Hi folks,
I stumbled upon this message board while doing research for RA.
I've got a frustrating medical history (cancer, Crohn's disease, PCOS, endometriosis, bleeding disorder) and now my new GP thinks the joint pain, swelling, and low-grade fevers that have been popping up spontaneously and increasing in severity are due to RA. I'm in the process of getting individual health insurance (a not-so-paltry 0/mo!); I think I'll wait until the policy kicks in before I start the testing for RA, unless the tests are relatively affordable...?
How rigorous is the testing for the disease? I'm no stranger to procedures- I've had seven major surgeries and goodness knows how many biopsies, blood tests, and imaging studies during my 24 years on this earth. I'm hoping diagnostic testing for RA isn't too unusual or painful?
Regardless of the final outcome of the testing, I think I'm going to have to make some changes in day-to-day living to make the joint pain and flareups more edurable (like give up my stick shift for an automatic tranny, waaaah!). Any other suggestions for long-term easement of hand/arm/knee pain?
Thanks in advance!
- Miss J
Hi, and welcome alaska, (I'm new also, and have loved, loved! this forum. I check it before my emails!) as I remember it is just a blood test, but others will know. You will have warm swollen joints, that hurt or don't depending on the meds, you take or CAN take. There is prednisone (which everyone here cautions once on is hard to get off of because the other meds, if they aren't working yet, won't help you (obviously). As you read through most of the posts people take several types of meds, for several types of conditions. Your dr will guide you through that, but it can take months! Yes, months for them to 'work'!
You'll like an automatic car. It is so much easier. Getting in and out from the driver's seat, when your knees are swollen, stiff and hurting will become a problem Selecting the right car with the seat up off the ground for you will help (sorry, no Porsches!) and You will see all this goes on and on with needing larger shoes if you have swollen feet on flare days, to electric can openers. So many folks on hear will add their knowledge. Good luck and if you can read the Juvenile section as so many people have this even as babies! The stuff gets to so many people and age doesn't matter.
Thanks for the reply! I didn't even think about little things like an electric can opener: I've gotten so accustomed to living in pain that I've accepted it as a reality instead of finding ways to avoid it. Guess who's going shopping today! :-D
Welcome Alaska! I don't test positive but have the other symptoms and x-ray erosions called being (sero-negative).
You might want to check your insurance policy or wait until it is in effect prior to getting checked for RA just in case there is a pre-existing clause.
Hurts has it down. Also clothes with buttons on them. Hubby changed my door knobs to the push down ones. There is a new electric can opener called the "one-touch" that I love. You just set it on a can and push a button then can go do something else while it opens.
You will get a lot of answers on this site and keep us posted.
Bonny
Welcome on board. The tests are not bad at all for RA. It's mostly blood and xrays. You are an old hand at that already. You just want to make sure that your pre-existing is covered first.
It is typical for people to have more than one autoimmune disease. Chrohns and Endometriosis are both inflammatory diseases. The biologics used for RA are often the same ones used for Chrohns. For instance, treating my RA has improved my asthma symptoms.
I think you will find that RA is easier to treat in many ways than Endo or Chrohns. They all hurt though. Just be sure your doc includes that history in your history and your treatment plan.
Oh, and we do have lots of suggestions for the hand, arm and knee pain. Getting treatment is number one. But you can help by using heating pads and ice packs. Also, sports creme can really help relieve your pain. Lidocaine ointment can be very helpful for both RA and Endometriosis pain. My daughter tried it for the Endometriosis pain and she just broke into tears because it brought her such relief.
I use a TENS unti for my shoulder and got it out to help with my knee pain after surgery. That can really help considerably. I also use a parafin wax unit like you get from Walmart for my hands. That has helped me recover a lot of function in my hands. You can get the same kind of thing for your feet.
Proper shoes also help feet. People swear by crocs but Alaska might be a hard place to get to try those. But supportive shoes really make a difference.
Do get the films on these areas. You want to make sure that you don't have any significant damage going on. Like I said, I just had orthoscopic knee surgery and the difference is remarkable. It's like having a brand new set.
I wore knee braces for years before that and spent a lot of time in Physical Therapy. I also used a cane. This also helped a lot. I still use wrist braces during the night when I sleep and I use compression gloves on the computer.
Pay attention to the SED rate when they do your blood work. It can be elevated by Chrohn's, Endo and RA. But medicines should get that back under control.
You have a lot to deal with. At some point, surgery can relieve Endo but I'm sure aware at the cost involved with that. If you are still looking to have children, it makes that decision incredibly painful to make. But I did much better after my Laproscopies and finally my hysterectomy.
You do have a plateful. But all you've already gone through has really prepared you for this problem.
Hi! And welcome!
I had endometriosis as well and had a total hysterectomy at age 21, then adopted 2 chidlren that are almost grown! I have MVP, IBS, Ulcers, RA, OA, and prob a few others. I go for another mamogram for my left breast soon...not looking forward to that either.
Once you are on medication for all this mess you will eventually feel better, I have had RA all my life but was not dx till 1991. A lot of new meds are out there and work for many. After several years on MTX after failing most of all the other medications I finally was able to be switched to Enbrel which seemed to help tremendously. However, I am still a die hard believer that my move to Florida for a bit was a tremendous help...it at least gave me the much needed rest from pain that I so desperately needed.
There are many shortcuts that I have taken to help me with all this RA stuff and my 5 surgeries on my hands to restructure them after rheumatoid ganglion cysts nearly destroyed them. I haev minimal use of my hands most days but on the flip side I have days when my hands are ok.
I am 49 1/2. ( grin) so menopause hit me anyway even with HRT, so I swell at times too! *wink*
You will really enjoy this site and mostly it is a place to come where people genuinely care and have a wealth of advice and insight.
jode