I Went to The Doctor Today | Arthritis Information

Finally I saw a doctor after 3 years. He is a family doctor and very nice and thorough. He gave me a EKG (is that right, for the heart), lung xrays, pap smear, breast exam and examined all my joints, at least 3 times. He told me to eat dinner either tomorrow or the next day and not eat anything else and come into the lab at 8:30AM to get my bloodwork done. My heart and lungs are okay but my blood pressure was a little high (when I test it at home it never is). I have a history of cysts in my breasts and he felt some and wanted me to schedule a mammogram. I did for Monday.

I told him I was taking naproxen for the RA and it was working okay for the pain when I walk. I told him at least I could get around on them. He said he wanted me to take 1 in the AM and 1 at PM. He also gave me a prescription for a pill for my stomach while on it. He said I have severe RA and he is going to make an emergency appointment for me to see a Rhematologist. He said Rhemy's in this area are swamped. He wants me to come back in next Wednesday to go over my tests and hopefully have my appt. set for the RA dr. I told him about my fears and he was very caring but said he thinks I would do well on some of the new RA meds out. He said your hand is already deformed and soon you won't be able to hold anything. That scared me cause he's probably right. I guess I feel better knowing I'm on the road to something.

I hope everything gets sorted for you ASAP and your mammogram is ok. With Active RA you really do need to be on the right treatment snd something that controls the disease as well as anti inflammatories such as naproxen. I hope you get to see a rheumy soon.