New Member with lots of questions.

[Guest guest]

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