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Cherylann's Story

CWAVixen@aol.com 

Hi, my name is Cherylann. Im 31 years old and live in the beautiful state of Florida. I was first dx with Rheumatiod Arthrits when i was 24, after a LONGGGGGGGG history of complaints to my Primary Physician which included profound joint stiffness and pain and flu symptoms i just couldnt seem to shake. Ironically, my disease wasnt discovered until i was scheduled for foot surgery and the treating Podiatrist (Dr Steven Bartis) noticed i had several trigger fingers and a swollen right knee, and at that time without saying anything to me ran some blood work that came back with a very high white count,sed rate, and Rheumatoid factor. He called the day before my surgery to give me the news that i could not have surgery but at that time i thought nothing was seriously wrong, in fact i was a bit relieved a name had been found for my symptoms. I was immediatly set up with an appointment with a Rheumatogist and it wasnt until then i began to realize just how sick i was. Unfortunalty for me, since the disease had gone ignored and untreated, the damage to my joints was irreversable. Ive spent many years on the typical drugs used to treat my disease, have had extensive PT and surgeries...the most recent partial wrist replacement with fusion, next on the list is a total knee, then elbow. I'm hoping by writing this short story that somewhere a doctor, family member or friend will read this and really pay attention to someone whos in pain. I went many years being told that i worked to much and needed to cut back on school and eventually began to think it was all in my head. The limitations for my future are now proof that i was indeed very sick and had i recieved the proper treatments, most likely i would still being doing all the things i once enjoyed before i was diagnosed. My biggest mistake was putting all of my faith and trust into one doctor, i should have gotten more opinions and insisted that more indepth lab work be done, because i hadnt i will now always be labeled by my doctors as the worlds youngest bionic woman ;o) Im no longer bitter, after all whats done is done correct? I am however determined to get the word out about this disease and to educate anyone who has questions, especially about the different drugs and joint replacements...so on that note- Feel free to contact me at CWAVixen@aol.com anytime.
PS!!!!!!!!!! Those of you with OA..ask your doctor about SYNVESK...it works
great!!! Its a lube job for the joints-lol