Newbie Confused and Scared | Arthritis Information

 

Hello everyone.  I've been researching RA and decided to just come and ask the ones who know the most - people that actually live with RA.  I am a 47 y/o female, post menopausal.  I developed fibromyalgia about 3 years ago -- 3 months after that passing of my mother who lived with me -- we were VERY close.  Anyhow, now that I've adapted to the fibro, I'm having new problems.  It hit me quite suddenly, pain everywhere that somehow seemed different than before, but I thought perhaps it's just a worse spell than I am used to.  Then I developed a thumb that does this clicking thing (like turning a light switch on and off) in the mornings or after a nap.  More recently, I've developed lumps, bumps (boney type lumps) under the skin at the finger joints and one on my foot near the toe joint.  I feel like all the glue that holds me together is virtually disintigrating, literally.  I'm having extremely terrible pain -- hands, feet, wrists, arms, elbows, knees, up and down my legs, hips, etc.  I've noticed that my muscles tire very easily.  I walk to the post office about 6 blocks there and 6 back and I'm done.  My leg muscles then ache and feel like they are on the verge of quivering from over exertion.  That is just ludicrous.  I am 47 and while I may not be in the best of shape, I could certainly complete a 12 block walk with no problem.  I'm wondering, does this sound like RA to you?  I get like these spasms in my eye, neck pains, oh my list just goes on and on and on.  If it is RA, what exactly does that mean....I mean really.  In everyday life.  Cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, working, etc.  I know what the doctor will tell me -- but I'd really like to hear from someone who lives it.  What is it really like to have RA?  Please, if you find time, I would love to hear your experiences.

Pain and Fatigue can be caused by many different issues the best thing you can do is to go see your dr and see what is going on.  It is far too early to worry about something like RA.  The symptoms can be caused by thyroid issues, poor nutrition, a virus, etc..really way too many things to even hazzard a guess and frankly we won't be doing you any favors by volunteering something. I'd be very specific with your doctor and ask to be tested for RA if for no other reason than to rule it out.
Sounds as if those lumps/bumps you mention need to be x ray'd to find out what is going on.

These symptoms you mention after walking are what I suffer from but that does not mean that you have RA.
You really need this to be investigated properly...
If by chance you do have RA then the sooner you get onto the proper medication to control it, the better.

Ra is not the end of the world, it can be controlled in most cases.
It does mean that you will have to adapt to a different life style and only do what you can do, not what everybody else might expect you to do.
Hello and welcome! I'm basically going to echo what everyone else has said: get yourself to a doc to have the appropriate workup done. I wouldn't worry about a "how-to" until you find out for sure what your diagnosis is. :)   Thank you all for the information and yes, I really do still miss my mother an extreme amount she was an amazing woman and I was fortunate to have had her.  In any event, I think the doctor is going to tell me pretty much the same thing he told me with fibro, only right now, it seems much worse than the fibro....that it's just something we have to try to manage, there's going to be good days and bad and that's just the way it is.  Although he was sympathetic, there's no cure and it's not fun was the basic summation.  My fibro diagnosis came from my GP who then sent me a rheumatologist who confirmed it and basically told me the same thing my gp had already told me.  I've done as I was instructed exercised more to try to strengthen my muscles...as I said before I was walking the 12 blocks to the post office instead of driving, this was after the lumps had already appeared.  I am going to see the rheumatologist I just like to know what I (may) be dealing with so that I am prepared with questions.  If I don't know anything about RA or other types of arthritis, I don't really know enough to ask specific questions as it may relate to my life and activities.  Anyhow, you've all confirmed what I already knew and that is that indeed a trip to rheumy is in my near future.  And Stephen thank you very much for giving me some insight in the event my worst fears come true at least you've given me hope that maybe I'm really not coming unglued. Hello and welcome. As with so many things in this life, with any autoimmune disorder you do what you have to do to keep active, feel as well as possible, have a reasonable amount of control over the process of living, and a modicum of autonomy.

The current thinking with RA is early and aggressive treatment. That can, and does, mean different therapies for different people. Fortunately we live in a time of great progress in treating autoimmune disorders and new therapies are being introduced at a rate never before seen.

I encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible with your rheumatologist. Keep a daily diary as Buckeye suggested, read through some of the discussions taking place right here to begin to formulate your questions.

As Bodak said, RA is not the end of the world, but should that be anyone's diagnosis treatment becomes imperative.

Best wishes, Shug
I really have nothing to add to the above advice but I'd like to say Hi and welcome to the forum.  LindyHello

I have sent you a private message

Jeanine
That's a really sad screen name. I think all bases have been covered for you but I wanted to say hi & welcome.Just another Hello and Welcome to the forum!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com