My iron is low and now I have to take 325 mg iron tablet a day. When I looked up iron deficeincy on Webmd.com it listed causes and it mentioned RA. What does RA have to do with low iron? Anyone else have this happen. I got my call the other day with my 1st Rheumatology appt. it is December 28 at 2:00pm. I can't believe I got an appt. that fast and that soon. I was diagnoes with Bursitis in my shoulder and that was the reason I went to the PCP and I end up having blood drawn twice and referred to 2 different specialists. Imagine that. I thought I was healthy. I played up my being run down and hurting to chasing a 4 year old and a 16 month old around all day. Well, theres my life story. Sorry it was so long. I never introduced myself so there is a little. Also, I'm 29 years old and married to a man that doesn't understand me and thinks I'm lazy because I'm always tired and wanting to sleep or rest. I can't get through to him. How did you do it? Should I make him go with me to the Rheumatology appt. Thanks for listening.
Katina
Eeek! I don’t know how you do it all!
As for your husband – why don’t you print out the thread between the members and “Hutch327” re “insensitive spouse” and give it to him, for starters. What I tell those close to me is to think back to when they had a really bad flu and every joint screamed. Remember how tired they were? How they couldn’t go to work? How they felt miserable? Nauseous? Well, how would they like to feel like that all the time? And with two young kids, no less!
I’d sure as heck try to get him to accompany you to the rheumatologist’s vist, especially if he has test results and will be talking about treatment.
Iron and RA:
This has to do with mycrocytic anemia found in arthritis patients. See http://www.rcpa.edu.au/applications/DocumentLibraryManager2/ upload/Microcytic%20anaemia%20in%20arthritis.pdf
Low BP:
This is caused by a zillion and one things, so I won’t even go there.
Bursitis:
RA can make someone susceptible to Bursitis.
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sportsmedicine/a/blbursitis. htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/hip_bursitis/article.htm
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/bursitis.a sp
I’d just like to say that I’m older with no young children in the house. RA is hard enough without being an active parent. So I really admire you for getting down to business and getting diagnosis, appointments, etc. The sooner you have the facts and a treatment program, the better things will be.
And please, if you do nothing else, set aside a little time for yourself with no interruptions every day. Your mental well-being is very important. “I don’t have time” is no excuse, if that’s what you were thinking. You need to make time.
And please keep us posted.