Since July I noticed my hands and wrist are sore. My eyes are very, very, dry and I go through a bottle of visine a week. I am wondering if I have another illness.
Please help! I see my endo every 6months now. I will go back in November and want to tell him my other symptoms.
I am desperate to find out what is going on. I sometimes feel like I am going crazy and my symptoms are not valid.
I don't know if you have RA, but there is a very good chance that you have Sjogrens which is another autoimmune disease that dries out your eyes, nose and throat.
You need to see an opthamalogist to get that diagnosis. They do a very simple test. The treatments are very simple. I would suggest you get this done. In the meantime, switch from Visine to Genteal preservative free gel and get those sterile eye drops both available at your pharmacy. Also, try using a warm cloth on your eyes morning and evening.
Also, have they tested you for RA and Fibromylagia. Initially, your GP can do tests. Your symptoms sound more like FM than RA. You could still have Lupus even if the tests come back negative. They often do in the beginning. FM they diagnose by your symptoms and trigger points where you have centers of pain in specific parts of your body.
With all that you have going on, try to get a referral to a Rheumy. They may see better what you have going on.
Thank-you! I was not sure because I have been on a jury since July and I thought the air was the reason my eyes were so dry. I also am very tired but when it comes time to sleep I can't. I usually sleep by 2am and use ear plugs, a mask, to prevent any noise. I am always waking up throughout the night.
Originally, I was put on so many depression meds. I found that I didn't really see much of a difference. The cons out weighed the pros and I stopped taking them.
I know my last visit with the endo he was concerned and took additional test. I did tell him I was unable to get pregnant and have tried for ten years. He told me that since the testing was stopped when they discovered nodules in my neck no further test were done.
I am just frustrated of why I feel the way I do. I will look into your suggestions. Thank you for your feedback. I really do appreciated it.
[QUOTE=MickeyLo]
Sounds like Levoxyl isn't working for you. I don't know much about thyroid - is there another med/version you can try?
(Show-grins) Sjogren's syndrome. I have it too. Fairly common counterpart to rheumatoid.
You are not crazy. Your symptoms are valid.
And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Thanks for the support :)
If you are going to have a child, you will want to be very careful about your medications. Methotrexate is one of the most common RA meds and it causes birth defects. If your condition does take you down that road, be sure you get the Rheumy and the OB/GYN working together.
But most of your symptoms sound like something else. Keep searching until you get all your answers.
Mickey I'm sorry you are having these problems, and I hope you can get properly diagnosed and treated quickly. There's nothing worse than waiting and wonderinG!