Guest guest Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 Hi All, Although this is not Costo related I wanted to post this because I know others here have complained about this type of pain and could benefit from knowing this. It has taken me over 2 years to get a diagnosis that I finally feel is right and going to many different doctors that I didn't have to go to including a Neurologist, and having to take many tests and medication that I did not need. My symptoms were pain around the sacral iliac joint, butt and the outsides of my upper thighs. I had to get a new mattress because the pain was so bad since I sleep on my side and sometimes had to use a wheelchair due to the pain of walking. Everything is bilateral. The Doctor says it is separate from Fibro. It is called Piriformis Syndrome, and basically is " a rare neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve-the largest nerve in the body. The piriformis muscle is a narrow muscle located in the buttocks. Compression of the sciatic nerve causes pain- frequently described as tingling or numbness-in the buttocks and along the nerve, often down to the leg. The pain may worsen as a result of sitting for a long period of time, climbing stairs, walking, or running. " She also diagnosed Sacral Iliac Joint Disfunction, haven't researched that yet! I have one leg shorter than the other (Invisible to the Naked Eye) and she says that's throwing me off. She has prescribed physical therapy. I am happy to have a diagnosis, but a bit depressed to have yet another thing wrong with me! Who feels like doing P.T. either? I know though it will be a good thing and hopefully will get me on the road to better health and less pain. If anyone else has this, please let me know. Also, again, I thought some people here might have it and not know about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 More and more pregnant women are getting RA. Like an epidemic. DMARDS will not cut it. Get on Remicade. Its an infusion given once every 8 weeks. Its designed for newly diagnosed patients. Your insurance should cover it. No shots to give yourself. Be sure to hydrate yourself during the infusion. This is a TNF binding agent and should help alot. You will need to take MTX as well. That can cause fatigue so be sure you take it before bedtime and sleep through it. Get yourself to a Rheumatologist if you havent already. Do some research. Google in " Pregnancy and RA. " Youll be mighty suprised. See what comes up. Biologics will stop the disease in its tracks for most people. Its the only true management tool we have. Be sure to eat right and get enough rest. Keep your feet up and wear compression socks if you have to. Get decent shoes. A nike or adidas with cushioned heel, good ankle support and high arch. Hang in and get on Remicade if you can. www.arthritisfoundation.org for more info and support groups in your area. Yours, Deborah On 3/28/06, graceaches <graceaches@...> wrote: Hi there:I am 38, previously very healthy and started having symptoms inNovember--I was pregnant at the time so everyone wrote it off to that-- 2 months after I had my baby I am diagnosed with RA. The pain isincredible--my previous size 7 1/2 feet are so swollen they can't evenbe squeezed into a size 9! Thank heaven for Crocs! I have been onEtodolac for two weeks and getting worse the whole time. Doctor is going to start DMARD--but says they can take 4-6 weeks for relief. Ihave 2 year old and newborn and work full-time. Some days I canbarely function, it's hard to hold the kids and I am so tired. Myhusband is picking up the slack but I really need some relief fast-- any suggestions about exercise, ice, heat etc? Sorry to whine--thishas been such a huge shock to me-- I feel so useless...any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Heat seems to work better for me. Anytime I tried to use cold packs or even icyhot, the cold seems to make the swelling, therefor the pain worse. > > Hi there: > I am 38, previously very healthy and started having symptoms in > November--I was pregnant at the time so everyone wrote it off to that-- > 2 months after I had my baby I am diagnosed with RA. The pain is > incredible--my previous size 7 1/2 feet are so swollen they can't even > be squeezed into a size 9! Thank heaven for Crocs! I have been on > Etodolac for two weeks and getting worse the whole time. Doctor is > going to start DMARD--but says they can take 4-6 weeks for relief. I > have 2 year old and newborn and work full-time. Some days I can > barely function, it's hard to hold the kids and I am so tired. My > husband is picking up the slack but I really need some relief fast-- > any suggestions about exercise, ice, heat etc? Sorry to whine-- this > has been such a huge shock to me-- I feel so useless...any advice? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Hi, Welcome! My name is Holly and I am 26 and I have RA, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Disorder. Unfotunately it does take 4-6 weeks for the meds to start working. The only thing that has helped me with the pain is heat, hot baths, heating pads. Ice helps some people I've heard. It's great that your husband is picking up the slack as it sounds like you have a full load. I have 2 kids as well and started having symptoms right after my second birth. I was working full time as well until today when I started disability. My rheumy told me that I wasn't resting enough and because of it I was working against my meds and not with them. I just learned how important it is to rest. I also just learned that stress can make the pain worse. I new things can be crazy especially with a newborn and a job, but please do try to rest, it really does help with the pain. Are you on anything for the pain? If not you might want to call your doctor and ask about getting something. Feel free to vent when you need to, we all do. This is a great group so feel free to ask any questions. Best wishes to you, Hollygraceaches <graceaches@...> wrote: Hi there: I am 38, previously very healthy and started having symptoms in November--I was pregnant at the time so everyone wrote it off to that-- 2 months after I had my baby I am diagnosed with RA. The pain is incredible--my previous size 7 1/2 feet are so swollen they can't even be squeezed into a size 9! Thank heaven for Crocs! I have been on Etodolac for two weeks and getting worse the whole time. Doctor is going to start DMARD--but says they can take 4-6 weeks for relief. I have 2 year old and newborn and work full-time. Some days I can barely function, it's hard to hold the kids and I am so tired. My husband is picking up the slack but I really need some relief fast-- any suggestions about exercise, ice, heat etc? Sorry to whine--this has been such a huge shock to me-- I feel so useless...any advice? Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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