Hello all. My name is Bruce, and I have been lurking in the background for a few months reading various posts on RA. I have had pain issues for eight years now. I have gone to so many dr.s I have lost count.
In March, after a second hip surgery, I woke up one morning and could barely walk or use my hands due to extreme pain and swelling and stiffness. I didn't think much of it until my pain meds for the surgery ran out, and the pain came back.
Well, long story short, my GP said OA and I said bull and referred myself to a rheumatologist who took my history and examined me, and drew blood for lab tests. (side bar: I knew I was going to like this dr. because he drew the blood himself. WOW!)
Anyway, the test results came back yesterday positive for Rheumatic Disease. I have an appt with him to discuss specifics, and I didn't ask too many questions on the phone (he called himself) because I was in a little bit of shock. He said there was the potential for it to be serious, but that it was not very bad at the moment.
So anyway, I just decided to come out of the reading only shadows and share my story. I have much to learn, and much to share, and look forward to being a part of the 'family'.
Hello Bruce and Welcome! I am sorry to hear about your dx but this is a great place for info and support! I would suggest starting a list of questions to ask so as not to forget things while you are there. Sounds like you have a great doctor and that certainly helps when battling this!Welcome home, Bruce. Sorry you have to be here, but you're in a good place.
Guys are catching up, ladies!
Linda Welcome Bruce
Sorry you had to be here but glad you found us! You're going to love us
I am one of the regular guys of late and have to agree with Moana about the TMI but it is still a good place to hang and laugh. There are a lot of good FUNNY people as you probably already know. Jay Hi Bruce and Welcome. I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia.........Thank God for Neurontin. I hate the side effects, but w/o it the pain on the left side of my face and into my ear is unbearable. It works for my peripheral neuropathy as well. Yet another "Hi Bruce and welcome". Bad that we have to be here, but glad that we are!! It's a great place!!
Awww... sorry you had to be added to the male side of the family. But glad you have decided to not lurk anymore. Hope to see many more posts, from you and get to know ya better. What a wonderful sounding RD you have there. I hope he is all you want and more in an RD. Good RD's seem to be hard to come by. Welcome to the board.
Just adding my welcome to all the others. I'm so sorry you have RA, but it sounds like your doctor is one of the really good ones. I have one like that and they are so comforting to have. It sounds like he thinks he saw you in time to maybe help with one or more of the new RA meds. Wishing you well. Nini Welcome to the group. I hope your rd can get you on the road to feeling well very soon! Welcome to the other newbies too! I wish you all the best! Currenlty I am on: Neurontin for facial pain, which helps with all pain. Vicoden for when life is not so good. Tramadol 3x/day for pain. Also, the Dr. prescribed Diflunisal (generic for Dolobid). I have been taking arthritis meds for years (went through all of them I thought) and have never heard this one. I am going to post a question about it to find out more. I was on Lodine for inflamation prior to this.
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