Re: Re: Its all in my head

[Guest guest]

When I first came down with RA no one knew what it was. I was told it was all in my head. The symptoms started with severe fatigue while I was working. I could fall asleep standing up. I was nannying at the time and the kids were always sick. I was always sick. Then suddenly I get this wierd knee pain on right side, then a week later in left. Dr. said it was a pulled tendon, and just ice and ace it. Then the strange progression week after week when you wake up two weeks later and your knee is swollen and it feels like someone smashed it with a hammer. Within two months I was bedridden and in mindbending pain. Doctor after Doctor. Blood test after blood test. Nothing. That was 5/94. I remember leaving a doctors office and crying in the elevator because I was so frightened and frustrated. They thought I had lupus in November of that year, and put me on Prednisone and Plaquenil. It wasnt helping at all. In Feb of 95 I went to yet another RD, It was like my fifth one in as many months, and while my sed rate was sky high and my ANA titre positive, suddenly RA is glowing red on the tests. I remember thinking, that is an old persons disease. Then I did research. My immune system was compromised and Id gotten it. It doesnt run in my family at all. For anyone whose doctor says you are a head case, turn around and walk out the door and get as many other opinions as possible to validate and explain your pain. I realize that RA is an evil sneaking disease and sometimes will lay dormant in your blood while attacking your body and the doctors cant come up with anything at all. But, jeeze have a little compassion. Most of all, the psychological effects are deep reaching and long lasting when you are told its all in your head. After I was diagnosed properly, I went to the arthritis foundation support group and also a psychologist. I needed both after the hell Id been through. Anyone on this board who even thinks they suspect RA or any of the connective tissue disorders that manifest themselves like Lupus, or MS.......etc, should get all the information and support they can. I am so glad this board is around. You are all courageous and tenacious and in the end, we have to be. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

I've been having RA symptoms for YEARS - that's why I think it's so rough on me now - if my doc could have just figured it out earlier I might not be in such bad shape. So I totally agree with you. Be proactive and very verbal with your doc and change docs till you find one that will listen.

kins

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

From: dbargad@...

Date: 04/13/05 01:16:30

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re: Re: Its all in my head

When I first came down with RA no one knew what it was. I was told it was all in my head. The symptoms started with severe fatigue while I was working. I could fall asleep standing up. I was nannying at the time and the kids were always sick. I was always sick. Then suddenly I get this wierd knee pain on right side, then a week later in left. Dr. said it was a pulled tendon, and just ice and ace it. Then the strange progression week after week when you wake up two weeks later and your knee is swollen and it feels like someone smashed it with a hammer. Within two months I was bedridden and in mindbending pain. Doctor after Doctor. Blood test after blood test. Nothing. That was 5/94. I remember leaving a doctors office and crying in the elevator because I was so frightened and frustrated. They thought I had lupus in November of that year, and put me on Prednisone and Plaquenil. It wasnt helping at all. In Feb of 95 I went to yet another RD, It was like my fifth one in as many months, and while my sed rate was sky high and my ANA titre positive, suddenly RA is glowing red on the tests. I remember thinking, that is an old persons disease. Then I did research. My immune system was compromised and Id gotten it. It doesnt run in my family at all. For anyone whose doctor says you are a head case, turn around and walk out the door and get as many other opinions as possible to validate and explain your pain. I realize that RA is an evil sneaking disease and sometimes will lay dormant in your blood while attacking your body and the doctors cant come up with anything at all. But, jeeze have a little compassion. Most of all, the psychological effects are deep reaching and long lasting when you are told its all in your head. After I was diagnosed properly, I went to the arthritis foundation support group and also a psychologist. I needed both after the hell Id been through. Anyone on this board who even thinks they suspect RA or any of the connective tissue disorders that manifest themselves like Lupus, or MS.......etc, should get all the information and support they can. I am so glad this board is around. You are all courageous and tenacious and in the end, we have to be. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

If one doesn't listen, go to another. I went thru heck when we were trying to find out what was wrong with me too. It went from I have the flu, to lupus, to collengen disease and finally $500 worth of tests and no insurance they found I had RA.

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Maggie

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