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arthritiswarrior 
10:25pm, June 25, 2009
This week, I hope to get some answers and if I do, I can't wait to share them! more later.
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Docsbrat posted a question about whether you can get RA in the spine. I had to face this in the last year. It is so hard when even some doc don't recognize that you can. There are actually plenty of medical journal articles on this, but they are hard to sift through... I have done it some and will so it a lot more, but here is what I know now:
It totally depends upon which book you read!
All books say yes RA in the cervical spine (neck). Many also say yes in the lumbar spine (lower), but rarer. Most say No in the thoracic (middle). BUT I HAVE READ SOME THAT SAY, YES, RARE BUT POSSIBLE IN ALL SPINE, even in the sacrum (tailbone).
I also know for sure because I have it. The pain is not the same as OA or the degenerative disc pain, which I also have.
I actually talked to a really smart chiropracter and she said she "would NEVER adjust someone w/ RA since it is so dangerous." Then I read up on it. Spinal RA is dangerous in 2 particular joints only. if it gets bad enough, it could push on the spinal cord. That's rare too, Still scary though.
Doesn't matter whether it's "rare" when it is you! Plus, in my experiences of talking w/ RA-ers, it's not as rare as they say it is.
Boy! I did not mean to write a whole book here, maybe I'll just put it in a journal post.
I think the enbrel is up to full speed now . I can't believe that it has been 2 and a half months. So far, it's the same as humira. Much better than without anything. Night and day. But, not a cure. Symptoms of RA are not gone. Life is not ever normal. Except the new normal.
You just adjust to life in pain if you never get remissions. And I am frustrated sometimes that people do get remission think that we all do. Would love it if some people without remissions want to say "Hay" to say me too.
Coffee is good. I am getting ready for the shots this a.m. I wish I could think of a treat to give myself as a reward afterwards. Any ideas? ; )
Past Entries
| June 2009 |
Wednesday, 6/10
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Answers to what?
lam0814
I have been so frustrated. Have posted several times about the "only slight visible swelling" issue. I hope to get some tests done which will document the damage so that I can avoid the, "but you don't look sick enough" baloney everytime I see a new dr.
I have actually met several others like myself. but that only makes me feel better. I need evidence to keep for the rest of my life. hahaha.
BTW, I did plan to come back and add to the journal. Was just frustrated.
Thanks for asking. ;D
arthritiswarrior