New...no diagnoses | Arthritis Information
Hello,
My name is Cindy and I'm a mom to 4 boys. I have had numerous health issues over the years and now my family doctor is throwing around FM, rheumatoid arthritis and OA. I don't know much about this I must say.
From reading the posts it sounds like he may be right on track. Here are some of the things I've dealt with in my life: I developed a very serious stomach bug while working as a counselor during the summer of 1988. Ironically, I got bit by something in my right breast the night before I became violently ill. I was in and out of the ER for 3 days until I was finally admitted. I had lost 25 pounds in 4 days! My doctor dismissed my questions about Lyme disease and to this day have never been tested. I was in the hospital one week, came home on a Thursday. Friday morning I woke up to symptoms of having a stroke. I did indeed have a full blown stroke at the age of 22. Luckily for me, I have had no residue side effects except some memory issues.
I have a history of IBS, I have miltral valve prolapse. I was diagnosed with Graves disease and subsequently had my thyroid removed. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2002. I have a history of endometriosis and adnomyosis and have had a total hysterectomy in Sept of 2033. Since my hysterectomy I have had continuous back pain. In Sept of 04 it was so bad I couldn't walk. Because of my history I was sent for various scans. My MRI showed degenerative disk disease and a bulging disk at L4-L5. It also showed a fracture a little higher in my back (even though I had done nothing). Bone scan showed "hot spot" on my sacral bones. This prompted many more doctors visits and more tests to determine if I had a metastatic problem going on. Throughout this time I was given vicodin, neurotin, mobic, physical therapy, epidural injections, spinal injections and hip injections. I was diagnosed with bursitis as well and my weight had crept up to a point of being unhealthy. I was told to exercise and lose weight but that was not an easy feat for me. You see, not only was I in pain everyday but with no thyroid losing weight is just about impossible. I've struggled with depression over all of this. It took exactly a year, but I finally got the confirmation that I don't have a metastases but no-one can tell me exactly what is causing the pain.
I have begun having massage therapy every 2 weeks. This has been a true blessing for me. I live for my massages! :) I feel so wonderful after he does his magic however, the pain always returns. I take vicodin regularly. The vicodin does help me however I hate taking it. I shouldn't though because it is the only thing that allows me to take care of my boys and the house.
A couple of things I've notice dover the years and have never said anything about: I can't put my hair up into a pony tail or anything on my head without resting. My arms ache to do this simple chore. I also find my legs to be weak. I'm told to ride a bike but my legs get so tired. I wonder now if this is all related. I'm trying to walk on the treadmill but my toes go numb! How much more can one girl take?! :) You'd think I would be really depressed but my massage therapist and the counselor I am seeing help keep me sane.
I did see my pain mgmt doctor yesterday who is recommending another epidural injection (which I don't believe I am going to have). He also recommended I start on glucosamine, magnesium and tumeric. I'm willing to give it a shot.
Here are some of my blood work results from Nov '04...any feedback is welcomed:
ALK-phosphatase: 58 range 50-136
C-reaktive protein <0.05 range <0.8
Rheumatoid factor 29.5 range 0.0-30.0
sed rate 19 normal 0-20
HLA typing B27 antigen not detected
Last time I had blood work my WBC was flagged 4.1 range 4.8-10.8 My WBC is always low either the last number in normal or a little bit below.
RBC 4.51 range 4.20-6.10
HGB 11.8 range 12.0-18.0
HCT 36.6 range 37.0-52.0
MCV 81.1 range 80.0-99.0
MCH 26.2 range 27.0-31.0
If you've read this whole thing, thanks!
Cindy
Hello Cindy,
Welcome. I'm new here too...just joined yesterday and everyone is so friendly
It sounds like you've really had a hard time with it. I've lived with RA for the past 11 years and life at times if difficult.
We'll all look forward to talking to you more in the days and weeks to come. Keep coming back...it's good to talk with others who share simular situations.
You also might want to have your family doctor refer you to a rheumatologist if you haven't seen one. They might be able to give you a better picture of what is going on.
I second the motion to see a rheumatologist. They are your best chance for a correct diagnosis and then correct treatment. These kind of diseases can be difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Good luck and let us know how things work out.
dyna38445.9045138889Thanks. I am seeing a rheumatologist on April 21st. Hopefully he will be able to tell me why I feel like crude all the time!
Cindy
Cindyx4 ,Sorry for all the pain you have been through !! I too will testify to the wonders of massages !I feel they helped keep me in remission when I was taken off Remicade . Unfortuneately I my theripist moved and I did'nt get another one for over a year and now I am paying for it. I'm getting back to the program of massages once a week and hope soon it will start beating back the RA ( 21 yrs) .Good Luck !!
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