New here...need advice please

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I'm new to this site and was looking for some insight by those more

experienced. I have been having rheumatoid arthritis symptoms since

February and finally decided to see my GP. He did some blood work

and called today to tell me that although he thinks I have the

beginning of RA, my blood work is negative for RA and lupus.

Good news, I know, but has anyone out there also experienced most of

the symptoms of RA and their blood work was negative?

I feel like I'm running around in circles! I've had episodes of

joint swelling and tenderness of the elbow, shoulder, ankle and both

hip joints. When the hip pain began I was barely able to walk or

lift either leg and felt like I had the flu. The other joint pains

were less intense, but painful nonetheless....

My GP told me to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and to try

to exercise to keep the joints from getting too stiff. Easier said

than done.

I used to walk 3 miles a day, but stopped when the ankle swelling

started about 3 months ago. I'm a 47 year old female who feels like

she's going on 97! I've never had any major problems with health and

avoided drs. as much as I could.

Thanks to all of you for any suggestions or advice!

Hugs, Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi Tee:

You should probably see a rheumatologist. There are many drugs that will help stop the progression of the disease which is something you want to do asap. OTC medication will probably not help you feel much better if you do have RA, or if they do, only in the short run.

I am 46 and was dx with RA about 3 years ago. It affects primarily my feet. Prior to that I was a runner and in great shape. I had to give that up, but have kept up with different forms of exercise like Pilates and going to the gym working out with weights and doing my aerobic stuff on the recumbent bike. I do think that doing whatever kind of exercise is helpful - especially any kind of stretching exercises.

One thing that keeps me going is to remember that the disease is a fluid condition. There are some days that are really bad and some days that are relatively good. The goal is to try and have more good days than bad ones. When I look back over the 3 years and the many different medications and amounts of it I've been on, I can see that I am definitely better off than I was about a year ago. But it is still a part of my everyday life and something that affects me every time I get up from a chair or walk down the street. My meds are constantly being adjusted to fit my needs.

Don't get too discouraged. But do find yourself a good rheumatologist who will get you started on the right drugs.

Good luck to you.

gloria

[Guest guest]

Dear Tee,

This sounds just like me. I have negative blood work except for an

elevated SED rate. I have a very swollen ankle and all my joints

ache. I can't walk around the block without my hips killing me. It

takes me at least 3 hours in the morning before the stiffness is

gone and I am on Bextra, Plaquanil, and Darvocet for pain.

You need to see a RA doctor and it may take awhile to find out what

it is. Try to hang in there and know that you are not alone.

in Michigan

> Hi All,

>

> I'm new to this site and was looking for some insight by those

more

> experienced. I have been having rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

since

> February and finally decided to see my GP. He did some blood work

> and called today to tell me that although he thinks I have the

> beginning of RA, my blood work is negative for RA and lupus.

>

> Good news, I know, but has anyone out there also experienced most

of

> the symptoms of RA and their blood work was negative?

>

> I feel like I'm running around in circles! I've had episodes of

> joint swelling and tenderness of the elbow, shoulder, ankle and

both

> hip joints. When the hip pain began I was barely able to walk or

> lift either leg and felt like I had the flu. The other joint

pains

> were less intense, but painful nonetheless....

>

> My GP told me to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and to

try

> to exercise to keep the joints from getting too stiff. Easier

said

> than done.

>

> I used to walk 3 miles a day, but stopped when the ankle swelling

> started about 3 months ago. I'm a 47 year old female who feels

like

> she's going on 97! I've never had any major problems with health

and

> avoided drs. as much as I could.

>

> Thanks to all of you for any suggestions or advice!

>

> Hugs, Tee

[Guest guest]

Hi Teerific. Lots of people have RA but not positive blood work. There are

seven criteria from the American College of Rheumatology that are used in

diagnosing RA and only one is blood work and one is damage seen on x-rays. All

the others come from patient history and doctor's examinations. You should be

seeing a rheumatologist and get on a DMARD (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic

Drug) to slow down or stop permanent joint damage that often happens with

untreated RA. God bless.

>

> From: " teerific11 " <teerific11@...>

> Date: 2004/09/14 Tue AM 12:21:17 GMT

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: New here...need advice please

>

>

Hi All,

I'm new to this site and was looking for some insight by those more

experienced. I have been having rheumatoid arthritis symptoms since

February and finally decided to see my GP. He did some blood work

and called today to tell me that although he thinks I have the

beginning of RA, my blood work is negative for RA and lupus.

Good news, I know, but has anyone out there also experienced most of

the symptoms of RA and their blood work was negative?

I feel like I'm running around in circles! I've had episodes of

joint swelling and tenderness of the elbow, shoulder, ankle and both

hip joints. When the hip pain began I was barely able to walk or

lift either leg and felt like I had the flu. The other joint pains

were less intense, but painful nonetheless....

My GP told me to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and to try

to exercise to keep the joints from getting too stiff. Easier said

than done.

I used to walk 3 miles a day, but stopped when the ankle swelling

started about 3 months ago. I'm a 47 year old female who feels like

she's going on 97! I've never had any major problems with health and

avoided drs. as much as I could.

Thanks to all of you for any suggestions or advice!

Hugs, Tee