Hello,
I'm a 25 yo female who is suspected of having Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'll admit to knowing very little about the disorder, other than that it is an auto-immune disease. I have had some labs ordered (blood and urine) that will be done on Jan 31st, and then I meet back with my General Practitioner on Feb 5th to go over the results.
I have been dx'd with pleurisy without an infection. I've had it for over a month now. It goes away with painkillers, which is how we've ruled out it being acid reflux, cardiac, or anxiety-related. I also have been having joint pain for over a year now, getting progressively worse since the pleurisy started. Wrists and hands are worse, also spine - knees and hips hurt a bit, as well as elbows and shoulders on really "bad days." Some days are worse than others (particularly cold ones - I live in Wisconsin!). There is no family history of RA, only osteoarthritis.
I guess I'm confused, concerned, and scared. I wonder what my labs will reveal. What if I have it? What if I don't? I don't really know what to expect either way. All I know is that I am in a lot of pain and I need it to stop.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate your time.
Star
P.S. - Is it normal/possible to get extreme fatigue from the joint pain with RA?
Welcome to the board.
Sorry, do not have much to say. Except... yes you can have extereme fatigue from RA. Most people's complains is the fatiuge. But of course the pain and stiffness are top on the list.
Hope your blood work tells ya what ya got.
Good Luck! Please keep us posted.
Sorry to hear you are in pain. Yes fatigue is a big part of this disease for me. It never seems to go away! Good Luck with your labs and I hope you get the answers you need. I'm glad you found this forum. The people here are so kind and truly understand what we are going through.
Lori
Hi Star and welcome. Fatigue is a big part of ra for me. It has gotten better the last couple of months after I started taking enbrel injections once a week. I live in central IL so I know how the cold affects people with ra. I hope your blood tests come back fine but sometimes your ra factor may be negative and you could still have ra. After you get your results, let us know. We all care and there are lots of nice people here that are very smart and can help you out about test results or tell what website to go to.
Best wishes and take care
Joonie & arris I can't imagine having this disesae as long as you both have had it. It looks as though you have been able to keep your sence of humor. Where mine is starting to slip some what.
Shot I have terrible fatigue with a lot of pain. Newly dx ,but have suspected of having it for a while, believed my RD dropped the ball when was treating me for fm. Iam new to the site and have met some really nice people. Take care. of your self Shot keep in touch.
Hi and welcome to the board. Sorry to hear that you are in pain, but it sounds like you have a good plan going.Star,
I'm right there with ya. I'm undiagnosed for now. Going to another Rh Doc in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll have better luck with this one, as I had bad luck with the first.
Welcome to the boards, and good luck with everything.
I and welcome.
I sure hope you get some answers. And get the help you need.
Just wanted to say welcome to the board. I think most have fatigue with thisGreat post Happ, as usual.
Welcome star! Fatigue is there for me as well, and I haven't gotten to the acceptance phase just yet, but I am trying.I have been dx'd about 3-4 years and I thought we had the right combo of meds. Hopefully this is just a flare. And a short one at that.
I had so many things I needed to do today and all I have managed is to get up, take my meds and put the dogs out. Who turned off the heat outside?????? I am not getting up until we hit 30 degrees. sheesh...it could be awhile.
Hey Star...can't really add much to what's been said already, but I can add this~ Welcome