achy bones for probably about two years. Arthritis seems to > run in my family so I just dealt with it. BUT, a few weeks ago during > a chilly and rainy camping trip I kept waking with such pain that I > was sure someone had sneaked in and beat the heck out of me! Thats > when I crawled to the doctor's office looking for an explaination. > > So, I've been trying Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Naproxen as > advised by the doc but I still hurt, darn it! I just don't know what > to do now. > Do I wait for a call from my primary physician? Do I make the next > move? What should the next move be? > Ahh, so many question! > Well thanks so much for listening. After reading the archives I see > this group is caring and supportive- I'm glad to have found it! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 , I am also fairly new to the group but have found there to be a wealth of information here and support. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and found one thing that really made a difference was my attitude. My grandmother had RA and was severly deformed, that was my biggest fear after my diagnoses! But the doctors all assured me that with today's medication that was not the future I had. Keeping things in perspective really helps - yes RA is horrid at times and can be inconveinent but we don't have cancer. When I am feeling sorry for myself I try to remind myself there are a lot worse things that can happen. I don't know if it helps or not but I also try to not think of myself as having a problem - I try to adjust. I had to give up running so now I am trying yoga and pilates. I switched to de-caf coffee (which I'm really not allowed due to a stomach condition - but a person needs their treats!) I'm not trying to belittle our condition - cause we all know it is a pain (ha, ha, no pun intended) The best way to confront your fears is to get information. Join the arthritis society if you get a confirmed diagnoses, keep active here, read, that sort of thing. Most of all just breathe...butterflies in - beast out! lol ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.726 / Virus Database: 481 - Release Date: 22/07/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hi , and welcome to the group. My RA came on suddenly along with flu that developed into pneumonia. I was bedridden and not much caring wheter I got better or died. They started me off with 40 mg Prednisone daily as a strong anti-inflammatory so that I could function, and then tried drugs to fight the RA. First was Arava that did not help, and after a few months this was replaced with Methotrexate. That also didn't work by itself so Remicade was added. That didn't seem to help at 3 or 5 mg/kg but when we went up to 6 mg/kg it started to have a good effect. It took about a year and an half to find the right combination of medicines and the right doses but now I am off Prednisone and can do prety much whatever I want. That's a far cry from my original conditon of barely being able to feed myself and needing help in walking to the bathroom. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an approaching train. You should be seeing a rheumatologist and sometimes because of insurance or doctor's policies you need a referral. You should get an appointment with a rheumatologist either on your own or through your regular doctor. Also if you have difficulty functioning you might ask for a prescription for Prednisone. Most of us have a love/hate relationship with Prednisone because we love what it does for us but hate what it does to us. If we need it to function, we love it but if we try to get off it as soon as we reasonably can. God bless and keep us posted. ----- Original Message ----- From: monique Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:02 AM Subject: new to group (kinda long) Hello!I just recently joined this group (and a few others like it) because I believe I have RA. I have not been officially diagnosed but after a recent blood test, my doctor sent me a letter letting me know that my RA is elevated and if my pain and stiffness persists, I might have RA. He gave me a website to check out and my symptoms are consistent with RA.So.....now what?!I'm scared and I'm already imagining a hellish future for my family and myself. If I'm this uncomfortable now at the age of 37 what's it going to be like in 5 or 10 years?! *Ut oh, I'm whining. Sorry about that. ; )I've had achy bones for probably about two years. Arthritis seems to run in my family so I just dealt with it. BUT, a few weeks ago during a chilly and rainy camping trip I kept waking with such pain that I was sure someone had sneaked in and beat the heck out of me! Thats when I crawled to the doctor's office looking for an explaination.So, I've been trying Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Naproxen as advised by the doc but I still hurt, darn it! I just don't know what to do now.Do I wait for a call from my primary physician? Do I make the next move? What should the next move be?Ahh, so many question!Well thanks so much for listening. After reading the archives I see this group is caring and supportive- I'm glad to have found it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 , Welcome to the group. These are great folks. My advice is to get help with the inflammation as soon as possible so you have a handle on the pain and can get enough rest. I have been fighting RA for seven years and been thru many drugs. My body was very sensitive to all the drugs and now I only take an anti-inflammatory and am very careful what I eat. Diet is very important in helping control things for me. It sounds very strict but less joint pain is a great incentive...No milk, no sugar, no wheat, no gluten. I am most glad to be off prednisone. Kay ----- Original Message ----- From: " monique " <moneekw@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:02 AM Subject: new to group (kinda long) > Hello! > I just recently joined this group (and a few others like it) because > I believe I have RA. I have not been officially diagnosed but after a > recent blood test, my doctor sent me a letter letting me know that my > RA is elevated and if my pain and stiffness persists, I might have > RA. He gave me a website to check out and my symptoms are consistent > with RA. > So.....now what?! > I'm scared and I'm already imagining a hellish future for my family > and myself. If I'm this uncomfortable now at the age of 37 what's it > going to be like in 5 or 10 years?! *Ut oh, I'm whining. Sorry about > that. ; ) > > I've had achy bones for probably about two years. Arthritis seems to > run in my family so I just dealt with it. BUT, a few weeks ago during > a chilly and rainy camping trip I kept waking with such pain that I > was sure someone had sneaked in and beat the heck out of me! Thats > when I crawled to the doctor's office looking for an explaination. > > So, I've been trying Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Naproxen as > advised by the doc but I still hurt, darn it! I just don't know what > to do now. > Do I wait for a call from my primary physician? Do I make the next > move? What should the next move be? > Ahh, so many question! > Well thanks so much for listening. After reading the archives I see > this group is caring and supportive- I'm glad to have found it! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Kay, is there a book on diets for people with RA? I was Dx with RA about fours ago.........Joyce ----- Original Message ----- From: " Kay Simpson " <Siwelyak@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 10:05 PM Subject: Re: new to group (kinda long) , Welcome to the group. These are great folks. My advice is to get help with the inflammation as soon as possible so you have a handle on the pain and can get enough rest. I have been fighting RA for seven years and been thru many drugs. My body was very sensitive to all the drugs and now I only take an anti-inflammatory and am very careful what I eat. Diet is very important in helping control things for me. It sounds very strict but less joint pain is a great incentive...No milk, no sugar, no wheat, no gluten. I am most glad to be off prednisone. Kay ----- Original Message ----- From: " monique " <moneekw@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:02 AM Subject: new to group (kinda long) > Hello! > I just recently joined this group (and a few others like it) because > I believe I have RA. I have not been officially diagnosed but after a > recent blood test, my doctor sent me a letter letting me know that my > RA is elevated and if my pain and stiffness persists, I might have > RA. He gave me a website to check out and my symptoms are consistent > with RA. > So.....now what?! > I'm scared and I'm already imagining a hellish future for my family > and myself. If I'm this uncomfortable now at the age of 37 what's it > going to be like in 5 or 10 years?! *Ut oh, I'm whining. Sorry about > that. ; ) > > I've had achy bones for probably about two years. Arthritis seems to > run in my family so I just dealt with it. BUT, a few weeks ago during > a chilly and rainy camping trip I kept waking with such pain that I > was sure someone had sneaked in and beat the heck out of me! Thats > when I crawled to the doctor's office looking for an explaination. > > So, I've been trying Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and Naproxen as > advised by the doc but I still hurt, darn it! I just don't know what > to do now. > Do I wait for a call from my primary physician? Do I make the next > move? What should the next move be? > Ahh, so many question! > Well thanks so much for listening. After reading the archives I see > this group is caring and supportive- I'm glad to have found it! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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