Hi! I just wanted to say that I just signed up today after many visits to this site. I was diagnosed with RA in Sept. 05. I woke up with very painful, red, swollen fingers and thumbs. I couldn't even pull up my pants after using the bathroom! I went to urgent care thinking I had an infection. The Dr. said I had cellulitis and put me on antibiotics. I finished the meds as directed without any relief. I went back to urgent care and was checked out by another dr. who sent me for blood work and xrays. My RA test was 129! He proceeded to tell me I had RA! I was under the impression that it was for old people. I'm only 39! The dr. set me up with a RA Specialist (which took a couple of months to get an appointment) HE also put me on relafen and gave me vicodin for pain. I have had my own cleaning business for 15 or more years and have had many different aches and pains that I thought were related to my over working my body. WAS I WRONG!!!! I finally saw the Rheumy dr and have tried several meds (planquenil, sulfasalazine, methotrexate) all of which I either didn't work or I was allergic to. I have also had pericarditis twice and appendicitis. I got on the web to find out as much info as I could and came across this web site. It has been a wealth of very useful information!!! I am now taking minocycline and I think it is working somewhat. I don't have as much pain and stiffness in the morning as I used to. The pain has traveled all over my body. From my jaw down to my feet. My business has suffered and I went from cleaning 9 houses to 2. My sister was staying here(She was in hurricane Katrina and lost her home) she has been the only thing keeping me going. She has helped me to continue to work. She finally went back to Mississippi today and now I have to find some other type of work. This website has been a God send!! I can so relate to alot of the things posted!!
Hi CinDee!
Welcome!
You have quite a story! I am sorry you suffer with RA. I am glad you have found this site, too! (I am guessing someone may have already redirected you to the RA category lower on the board? If they have not, please do post there. I had introduced myself here somewhere, too! Someone came along and was kind anough to advise me to move to the Ra section! So... if you have not done so, please do! Many people stay within that area of the board!
Glad you are here!
Blessings!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com