RT appnmnt today | Arthritis Information

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Ok guys, so my first RT appointment was today. My doctor is Dr. Wild at the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of South Texas.
I think he's a little skeptical that I might have RA. he said i was pretty young.
When he came in he asked me how i've been feeling. I told him whats been hurting and that i dont really have any swelling, and that i have no stiffness.
He told me my blood work was abnormal. Which i knew but i didnt know exactly how. he said the Rheumatoid Factor was higher than average but in the very low area of the high range. so he's not very concerned about that yet. what he was concerned about it something he called "sediment" which he said way WAY above normal. think he said it was like 130. I think the normal for someone my age is around 30.
he checked my joints and reflexes, and asked what hurt. but of course nothing actually hurt while i was there. (its like when your cars broken, so you take it into the mechanic, and when youre there the car is fine) but i tried to explain to him that its been hurting, just not today for some strange reason. he said that the elevated numbers for my bloodwork could just be temporary, maybe caused by some infection. so he ordered more blood work to see if the numbers are still the same or have gone back to normal.
he told me to take aleve or ibuprofen (which ever works). so im gonna keep taking some ibuprofen cuz the aleve doesnt really do anything for me.
i have an appointment to see him again in 3 weeks.
so i guess till then, ill have to wait and see.

let me know what you guys think.
So I guess you are kinda in a holding pattern huh?  Hate that for you.

 
I can't believe he said you were to young....that's crazy!  I was 19 when I was finally diagnosed and there are many here who had JRA as a child.  I think it was the "you are too young" issue that prevented my diagnosis for so long.
 
Your sed rate is an indicator used for inflammation.  An can be elevated for a number of reasons. 
 
He didn't give you anything to take between now and then?  If you have another period where you are in alot of pain, either call him or see you regular dr.  3 weeks isn't very long, but is can seem like forever when you are hurting.
 
I hope it does turn out to be something different....
You are right about the car thing- I remember feeling so much worse than on the days of my appointments too. Even the time of day was a factor.
I think the fact that he is following up with more blood work is a good thing. I'd like to see him see you a little sooner then 3 weeks though. Sediment or ESR at 130 is pretty high- I think under 20 is normal range. Did he do a CRP test too? That is also an indicator for inflammation.
[QUOTE=rocckyd]So  [QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree] Did he do a CRP test too?
[/QUOTE]
um...i dont know. what does CRP stand for. he ran blood work for a bunch of stuff. he filled in a lot of bubbles on the form. lol.
C-Reactive Protein. I'm sure he probably did. I had blood tests for so many things in the beginning besides the RF... ANA, Lupus, Parvo, Lyme, Hep B, Hep C, on and on and on. Some of the tests are actually to make sure you haven't been exposed for future medicines you may have to take. No one told me and I was very very scared that they thought I had these things. Sorry, your appt did not go any better. I hope the 3 weeks flies by for you. I hate waiting periods!
Don't be brave about the ibprophen, if you need it, take it, and take enough to help. Record what you take so you can accurately report it at your next appt. In fact, a daily written account of symptoms in general, will provide more info for your dr.
CathyMarie 
Ditto to  the ridiculous comment about your age!!! It's so hard when yu have reason to question the dr.'s judgement. I wish we could just get clear instant and answers. RA doesnt work that way usually, but an RF and an elevated SED rate with your symptoms is pretty compelling.
You will need to keep asking and reading and learning. I recommend you ask for copies of your blood tests and look up the words online. Then go back to him with more questions. This is your life. And most current research shows treating early is better for many reasons. It can change the course of the disease. God bless you .
 
P.S. I also have no swelling any more. Have severe RA; very high blood tests...
Thank you.
Yes, tomorrow I am going to call my GP and ask them to send me a copy of my blood work. The RT showed me the one they faxed him, but I didnt get a very good look at it.
Im questioning him a little, but for the most part, I tell myself that he has been doing this for a really long time (i mean the guys like 80...lol). he knows what he's talking about. I really do believe that there is something wrong, and if RA fits, then I believe that I have it. Hopefully not, but I feel like theres something wrong. I hope my next visit tells more.
Thanks again for your input. =]

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