No longer in remission

[Guest guest]

Hello group. I found this group last week after after being diagnosed

in acute flare of RA.

I was first diagnosed in 1992, and became bed-ridden within a year. It

took 2 years to find the drug combination/therapy that worked for me.

I gradually got better and went in to remission in 1999.

With the exception of residual joint damage, I have been pretty much

symptom and medication free for 6 years - until a few months ago. I

live in a new state and don't have access to my old records, and after

being in denial about emerging symptoms, finally got to a new

rheumatologist a couple of months ago.

Blood work did not indicate an elevated R factor, and with just my

word to go on, he was, uummmmmm, not convinced that I had RA. Finally,

my right shoulder exploded a couple weeks ago, and I went in to the

office ahead of my next sheduled visit. I felt the doc gave me

the " hysterical menopausal-female eye roll " - some of you know what

I'm talking about.

After examining the shoulder, he drained almost 40cc of fluid, and

made the RA diagnosis. I started on Metho and had blood drawn.

I went again yesterday for follow-up. I have some joints " simmering " ,

but the shoulder feels better, and said I was optimistic. He said not

to get too optimistic - a sed rate of 79 was HIGH for just one joint

inflamed, the shoulder was better from the draining/injection and he

felt the disease was coming back with a vengeance. Added Plaquenil,

which I have not taken before, to the metho.

I'm starting to remember the nightmare I was in before going into

remission, and fighting to keep my panic under control, because I know

that won't help things. Hey, at least my husband said to 'get someone

to clean the house'! Don't have to ask me twice on that one!!

Don't know much about the plaquenil. What do you say? muiron