Hi, My name is Debbie. I'm still working with my doctor now to determine whether or not I have RA. Blood work show a positve Rheumatoid factor, and I have been having joint pain for about a year now. I tired alot, and have no energy. I've put on about 15 lbs in the last yr. I'm here lurking and to obtain some more information about the disease.
Glad you stopped lurking, you'll find lots of good info here! Wecome to the board
Linda
What is preventing your doc from making the dx?
Thanks....He's waiting for more bloodwork to come back, I guess. He did put me on Medrol (8mg for 2 weeks, and drop down to 4 a day until I see him again in 3 weeks). Has anyone been on this? What kind of side effects can I expect, and does it help? I'm a hairdresser...I need relief soon! I have so many questions...I don't know where to start. I'm sure alot of them are a bit stupidI hope you have a couple of days
Anyway welcome and I hope it turns out to be something else. Keep us posted.
WELCOME!I certainly hope it's not RA that I have, but if it is, I'm glad to know I can come here for advice. Back in June when I first tested postitive, I really thought it wasn't (hoping actually) but now doc is saying it's "very likely RA" but intil further bloodwork comes in, he won't officially diagnose me. He seems to be pretty thorough. Thanks for the warm welcome!
Deb,
Don't ask Jay how to spell anything!!!
Okay...here's a few.
How can I get my family to understand how I feel? I used to be a real go-getter. I don't have it in me anymore. The house is messy, laundry is piling up. I feel like if I ask my hubby or kids to help me out more, that I'm complaining. Don't get me wrong, they are great. I'm just used to doing it all, and loved it. I don't think my husband sees it as a serious problem, and I'm a little scared.
With RA, do your joints pop? Loudly? It happens all the time for me, wierd feeling and sounds really 'bad'.
Along with joint pain in hands, knees, and feet...does anyone else have back pain? I have a mild case of scoliosis (sp), but lately it's so stiff and sore.
Okay, I'll start with these...there will probably be more. I'm gonna pick your brains!
I think I know how you feel. I really don't like asking for help doing what I think are my responsibilities, I have an extremely hard time with that. But I put alot of that on myself, as no one has ever said or done anything to make me think that I am now a burden to them. It sounds like you have a very supportive family that don't mind helping you, and that's something to be very thankful for.
As far as making people understand, well some do some don't, some try to, and some think your hamming it up because you look healthy. At least that's what I gather from some of the posts I read. There's an article called "The Spoon Theory" (I think) that some people find helpful in making others understand, I don't have the link, but maybe you can find it if you google it.
Oh, and my joints don't actually pop out of joint, but they click now like crazy, knees ankles and hips especially. If it's all quiet, I sound like a freak show when I walk.
Hello and Welcome!Oooohhh, what I would do for a massage right now!! LOL
My joints don't appear to swollen, but RD said they're swollen inside, they sure feel it.
Thanks for the link...great story!
Anyone know about Medrol as a treatment?
Did I read somewhere on these boards that night sweats were a symptom of RA? I've been having them for 1 1/2 years or so...Gyn thought maybe I was in menopause (I'm 35 but it's typical of my family) because of night sweats, hot flashes and other gyn problems that are symptomatic of menopause. Tests came back normal. Hmmmm?
Give your family some time to come around, and information as they can
absorb it. It's hard for us to come to terms with a chronic illness, but
remember they have to come to terms with it, too![/QUOTE]
I haven't even been offically diagnosed yet, and I'm having a hard time coming to terms with it. Scares the hell out of me.
Debby,
Welcome!
Welcome to the board, Deb J! Hope to see many more posts from you in the near future. Just remember you are not alone in trying to get your family to understand. Welcome! ask away and I am sure someone can help.Hi, and Welcome! , The family will hear you but only slowly know what that means. they will need to help you out, and I hope you can let them know what's the best way. We all begin to feel guilty, as we sit on the couch with painful joints and figure out in our MINDS what we need to do in the house. It is frustrating. Try,if you can, to figure out what's important and get help wiht THAT, what will wait can wait, and it is hard to put into words our 'fatigue', our pain and stiffness, and of course we don't look sick!
It is real for us and very hurtful when those we love don't understand.Goes with the disease. I'm sure you can make a list, if even mental what you need help with. We all have to apologize for doing less with our loved ones, but that's the way it goes, sometimes you must stay home an rest while others get to play.
I'm on just about as much medication as I'll take, a powerful amount, and still have pain in my foot/hands are stiff, so I hope you begin the treatment as soon as you know you have RA. You will feel better soon. As someone else said, "there are no stupid questions', please as away as we all learn from the answers. Lynda
I actually get a little weapy when I think about the guilt I feel, sitting around, when there is so much that needs to be done in my house. I also co-own a salon, and I'm an Avon rep, and both keep me very busy (not to mention my 2 sons and 10 pets). Thankfully, I have a family that never complains. If they want/need something done, they will eventually do it themselves. I can be a very emotional person, especially now, feeling the way I do and watching my dad suffer off and on with lung cancer. The last year has been very rough for me. But,there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once I have a firm diagnosis, and proper meds, I'll be feeling better soon.
Phew, I feel better already talking (well, typing) about it all. I've kept it bottled up for so long.
Vent vent vent!! We all do! Sometimes it's the only way we stay sane around here!
You seem to already have a good outlook, which will help you greatly!! But don't get too worried if you suddenly wake up one day and find yourself a little down. It happens to all of us, and that's just the kinda thing we're all here for!
That and yakking on endlessly about silly things...we're REALLY good at that....lol
So welcome to the club sista!!!
Hi, you may want to plan a 'that was then' and 'this is now' in your life. All of us have had to slow down, give up some things, and really re-evaluate our priorities. You have been the 'super woman', and even if you don't have this dang 'stuff' you may be over doing???Do you think? LyndaYou are right Lynda, I am a person that over does everything. I am learning to slow down, my husband is always telling me to.
Thank you all again, for such a warm welcome. I'm glad I found this message board.
Hi Deb welcome to the board
I'm about like you in that I'm testing for RA on the 29th and am pretty scared too of the results. So good luck too ya. I'm taking notes from the board so I'll be prepared. The best source of info you need is right here
My dh and family are pretty well used to me being sore, tired, limpy, whiney, etc.. from the Fibro and Osteo so it won't be anything new to them. I don't know if thats good or bad.
Best wishes to you and your family.
P.S. My big sis's name is Deb.
It's amazing how much better you feel when you can just let it out. That's what we're here for and trust me when I tell you....We do understand.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Hi Deb J and welcome to AI.. Glad you found us! We all know what your going through so feel free to vent or ask any question you can come up with. Someone is always on and someone is always able to answer your questions. Hi Deb. I didn't give you a proper welcome. As far as guilt goes, I hear ya. I don't have children at home anymore. They live 3,000 miles away but in some ways it's even harder for them to understand that I don't feel well. They remember me the way I used to be. They remember the mom who did everything. When they only see me 3 times a year they think they'll be getting the same old mom. I don't want to complain to them so I rarely say anything about how I'm feeling. And I don't want them to feel bad for me. And I'm so damn stubborn that I keep trying to do everything anyway and then I hurt like hell. Your pride just has to go out the window. I really feel for you, having young children and a couple of businesses. Wow. Take care of yourself Deb.Hi there. Another newbie. Like deb, I'm looking at a likelihood of RA based on results of a preliminary blood test. I see a rheumatologist next week.
To be honest, from what I've read online, the whole thing is frightening.
I'm curious how people initially responded to the news, what they actually experienced as time went by, and how they deal with it now.
Hi David. Good luck with Rhem doc. Like me, you probably are going to have a bit of a better idea what is going on, but not a definate answer. I'm finding a few people here are "in limbo" with no definate diagnosis. Keep reading posts and ask questions. Everyone here seems so helpful and nice. What a relief!