2nd RD visit tommorow | Arthritis Information

 

Well everyone I have been reading and asking questions on this site now for about a week.  I have learned way more than i imagined about this disease good and bad (really bad).  I have my second RD appt. tommorow and am not sure of what if anthing I really need to tell or ask her.  I am actually feeling really blessed and a bit like a hypocondriac after reading your post.  I have very little to no swelling, some pain but not unbearable, some stiffness but not anything I cannot live with.  I was already on antidepressants so I am not depressed, and I am fatigued but nothing to the extent of what some of you are fighting.  I am not sure if I just have caught this very early and that is why I am not worse or if I am just a wimp and whining about something that could be so much worse.  I have been reading your post about all of the meds that are available and which ones are helping with your symptoms.  None of my symptoms seem nearly bad enough to ask for any of these meds.  I really am not sure if I should be doing anything right now since I seem to be just sticking my toe in this water.  What are some of the things I should listen for the RD to say tomorrow?  She will be going over details of the blood work she did 2 weeks ago and the xrays of my hands and feet to check for damage already done by the ra.  I am sure there isn't any or I surely would have more pain.  I apologize if this sounds like I wish I had worse symptoms I do not and I pray for relief for everyone on this board from their pain.  I guess I am just nervous and not sure if I should even be starting this battle.  Maybe I can just retreat and wait until it gets more evident and then deal with it.  Oh well thanks for listening I guess my fear of the unknown is surfacing.  On one of the other post I read someone saying that they wondered if type A personality's were prone to this disease.  I think they may be onto something because I too am an A personality.  I really am not fond of surprises and am a bit of a control freak so this not knowing or being in control of my own health is a bit unnearving for me. 

2angelsmom38936.3553819444HI!!   OK first off, just because your symptoms don't seem to be near as bad as others, don't discount your own pain and uncomfortableness.  You know your body better than anyone and you went to the Dr because something wasn't right!!  

I too don't have major swelling, hot spots, disabling joint pain.  I don't have erosions of the hands or feet, my xrays came back normal.  All my blood work comes back normal and has for years.  BUT, I HURT!!!!  I'm stiff in the mornings, sometimes it takes me over an hour before I can walk almost normally.  

Catching this disease at an early onset and treating it aggressively is the best thing you can do for yourself.  RD's just don't put patients on meds to appease them, as these meds can come with some pretty scarey side effects, but the benefits outweigh the side effects in my opinion. 

Think to yourself, is your pain, fatigue, etc effecting your normal daily life?   If it is, then don't worry about thinking yourself  a hypo because you're not as bad off as some others on here. 

Talk to your Dr. ask questions and listen to what she has to say...  process the information, come here ask questions...  It's a scarey thing!!  I know... as do the rest of us!!! 

*hugs*  Terri
Terri thank you for your response it helps to hear that i am not the only one on here without major symptoms.  I reread my post and now that I have had a nap I feel much better than I did.  I went on a 3hr trail ride with my daughter and her friend yesterday and there are several creeks to ride through that a month ago would not have fazed me yesterday however, it just seemed a little rougher than usual.  This morning I slept in (hard to move) and went right to the computer so once I got up and started moving I realized oh crap now I hurt.  I took a nap not by choice I sat down to read and woke up 45 min later.  I am not as tired now but I am feeling the pain from riding yesterday.   So when you said how is your pain and fatique affecting your life that made that light bulb in my head turn on.  I have had a few good days with little pain or fatigue and I guess I overdid it yesterday and so today I think maybe I do have this disease.  I guess I am still holding out hope that there has been a misdiagnosis.  When I read how bad it can be and I look at me I think well maybe I don't have this.  But as I sit here with my back and shoulders and knees aching and so tired I think I could sleep a week I get a sinking feeling that it probably is true.  I know I sound like a nutcase ready for the looney bend.  I cannot imagine what my family thinks of all of this.  Mom is fine one day and acting like a decrepid old lady the next.   I do appreciate that there is a place I can write all of this out it kind of helps put things in perspective if only for my warped mind.....

Just sit down, focus on yourself, not on the rest of us. Make a list of what is important to you to know at this very point. Your doctor is going to be asking questions, examining you, taking blood. All these things tell her something.

I know many times I would be feeling better and bounce into my doctor's office and ask if I could come down on this medicine or that one. He'd hold his hand up and "hold on, let's just give this some time."

Then, I'd be back in there with some other problem and be awfully glad he didn't change anything.

RA is a really seesay disease. Some people don't get it as bad as others. And, that' s great. But it doesn't mean it hasn't changed your life and what you can do. Some people were able to run marathons in the past, now they struggle to walk. Yet, they don't show a lot of damage.

Don't minimize your illness. We all wish it would go away even after we've had for years and have dozens of tests to prove that we have it. I still don't want to believe it.

You are just fine. You should speak up when things are bothering you. Because someone else has already been through it and they might have the answer you need to feel better.

Thank you for your kind words, I guess I really need to cowgirl up and handle it.  I have it now let's get it under control and minimize future damage.  Which sounds a lot easier than I am sure it is.  I usually don't stay down long without finding a alternate way around a problem.  So I just need to get mad and find a way around these obstacles.  

nora

Nora, one more thought. RA is very unpredictable. One day you might not feel bad and the next you could feel miserable. It's really important to get treated early so you avoid dammage. I keep a diary of my complaints to take to the doctor because sometimes when I go, I feel fine but there are other days when I'm really in pain. Write down things like how long it takes you to not be stiff in the morning, where it hurts, when you get fatigued, etc. Also write down any obsservations about the meds you take. I keep all my medical information in a big ziplock bag which I carry with me from doctor to doctor. It also has insurance information that I might need.I have my questions writte down and I write down anything the doctor tells me because I'm apt to forget it otherwise.

Hi Nora!

Today is the day for your 2nd appointment!  Many of us will be thnking of you and will be waiting to see what you think about your second appointment!

These compasionate and simply wonderful member so fthis "board" are telling you the truths about pain, etc.  The amont of "damage" done, as shown on pictures does not correlate with the amount of pain a person experiences!  I was very surprised when my doc had first told me that!

Everyone's "pain" experience is different; yet, also oftent he same in nature!  There are so many factors that assist in "painting the picture of the pain we each have!  Illness, stress, lack of sleep, experiencing a community-borne virus, a bacterial infection, a statsu of being premenstrual, etc.  Weather is another factor!   There are so many factors!

Individuals who advise you to not discount your experiences with pain are very wise! 

Good luck Today!  Let us know how your day goes!

Thoughts and prayers for you today!

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