follow-up of my blood test | Arthritis Information
So ESR and RF all came back and all negative so far (RF=4). I know some ppl are sera-negative so don't think I can totally eliminate the possibility. I have insisted to see a rheumotologist and I am not sure how long I need to wait to see one. After all, this is Calgary and everything needs to wait.
My knee discomfort has been stable in the past 2 months (no pain just feel a bit weak). The main thing bothers me is the left upper back. kinda sore and sometimes feel like i pulled a muscle. really annoying. But I know a lot of ppl here suffer more than me so I am not going to whine here.
After reading all the stories here, if God gives me a wish now I will deinitely say curing all the RA patients. I hate seeing so many ppl's life got negatively impacted by this disease!
BTW, I am just curious does anyone here start with simiar symptoms as I have right now: right knee discomfort for 3 months and left upper back sore? No stiffness so far.
You may have injured the knee somehow and the back pain is a result of limping or guarding the sore knee.
Have mechanical problems been ruled out
Yeah x-ray all came back normal. But I haven't done MRI yet. The symptom did start showing up acouple of days after a hiking trail.
I don't know if you guys work out regularly and if you don't, I strongly suggest you do! Yes my knee felt weak so I don't do knee exercise any more but I stll go to the gym to do as much as I can. Everytime after gym I feel all good again and I couldn't even feel the back problem when i started wroking out in the gym.
[QUOTE=coolbreeze] BTW, I am just curious does anyone here start with simiar symptoms as I have right now: [/QUOTE]
As far as I can remember my symptoms were gross swelling of my right wrist with incapacitating pain that was exacerbated by any movement: from there is progressed to my shoulder, across my neck and down my left arm, within a very short period of time my knees, ankles, and feet were involved. I do vividly remember sleeplessness, night sweats, and fatigue beyond anything I had ever experience before.By the three month mark I was immobile: by the fifth month I have started to respond to therapy.
FWIW, HappHapp your symptom really started fast and sounded more serious. I guess this is probably why my doc didn't want to do anything about my complain because they think it's "mild". So far I haven't felt anything with my small joints like wrist fingers etc. BTW, did you ever try acupuncture? Some ppl claim it helps.
Wow Happ, you're story is very similar to mine.
Cool, I have pain in my upper right back, but have had it for years and I don't believe it's related to RA. I just get knots under my shoulder blade and it can be quite painful, causing pretty bad headaches too.
I agree that you shouldn't give up exercise. It's good for everyone in general and in particular for those of us with RA. Make whatever changes are necessary, but keep physically fit as best you can.
[QUOTE=Happ]
As far as I can remember my symptoms were gross swelling of my right wrist with incapacitating pain that was exacerbated by any movement: from there is progressed to my shoulder, across my neck and down my left arm, within a very short period of time my knees, ankles, and feet were involved. I do vividly remember sleeplessness, night sweats, and fatigue beyond anything I had ever experience before.By the three month mark I was immobile: by the fifth month I have started to respond to therapy.
FWIW, Happ[/QUOTE]
Happ, this is the way I started with one small difference, at week two I was cripple, at week three, I just had to go see someone.
Oh the agony of it all, couldn't wipe my own A***.
No harm in asking to see a rheumatologist, I live in Calgary too and I think the waiting list could be around nine months to a year anyway. Put your name down. From first symptoms to sitting in a rheumatologist's office took eleven months!! I've since changed the first one because I didn't feel comfortable with her. Good luck. Gill
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com