Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Lesa

Lesa's Story

Hello Everyone!My name is Lesa.I am a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery, which I've been for 11 1/2 yrs.I'm married to a wonderful man.We've been married 16 yrs. We have one daughter who's 10.I was diagnosed with RA Sept.15 ,2000.

It all started in July.One evening near the end of my shift my neck began to hurt.I thought that I had just over done it that day.By that night at home I could not turn my head.Later that week my feet,knees, and hands began to hurt.This went on for a couple of weeks I thought maybe I had pinched a nerve.The pain began to get so bad that it was becoming difficult to climb stairs(I live in a split foyer house),I was having difficulty even picking up a glass.The pain would come and go and it seemed to travel,one day it was my hands,one day my feet,another my knees and so on. I told my symptoms to one of the doctors at work who suggested I see a Rheumatoligist and he even recomended one.So I made an appointment and surprisingly got in to see her in just two weeks.In the mean time ,being the nurse that I was I began searching the web and medical books trying to diagnose myself (that's the problem with nurses). The first visit to my Rheumy was the most complete assessment I had ever seen. I was x-rayed from head to toe and had numerous labs done.She had me to continue the Naprosyn I had started myself on, but increased the dosage.She also started me on Celebrex.

My next visit was in two weeks for my follow up and to get my results.My x-rays showed arthritis in my hands and knees.My test for RF was negative but she said in the first couple of years it could be.She started me on prednisone and said it would help with the diagnosis.If it stopped the pain then we were looking at RA.She gave me a booklet to read about it.Now I know she must have known due to all my symptoms ,the morning stiffness,pain in my joints,and my fatigue(I thought I was over worked). A couple of days after starting the Prednisone I woke up one morning
not stiff and did'nt hurt ,I couldn't believe it.I had mixed feelings though, I was glad I felt better but I knew then I had RA.

My third appointment with my Rheumy she confirmed the diagnosis.She then added Plaquenil to my list of meds.She is very caring, always asking if I have questions.Most doctors assume because your a nurse you shouldn't have any .She even walked me to the check out and told me to call her if I needed to.

I am very thankful to have found this site it has helped me alot in dealing with all the emotions I've had.Just being able to read the message boards and the member stories,I have learned so much and I'm still learning.