Re: New Member with lots of questions.

Posted October 11, 2004 · October 11, 2004

,

Not everybody tests positive for the RA factor - I think in some cases,

myself included, it was a rheumatologists exam that gave the diagnoses

of RA. Other tests can be done but are not always definitive. I believe

there are certain things the rheumy looks for to make the diagnoses.

I don't know much about TMJor bursitis , maybe others will.

As for the cat, I am on sulfasalazine as well as other meds and my cats

has not had a change in health. Perhaps is was a coincidence that your

cats got sick when you started taking your meds - unless by chance she

has been eating them? My pills are not powdery at all, they have a hard

orange coating, but if they break maybe they could be. Isn't there a

warning about not chewing or using broken tablets?? I have petted Miss

Pris many times after taking my meds and I have a little dog that lives

on my lap and no problems but I hope you are able to get it sorted - it

is always hard when something you love is sick!

Welcome to the group

chuckwlsn wrote:

>

> I just got dx with rheumatoid arthritis in March. My rheumatoid

> factor was neg and sed rate was neg. The rheumatologist did a

> physical exam and said it was definately rheumatoid arthritis. I'v

> never had any xrays or other testing done. The Dr states Dx is made

> by physical exam. He started me on methotrexate, celebrex, folic

> acid, and sulfasalzazine. After about a month my fingers, elbows and

> knees no longer hurt. The swelling had subsided. I never got a

> second opinion and contine to take these drugs. My questions are

> 1} Is he correct in saying dx is made by physical exam? Shouldn't

> other tests been done?

> 2} I have had on two seperate occasions difficulty opening and closing

> my mouth. It is always the right jaw that gives me great pain,

> difficulty eating. My Rheumatologist states this is not from the

> arthritis, but it is TMJ. I thought TMJ would be constant pain. I

> have had this problem only twice.

> 3) I also have had problems with both elbows swelling, painful, warm

> to touch. They feel like they are filled with fluid. They don't

> remain that way. This also comes and goes. The doc tells me this

> also is not related to the arthritis, it is bursitis.

> 4) My final question is a whopper. Has anyone who owns a cat that

> takes sulfsalzaine notice that their cat has become sick? I started

> this medication the end of March. My cat developed pancytopenia(low

> red cells, white cells and platelet counts) at the beginning of May.

> She was finally dx with aplastic anemia which one of the causes is

> exposure to sulfa drugs. The medication is very powdery and leaves

> residue on hands and any other thing it comes in contact with. The

> vet specialist states it very well could be possible that exposure

> from this med may have caused her illiness.

>

> I'd appreciate any feed back regarding these questions.

>

> Thanks

>

> *

Posted October 12, 2004 · October 12, 2004

I was also diagnosed with physical exam very quickly without waiting for

results of blood tests. Rheumy seemed certain right off the bat by my

symptoms and after he " mashed " here and there... blood tests can come back

negative and later show up positive.

Your jaw CAN definitely be tied to the RA. I also had some jaw problems for

a bit that went away...

No help on your cat and meds.

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From: " chuckwlsn " <chuckwlsn@...>

Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 10:18 PM

Subject: New Member with lots of questions.