"Newbie" type questions. | Arthritis Information

Happy Saturday to all

Being pretty new I have a few questions I know can get addressed here: 1) Is it often difficult to tell a flare from a med not working? 2)How common are nodules? 3) Should I always ask for a copy of my bloodwork? 4) Is there a site to compair the results? 5) Besides rest any tricks for fatigue?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jay

1) depends on the med. On AP the flare-like symptom is a herx and tells you the med is working. I'm not sure, I think if that happens on the biologics, it means its NOT working.

2) I think not to common in the beginning. Somebody else help me please?

3) Yes - get copies of EVERYTHING. Doctor notes, lab work etc.

4) www.labtestsonline.com

5) I tried to take naps.

Sorry, I was trying to be helpful but probably wasn't.

Pip

If you're flaring, your meds aren't really working, so it's a moot distinction.

25% of people get nodules.

Yes.

Yes, but I don't know it offhand. Common ranges are usually included in the
lab report.

Exercise.

And hello, and welcome to this site!Haha, Pip! We posted at the same time! Does that me you owe me a cola?

Hi Pip,

When it is pretty new everything is helpful.

Jay

Hi Jay

I am new too and I have a nodule on my elbow, one on my big toe and according to the therapist who massages me (very gently) every othe week I have (Mrs Joe Blogs and all her ancestors[QUOTE=Pip!]

4) www.labtestsonline.com

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.org

Thanks doc!

Pip

They do tend to come and go...although sometimes they just come. I have a
little one on my toe that's shrunk to about half since I started AP. The other
half is being really stubborn, though.

Hello and welcome Jay, Yes, you can flare and be on the meds. Means meds aren't working fully. Some of us flare routinely depending on weather, what's going on in our lives, etc. even though we're on dmards and biologics. Since I've been on my current cocktail of meds my flares are mild.

Nodules come in all sizes. I have small fleshy feeling ones on my fingers. Hard ones on one of my fingers. A combination on my elbows and some hard ones on my toes. I find the soft ones come and go. The more dense ones hang around. Sometimes they hurt and sometimes they don't. Nodules are caused by the illness not the meds.

You should get copies of all diagnositic testing that is done to you. That includes, blood, urine, radiology, MRIs, bone density, etc. Copies of your blood and urine should have the relative values listed for each test. Keep all diagnostic testing in a binder in chronological order. That way you can flip through testing and compare from time to time more easily. I've picked up abnormal testing or a pattern that was missed by my doctors. You need to question everything and take nothing for granted. Because the medical people ordered the testing doesn't mean they've looked at it closely or compared it. It may have been filed and not reviewed by the physician.

This has been a real learning curve for all of us, so don't hesitate to ask questions. Lindy

Great questions! Thanks for asking. It helps all us newbies here. The blood tests web site is very informative. Thanks Pipi!