questions

[Guest guest]

I just saw my Rheumatologist for the first time today. I am confused

to be quite honest and VERY discouraged.

My RA factor is high, however, it is my understanding that my SED

rate was normal as was my blood count. Is it possible that I still

have RA? The Rheumatologist said that he wanted to do more blood

work and that I needed to loose weight. He also said that my

numerous other health conditions could lend itself to my joint pain

and stiffness. I am just so confused and frustrated. I wanted pain

relief and instead, I just have more blood work and some Alieve

prescribed 2x a day. I already take Ibuprofen by the bottle it seems

like and it doesn't work so why waste the money? I have tried to

loose weight, but that hasn't been successful. I have an underactive

thyroid and as you know it is quite difficult to excercise in

intense pain. Can anyone help me understand what is going on?

I have more questions. How long did it take for people to get

diagnosed? How much blood work, tests, etc., did you have to go

through before receiving a diagnosis and relief from the pain? Maybe

I am just expecting too much too fast.

Why would the doctor test my thyroid since we already know that I

have hypothyroidism and am on medications? Why would he do hepatitis

blood work because I had blood transfusions as a baby? What would

that have to do with anything? He is doing the C-reactive protein

(CRP)and I do understand that one. I don't remember the others, but

I was confused on the first two..thyroid and hepatitis. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help and support! It really encourages me when I am

down. And right now I am down. I am in so much pain in my feet and

in my shoulder which seems to be loosing its mobility range. I also

was just told I have two herniated disks in my neck at C-5 & C-6,

but yet no pain management. HELP! I don't see the neurosurgeon

before the end of September! How am I ever going to get through all

of this?

Why if my RA count is high and I fulfill the other qualifications is

this so hard to diagnose?

Thanks for any and all help.

Helen

[Guest guest]

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

From: littletrollishbeing

> Why would the doctor test my thyroid since we already know that Ihave hypothyroidism and am on medications?

Anybody with hypthyroidism should have a baseline test done and then be tested every six months in case your medication needs to be adjusted. I have a dog with it and that's what they do with him, so it only stands to reason they would do it with people, too.

> Why would he do hepatitis blood work because I had blood transfusions as a baby? What wouldthat have to do with anything?

You can contract Hep C from a blood transfusion. Perhaps your liver panel numbers were a bit high and he wants to rule out Hep C. I have PBC which is an autoimmune disease that affects your liver. I was diagnosed in 1998 and they still periodically test me for Hep C and I've never had a blood transfusion and they expect my numbers to be high due to the PBC.

I think he's just being on the safe side.

Nina

[Guest guest]

The main reason you don’t hear much

about this is that it only works that way for a small minority of the people,

but for those it is wonderful. Some people benefit from other dietary changes

but there are no single dietary changes that have been shown to be good

specifically for RA. Changing to a generally healthy diet is good for a lot of

things but it will not specifically help RA unless you have some food

sensitivity to something you cut out. I think an allergist can do some skin

tests to see if some food allergy is likely, or you can use an elimination diet

to see if any food group is bad for you. Arbitrarily cutting out certain food

groups is a poor way to try to treat RA. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Hertling

Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 8:49 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Re:

Questions

Wow Trish,

I've had RA for 7 years and have never been givin

this heads up. This group really is priceless. I will

start these changes today.

Thanks,

--- trish@... wrote:

> Leah,

>

> You need to change your diet.

>

> If you eat a lot of sweets STOP. If you drink alot

> of sodas STOP.

>

> Cut out all sugars and bleached flour and all

> chocolate.

>

> If you eat a lot of the above Items and stop them

> right now. You will

> experience some relief by your third day.

>

> You may also want to cut out green peppers and

> tomatoes because in some

> people these vegetables set their arthritis off to

> hurting.

>

> Also increase your intake of water to 3 quarts a

> day. This will lubricate

> the joints and help relieve the pain in the joints.

>

> I know all this works because I was RXed in my 30s

> with RA and I am now 50

> and I am not on meds. I am on the diet I mentioned

> above and I take

> vitamins/supplements. I have no symptoms at this

> time of RA. But when I go

> on a cruise and eat a lot of the

> deserts..............my joints swell and I

> am in sooo much pain. So then i go home and get back

> on my diet and drink

> lots and lots of water and take extra

> vitamins/supplements that target my

> joints and I am back to normal in 3 days.

>

> I hope you feel better soon.

> ((gentle hugs))

> Trish

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You don’t say how long your joints

have been hurting but if it is less than six weeks it would probably not be

diagnosed with RA. It could be a lot of things including some type of flu.

Some doctors would prescribe Prednisone for quick relief from the symptoms of

RA in case that is what you have and also it might help with diagnosis. I

doubt that any doctor would prescribe a real RA medication this early unless

you have several other symptoms. Let us know when you get more information.

God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of leah

Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 5:14 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Questions

Hi all:

I was crying last night because it hurt so much I mean my joints

and whole body hurts. They are checking me for lyme disease and

rheumatiod arthritis. If I got this what do they do for it? Does it

sound like I have RA?

Take Care all.

Leah

[Guest guest]

My blood work came back fine. I go back to see the doctor tomorrow as I'm still hurting. I have been hurting since last tuesday. LeahHarold Van Tuyl <hvantuyl@...> wrote: You don’t say how long your joints have been hurting but if it is less than six weeks it would probably not be diagnosed with RA. It could be a lot of things including some type of flu. Some doctors would prescribe Prednisone for quick relief from the symptoms of RA in case that is what you have and also it might help with diagnosis. I doubt that any doctor would prescribe a real RA medication this early unless you have several other symptoms. Let us know when you get more information. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of leahSent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 5:14 PMTo:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Questions Hi all: I was crying last night because it hurt so much I mean my joints and whole body hurts. They are checking me for lyme disease and rheumatiod arthritis. If I got this what do they do for it? Does it sound like I have RA?Take Care all. Leah

[Guest guest]

i am on the same meds you are but i take 1.2 mg with 8 pills every

sunday soyour dose i higher

do go around ohers who sickkeep onthe meds.

uilt thedotor eatherllowe it or add remiced to it.

itake200 mgof remieced that gose in iv but isleep alotthrouh it, to me

both meds help me alot but dont stop any meds talk toyour doctor1st.