Hi, I have just come across this site and it seems real good.
I am in the process of waiting for a appt to see a rhuemy, have had blood tests done because I had a sore finger, they have come back with a speckled pattern with a ANA titre of 1:640, varying CRP results and neg for R/Factor.
I am not too sure what all this means but she wants me checked for RA or Lupus, I had Juevenille RA as a child but it went when I was about 12yrs old. Never ever thought about it again until I started getting sore joints and they kept treating me with pain killers relating to a injury, the pain killers unfortunately do not get rid of the pain.
I also had a blood transfusion after the birth of my first son and developed a antibody called Kell, similar to the rhesus disease, does anyone else have this antibody?
Thanks for taking the time to read this and take care
Ooo hunny! Good luck! My JRA "went away" when I was 12 too. Hah. No it didn't. :( Came back when I was 20. *sigh* You'll make it!!! Especially if you hang out here! This is a great crowd!! :)Glad you've decided to join us. We seem to have a lot of former JRAs here so you will feel right at home. Make sure you post as this progresses and ask questions.
Can't really say what you have going on. But stay involved so that you can learn and we can help you.
Hi Chic...welcome! Welcome Chic. Though I don't know anything about the Kell antibody maybe someone will chime in that does. I do know about RA and I show negative on blood work but am obvious on x-rays and symptoms.Hope your rheumy appt. goes well and take care.
Welcome to the forum. I am pretty new here myself. Good luck with your rheumy appt. I was just diagnosed with RA in November. It has been a rough couple of months but am just starting to feel some relief now that I am being treated.
God Bless, Laura
Welcome Chic.
You probably already know that pregnancy/childbirth is one of the most common RA triggers, so maybe that along with this other antibody set off an RA that was waiting to happen. Most of us can point to one trigger or another that set off the RA that was probably waiting in our genes for someone to push a button.
It must feel pretty disappointing to have to meet up with something you thought you overcame in childhood. I hope they're able to get you a clear diagnosis and a good treatment that will help you quickly.
Hi to Chunky chic, Laura and any other new people. I haven't posted much since I joined in september due to this n that but have done loads of lurking, so I can say stick around, you'll get lots of advice, support and laughs from a great bunch of people
where do I collect my pay cheque?
Hi, thanks guys, nice to know someone is out there that wont judge you and tell you its all in your mind - I'm sure we've all experienced it at some stage!
I am on 200mg Celebrex at the moment, which does seem to be helping, so heres hopeing.
My children are aged 21,13 & 7 and I never had any trouble with RA during or after each pregnancy, so who knows!!!!
Have a great day all of you and thanks for the welcome
I feel so bad for all you young people who have to deal with this disease andChunkychic - what a delightful moniker! Welcome.
It sure is a heartbreaker to have this monster leave you and return. I guess the only thing worse is for it to never leave.
Hi, I am just hopeing that none of my children have to go through with it, it does not seem to be a problem in any of my family, guess i was the "chosen' one - lol
I have a really dry mouth and lips at the moment, does anyone know if this is related?
Take care all
Oh yeah, you need to be checked for Sjogren's which is another autoimmune disease. Fortunately, it usually is not that bad. Do get it checked though because it also can affect your eyes, making them dry as well. There's a lot of things they can do to help with it.
You can try sugar free candies and always drinking lots. If you look in your local drug store, there are mouth sprays that really do help a lot. Dental care is really important because having a consistently dry mouth will cause damage.
They check Sjogren's with a blood test, and by checking the moisture in your mouth and eyes. If you have eye problems, see an Opthamologist for that one.
Sjogren's needs to be treated just like RA does. If they have RA under control, the Sjogren's pretty much stays under control too. But ignored, Sjogrens can actually dry out your nerves and other membranes in your body. That can be bad. So getting a doctor to address it is important.
ChunkyChic - I am sorry for the "why you are here" but it is good you found us. You will get a lot of support, good laughs, cries and info. WELCOME.