Well, I've been hanging out on your forum for a few weeks trying to learn about RA and wondering desperately if that is what I have. I have been trapped on a work trip in pain and unable to do anything about it. Today I broke down and asked to leave a week early. I had an appt on the 12th with a DO, but would really like to get in sooner and get some sort of diagnosis in the works.
The good news... Right after I made the decision to leave, the rheumatology clinic I have been trying to get ahold of finally called me back, and I can get in on Monday!! If I couldn't make that appt it would have been 6 weeks. I can honestly, and sadly say that I have never been so excited to go to the doctor! I can't wait to find out what's wrong with me!
Hurrah! Go in with an open mind and I am sure you will be given the answers you are seeking. Keep us posted. CathyHey Special!!! That is good newsKeep us posted!
Good luck,
Karen
That's great Special! Here's hoping you find an answer to the unexplained pain you've been having. Be sure and let us know what you find out!dear Special, hurrah!! for your good work. the holidays are coming and anyone who needs help needs! to set up appointments now! My doctor took 2 weeks off during my worst flare. (on Thanksgiving break) I couldn't get any help from him and he had no one else , except my GP, to phone. (there is another Rd in the area? Why he doesn't work with him is beyound me!)
So, get your appointments, soooon. Lynda
Same for december!
I hope you get some answers...good luck on MondayThanks. I know the answers might not come right away, but I am happy to be moving in the right direction.This may sound obvious, but make sure they do a lot of blood work. It took me more than three years to get a diagnosis because the neurologists and neurosurgeons found something (herniated discs) they believed with certainty was the problem, even though I was getting worse. Finally, a great neuro at Wake Forest had the smarts do blood work, and I finally got a diagnosis. So, if the doctor starts going off in a direction that does not involve blood work, insist on it anyway. Wish I was smart enough to have done that. I could have saved myself a lot of pain. How lucky for you that you found these boards early on. You'll get a lot of good help here. Good luck.Well done Special, go prepared with lots of questions (write them down if need be).
I am fully prepared to pepper the doctor with questions. I had a negative RF test, so I'm going to ask for the CCP(?) and the other one I can't think of right now. I've been keeping track of my symptoms from day to day and how things have progressed. I'm also kind of hoping for an MRI of at least one of my knees, because there is some wierd stuff going on in there. The left leg, which was fine at first, has now swollen up a lot above the knee. I was feeling pain in my lower quad yesterday, and now it's completely distorted. I have no idea what that's about. The bonus is, since my left knee hurts more now, the right one seems to feel better!
And yes, I feel so lucky to have found these boards right away. This is scary stuff, and I don't feel like i'm suffering alone, whatever is wrong with. Everyone here is awesome, and very inspiring!