I'm new Please help! *my update* | Arthritis Information
My original message is below this update!
My Rumetologist called me into her office yesterday cause I placed myself on her cancelation list ( thanks all for that suggestion)
She says that it is not arthritis instead she is about 98% sure that its
reflex sympathetic dystrophy
I will get confirmation within a month,
after I get a bone scan and MRI done.
Does anyone have any advice? I dont know where to go to get support!
I'm a little freaked out by this...
my original message
Posted: 01�May�2009 at 10:14pm
I came here in hopes of getting some answers, advice and of course, some support.
I used to get from time to time cramping in my hands but nothing that you would go see a Dr about….
Until 2 mths ago when all hell broke loose, I was getting a really bad pain in my thumb and within 15 min my thumb was 3x the size of my other, with pain that I had never experienced before. I went to the emerg dept at the local hospital the dr thought it was a finger infection gave me some antibiotics and pain killers and asked me too come back the following day to get a second opinion.
The following day dr# 2 told me I had Dequirviens syndrome, took me off the antibiotics and gave me Naproxen to take with the painkillers and put a partial cast on my arm and referred me to a hand surgeon to see later that week.
The pain and swelling was very intense to say the least, I have seen this hand surgeon now on two separate occasions:
The first visit we changed the prescription from naproxen to celebrex
Second visit I had cortisone shot as well as a full hard cast put on my arm (for 6 weeks)
The relief was almost instant after the shot, the swelling went down within hours, and the pain went from unbearable to a dull ache, which lasted only for a week. the pain was unbearable yet again, and the swelling came back
I went to emerg again…
This Dr gave me a 5-day prescription for prednisone, more painkillers, a referral to Internal medicine, by the next day the swelling went down, and the pain went from unbearable to a dull ache. I have since run out of the prednisone and yes as you can guess the swelling and pain are back yet again!
It has now only been a couple of days since seeing this internal medicine dr
Who thinks I might have RA and is in the process of referring me to a Rheumatologist Whom will be receiving my results from blood work and x-rays and giving me an appointment.
Does this really sound like RA? I thought that RA was gradual and developed slowly over time.
oh my... Sorry you have this DX......
looks like something that those of us w/ PN can develop.
What is your feeling about this prognosis? Do you think he made the right DX? any meds or physical therapy planned??
Yikes. I've never heard of it either so I looked it up too. Sorry you got hit with this. I wish I could be some help to you.unfortunatly yes i think it might be the right dx
I tell ya I'm so scared, cause i have very little info on it i dont really know what to expect
Is it in the arthritis family of conditions?
My dr wants to wait until after the tests before starting the meds for it
RSD is more neurological than rheumatolgical. You might check out this site for more infor
Jill, I am so sorry for your diagnosis! I don't know anything about this disease either, but want to wish you well on your journey through the doctor rounds! It can be so frustrating trying to find answers and help! Try your best to manage your stresses right now, it can only help. Maybe check into some meditation?
((((Jill)))) All the best to you. Please keep in touch!
Jill, this sounds like a difficult journey ahead of you. Would you mind letting us know about what's going on with you in a month when you have answers and a treatment plan? I'll keep you in my prayers.
CathyMarie
Thank you all for your kind responses...
I will give you all updates, and yes please do keep me in your prayers!
I guess you all don't mind me hanging out here, It really does help being here to keep me sane
Jill - I don't know about RSD, but I wanted to wish you well. I would assume the sooner you get your scan and MRI, the sooner you will get your results. I also encourage you to get a second opinion. Also, Paula Abdul has RSD. Please stay here and let us know how you are doing and what you find out. Jill, my very best wishes to you.
For Grace is a site where women with RSD, and other chronic pain conditions, can find research articles, personal stories, and become part of the network to raise awareness.
Never even heard of that....but wishing you well.
Don't know anything about RSD either but will keep you in my prayers. *Gentle Hugs*
I never heard of it either and it's scary to think just how many things are lurking around for people to get. I wish you all the best and certainly come here to talk whenever you want.Well, make sure to keep your mind open and try as hard as possible to be patient.
I was diagnosed with RSD in 2000 for foot pain. I was put on Celebrex, eventually went off of it but had to stop running because of the "RSD".
My wrist flared up like nothing else in 2007. I was first diagnosed with De Queravins. Then later diagnosed (by MRI) with inflammatory arthritis and finally RA. I am seronegative with asymettrical involvement so it took a while.
The RSD diagnosis was wrong, and I haven't found any doctor that thinks it was right. It was probably early RA.
Take care, and make sure to ask lots of questions, and always get a second opinion.
I forgot to mention, that my RSD was diagnosed from a bone scan...albeit a second rheumy's reading of the first rheumy's scan...the first one saw nothing wrong. And my RA was dx from an MRI, because I had so much joint fluid that showed up on the MRI, there was no question that it was inflammatory arthritis.
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