New here and to RA (kinda long)

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm totally new to all of this, any experience, advice, etc would really be

appreciated. (sorry this is long, I couldn't figure out a short version to

explain)

I've always had occassional strange pains in my feet and ankles (hurts when I

get up and start to walk, feels like I'm going to fall, feet burn and feel

bruised after wearing shoes) for years, it will flair up for weeks or months and

then fade away (my calfs, ankles and feet are constanly swollen, hurts to wear

socks). Had carpal tunnel found in 99 and had surgery. Slight back pain and

hip pain every now and then. My knees started acting really bad a year ago,

started leaning myself on the wall to feel safe on stairs so I wouldn't fall if

they gave out.

I checked with friends on a group I'm on, many told me to go to doc, could be

RA, fibro, etc. I decided I must be making a big deal out of nothing, I

couldn't have anything like that and decided to ignore it all until the last

couple of weeks.

My elbow starting hurting all the time, tender to touch, one night I was in pain

everywhere, no over the counter meds were touching it and I couldn't concentrate

on anything because of the pain. Next morning I couldn't close my hands to make

a fist, had to have help to get down stairs etc. I could hardly walk when I

first got up. Went to doc, they sent me for blanket blood tests, talked of

possible fibro. Called me back next day saying nothing wrong, just liver

function off (probably due to regular meds), said my sediment test (?) was

normal. I still couldn't tighten hands (and other problem areas still hurting)

and now my middle fingers on both hands wouldn't straighten all the way. I had

to push them to look further into it. They gave me prescription

anti-inflamatory and sent me for RA test. Called me back again, my RA result

was extremely positive (in their words) and because of 3 family members with RA

and my symptoms, they feel I have RA.

A week of anti-inflamatory and I'm basically back to normal now. Stopped taking

them Friday night (didn't know if I needed to keep taking them when I wasn't

hurting anymore)

Because I'm in Canada, I will have to wait weeks for my referral to a

rheumatologist.

What kinds of things should I expect visiting a rheumatologist? Do you think RA

is the diagnois they'll stay with or will they be testing me for other possible

causes??

Thanks so much for reading my novel, Charlotte in Canada

[Guest guest]

hi charlotte

where in canada are you? in edmonton it only takes a couple weeks to get

into a rheumy. in kelowna, where i live, there are only 3 rheumies so it

can take up to a year. rheumies will want to give you methotrexate or

other immune suppressing drugs. most of them know re taking minocin but

never rx it on their own. a few will if you ask. you may want to ask

here for a doc in your area familiar with ap. it wil most likely be an

MD who will rx you abx not a rheumy. my experience in canada anyway.

monique

[Guest guest]

I'm in Edmonton, yea for maybe only a couple of weeks!!

I have to go back and read the uses for the meds again

Charlotte

>

> hi charlotte

>

> where in canada are you? in edmonton it only takes a couple weeks to get

> into a rheumy. in kelowna, where i live, there are only 3 rheumies so it

> can take up to a year. rheumies will want to give you methotrexate or

> other immune suppressing drugs. most of them know re taking minocin but

> never rx it on their own. a few will if you ask. you may want to ask

> here for a doc in your area familiar with ap. it wil most likely be an

> MD who will rx you abx not a rheumy. my experience in canada anyway.

>

> monique

>

[Guest guest]

i know a doc in edmonton who will rx. ap if you need it. my mom only

waits 2 weeks to see a rheumy there. i can get the name if you want.

monique

[Guest guest]

I'm a little leary, I got my referral in the mail yesterday. It is for May 25th

with a Dr. Skeith. Reason for me leary, the RateMD site was filled with

unfavorable reviews for him. A lot were in 2007. Said his bedside manner

wasn't good and he wasn't very sympathic to overweight patients.

Charlotte

>

> i know a doc in edmonton who will rx. ap if you need it. my mom only

> waits 2 weeks to see a rheumy there. i can get the name if you want.

>

> monique

>