Hi to all,
I've been having a hard time. My RA doc had cut me down to 5mg of mtx per week as he feels that I don't have RA. I've been tired and my joints have been complaining, so I went out a got some otc folic acid. I started to take 1 400mcg pill a day. I started to feel better until these past few days. My feet are soooo swollen and it won't go down. My toes are starting to turn to the side or hammer toe. I've got sores in between 2 of my toes and I have indentions on my feet from where my sock top hits the leg/ankle area. My ankle is warm to the touch too. I'm going back to the way I was before I went to my first RA doc.
Then on top of all of this the shoulder that was operated on and getting better has had a set back. So I'm in pain from that. I called the shoulder doc to see if I could change my appointment, but they couldn't get me in. I'm just afraid that I'm facing more surgery.
Today, I went to get my bloodwork done for my RA appointment, next week, and the lab tech was given the wrong paperwork so they drew my blood twice! She didn't have the correct tube for one of the tests.
The only good thing that happen was that I finally found a new chair for my living room. The old one is falling apart and I had to place a pillow on the seat to make it higher so that I could get up out of it easier.
Thanks for listening and letting me vent.
MarisaI'm so sorry you're going through this Marisa. What does your doctor think is going on then if he thinks it's not RA? Sounds like RA to me. I hope you start to feel better soon.
are you taking anything other than mtx?? are you taking anti-inflammatories?? even otc ones?? does anything help?
hope you feel better and get some answers.....
sometimes.. not knowing is the worst thing.
woobieWhat a nightmare. Hope things get better for you soon.
Agree, it sounds like RA especially if your shoulders are hurting too. If it gets worse, any of it before you can see the doctor, I hit urgent care or the ER. That's when doctors take more notice. Sounds like this one isn't. We should have a doctor doll that we can put pins and needles in so that they can feel our pain. The good ones are wonderful. The bad ones, well, this is too nice a place for comments like that. Hang in there. Elevate your feet and soak them. Try the sports creme. Ice pack or heat pack, which ever feels better. Oh, just take them off and get a new pair! Don't you wish you could? Also facing possible shoulder surgery. Really worried about it. Any advice? Marisa, Thank you so much for explaining what you went through. I may have some decision in what happens and when. Just hearing about all that up and down, up and down will inspire me further through my physical therapy. But PT guys didn't sound too encouraging because I can't do most of the things they have me tryings. And, a massage brings tears streaming down my face despite my best efforts. The funny thing is only certain things kill me. A full day working on the computer puts in severe pain. Driving also. But I am in the middle of moving (great timing) and the cleaning and packing seem to help. Maybe it's just my excitement of moving into a new place that's finally mine. But thank you so much for the overview. There wasn't anything like that description on the web. Up and down. Change channel. Up and down. I will remember that. Hope yours is taken care of soon. Marisa, Am feeling for you. Had to fire my RA and get a new one. Best thing I did. Wish I had done it earlier. They miss diagnosed me and it was too late to fix my hands. That is where it started. Have had joint erosion on my fingers and have one finger completely fused and wear ring splints to slow the damage done in two of the others. The other had has a screw in the top part of one of the fingers and more surgery to come. Just holding off as long as we can. We will replace some of the joints when we do it. Such fun! Anyhow, enough about me, please take charge of yourself---ask questions and if they don't listen or answer them, then go somewhere else. I have to drive about 1 1/2 hours now instead of 20 minutes but boy is it worth it! Good luck and will be thinking about you. dyan
Take care. If the MTX was working, and they cut the dose and it's not working, I really don't understand the drs. reasoning. Who cares what he calls it, as long as he's treating you. That's his job. When the symptoms come roaring back, he's not doing his job. Put your (achey) foot down, Marisa Sue! He's not the one dealing with the pain here. I hope things turn around for you.
I am sorry you are going through this. Hang in there. It sure sounds like RA. I wonder too what he thinks you have? I am honestly shocked at some of the stories I read on here about
doctors and RA. I really hope you get some relief, no matter what
is going on with you. That is no way to live. Hang in there.
Marisa, I think a new rheumatologist is what you need!!!!!! Sounds just like RA. Careful with the folic acid, even though it is good for you, it lessens the effects of mtx. I am glad you got a new chair, comfy chairs make all the difference. Maybe you can paint your walls Feel better Please. My ankle has gone down somewhat but is still puffy and warm. I go see the RA doc on Thursday. I've made a list of questions to ask him and hopefully, I'll get some answers.
Have to go take my advil, zantac, and allergy med. Plus typing makes my shoulder hurt and I'm so slow doing it with one hand.
Have a great weekend.
MarisaFeel better soon and let us know what the doc says. Hugs and good vibes.
My shoulder problem isn't RA. It's from a injury. I've had a arthroscopy done and that seem to take care of the problem but it wasn't a fix all.
Shoulder surgery isn't fun to have. With the arthroscopy, they punched 3 holes into me to place the scope in to see what was going on. They also did a nerve block too. (just means that you can't move nor feel anything with the arm/hand until the block wears off) Was in a shoulder immobilizer with this pain ball thing in/on the shoulder. Didn't feel too much pain but then I was pretty well doped up. The fun part was using this chair that made your arm move for you, up and down, for six hrs a day. Each day I had to increase the degree of flexation by 5 but no more than 10. So there I would sit with my arm going up/down, up/down, up/down, grab the TV remote with my good hand, flip thru the channels, up/down, up/down, how many more hours to go.... This went on for 4 wks. When they came to pick up that chair, I couldn't get the guy to get it out fast enough.
The physical therapy wasn't to bad. The wall walking was something else and yes it would hurt but it was only because I hadn't use my muscles for sometime. I did just as they told me and I had gain almost all of my range of motion until something popped when I rolled over in bed the other week. Since than the shoulder is hurting and I can't move it like I did before it popped.
Deanna, if you do have shoulder surgery, just do as they tell you and it will be fine.
Marisa
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