when to see a doctor | Arthritis Information
Hi All,
I am having some early signs of RA, and I'm not sure when I need to go see a doctor about it. I have pain in all my finger joints/knuckes on both hands, and the joints are red and a bit swollen and hot to the touch. I have had the pain off and on for maybe a year --it would last a few days and I always chalked it up to too much knitting and didn't pay too much attention. The redness may have been going on at the same time, but I never paid any attention as I have Raynauds and just assumed it was that. Recently a friend with Raynauds pointed out that her 'red painful hands' lasts a few minutes after she has an attack, whereas I am seeing days to weeks of this. The last 3 weeks I've had pain every day, although it waxes and wanes over the course of the day. I have the morning stiffness--actually all day stiffness, which means I constantly drop things (broke 3 dishes in 1 week). I've also been tired during this "spell".
Other relevent info--I have celiac, and autoimmune diseases are common as weeds in my family, including one grandma with RA. I'm female and 35.
I'm not sure if I need to see a doc for several reasons:
1) The pain isn't "that bad" most of the time (I've had chronic pain from other things for years, so my scale's a bit skewed), and when it does bother me a topical NSAID takes the edge off (although it does NOT remove the pain entirely)
2) I've had a lot of bad experiences with docs (15 years of misdiagnosis of celiac, for starters) so I'm a bit leery
3) I currently live in Switzerland and will be returning to the US in the next year. I'm worried about getting insurance coverage when I get back, and wondering if I can just hold off another 6 or 8 months before getting an official diagnosis since I'm clearly at the early stages (if I even have RA!)
I know that early dx and tx of RA is really important, so I'm on the fence about going in. Advice would be most welcome!
Ooooh, you're in a bind. I'd hold off because of the insurance situation - but that's me. Early diagnosis and preventative medicine will help you a lot in the long run.
If you're Celiac, are you using a Celiac diet? No gluten etc. That should really cut your inflammation level and allow you to buy the time until you get insurance.
Pip
P.S. Hi and Welcome!
[QUOTE=Pip!]
If you're Celiac, are you using a Celiac diet? No gluten etc. That should really cut your inflammation level and allow you to buy the time until you get insurance.
Pip
P.S. Hi and Welcome!
[/QUOTE]
Thanks! I'm very strictly gluten free--I was bummed to see all the celiacs whose RA went away when they went GF. I almost feel like I'm seeing RA *because* I'm GF--like my immune system no longer gets to attack my gut, so it's bored and setting its sights on something new. Sigh. I have been glutened 3 or 4 times since diagnosis, but in the brainfog maelstrom that follows glutening I didn't happen to notice if the joint pain also flared up. I'm pretty certain I haven't been exposed this month, though, so I think that's not the culprit.
Have you looked into delayed onset food allergies? Maybe something else is also a culprit.
Pip
For me, one of the big references I used that I had RA (runs in the family) is how I felt in the morning. If you get up and feel like you've been hit by a truck for the first 30-60 min. then slowly feel better throughout the day, thats a sign. Everyone seems to be different. Best wishes.Your joints may be undergoing irreversible damage right now. Do they have
social medicine in Switzerland? Can you go get treatment there? Yes, you
may have problems getting insured when you get back but the insurance
company can only put a preexisting condition on your policy for a certain
period of time, usually a year. Many of the non biologics are pretty
reasonably priced. I know plaq is cheap. If you could go on some of the low
level DMARDS, that may work but also get you through the insurance period.
It is important to start treatment to prevent damage. The other thing is,
before you get an official diagnosis, please purchase a life insurance policy
and disability policy if you can afford it. Once you get this diagnosis, you
will not qualify for an individual policy. Good luck.if you do have RA waiting is the absolute worst thing you can do. make an appt and figure out what is going onKnowing first hand the _hidden_ damage that can take place with delayed diagnosis and treatment, my suggestion would be to see a physician as soon as possible. However, only you can evaluate the many possibilities and decide which pathway to take right now and in the immediate future.
Best wishes. Happ
I would suggest you get seen by a doctor now. I would hate to think that joint damage could be taking place. Let us know how you are. Love, JuliaOh this is so helpful!
I do have insurance here, but was worried about covering the gap regarding pre-existing conditions and not knowing how much the meds cost.
I also didn't realize the damage might be hidden or starting so early--this is just why I wanted to ask the experts!
And I'm looking into some disability insurance plans immediately.
I'm in agreement with those who say don't wait to see the doctor. I understand your hesitation with the insurance and all, but I think that in the future you will reget having waited if you're joints are being damaged now and you do nothing.
Hey, fellow gluten intolerant person!
For people who have celiac disease and who still seem to have issues (if you do now have an autoimmune disease, you're still having issues), there is more diet manipulation you can do to help heal the damage caused by the celiac disease. In fact, I am doing it now.
You can check out some of it on my blog if you are interested. The diet in question, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, is something you follow strictly for a year or so, and then you can go back to being regular old gluten free as long as you tolerate all the substitute foods. At least, that is the theory. I and a few other people who have RA are trying this.
EDIT: And yes, you definitely should see a doctor right away, just like the other people said. Early treatment is key to avoiding joint damage. :)
Susan :)
http://scdgirl.blogspot.com
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