Hi There. I am brand new to this board. I'm hoping that you might be able to give me some insight as to what's going on with me right now. For the past 2 months, I've been battling a respiratory infection that involves a lot of coughing. My primary care doctor gave me antibiotics (Z-Pak) about a month ago, but it didn't seem to help - I am still coughing a lot. Now, over the last two weeks, I've been experiencing joint pain and stiffness - in both my hands, feet, elbows and knees. It's extremely painful and I'm really freaked out by it - especially since I am only 34 and have never had joint pain before (except in my knee, which was from an old softball injury). I went back to the doctor this week and I told him about the joint pain. He thinks it's related to the respiratory infection, so he prescribed me another round of stronger antibiotics. When I told him that I was worried that it might be RA, he said that it's highly unlikely and I shouldn't worry. I am halfway through the antibiotics with 5 days to go and I don't feel any better. Could this be the start of RA? That would be devastating to me, especially since the best RA treatments are in the form of shots and I hate shots. What were some of the early symptoms that you all experienced? Any insight or response would be very much appreciated. I am pretty worried and upset right now. Thank you all! Shelly P.
Shelly welcome and I hope you don't have to stay here. The best thing to do from here is just to have the blood tests done for RA, and see where they fall. I am hoping you are fine and your joints are reacting to sickness. Has he tried a short course of steriods for the infection? If so...what did your joints feel like then?
The first concern is to have an antibiotic strong enough to kill the infection you have.
Hi Shelly, welcome, I hope for just a little while you have joined us. Isn't the caughing jsut terrible! I had that for months and didn't think I'd ever get over it. I couldn't talk without starting a bunch of caughing. It drove me and everyone around me crazy.
I hope you don't have this disease, but you will know after yu get rid ot the infection. Sometimes it takes a long time to do that. I'd try not to worry too much right now, get well and think positive, you'll make it! Lynda
Linda
Shelly -
I had 3 z-paks for pneumonia about a year before my diagnosis. I'm PRA so there were bouts between 'attacks' and this was one of the things going on between the onset and the diagnosis 18 months later.
I'm in the 'infectious etiology' camp. We treat Autoimmune diseases with low doses of antibiotics.
Hugs,
Pip
Hi shelly my names maria and i was diagnosed with RA 2years ago. Im now 44 and with the help and expertise of my rhumatologist im living a fairly normal life,anyway your symptoms to me do im sorry to say seem to be that of RA but look im no doctor and as someone else mentioned a simple blood test will confirm whether you have it or not. Shelly this type of arthritus is not associated with old age, and with the right medication you really can feel totally normal, the very best of luck to you and your family.
GOOD LUCK MARIA
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com