Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I had been posting questions in the wrong discussions board(start a dicussion). A couple of GPs think I have RA becase my rf is 48 and I had a negative ANA test. I have some joint pain and on occasion a small amount of swelling in my hands and feet. I have my 1st Rhumy appt next week. I live in Vancouver BC and the earliest appt I can get here is Jun 1st. However if I go over the border I can get one next week , but it will cost me around $500.
My GP here thinks I am overreacting. Right now he has given me an anti-inflamatory and said thats all I need until I see a rheumy. However, I keep reading that if you diagonse RA early the better you will be. My issue is that I want a diagnosis so I can start to accept it (the not knowing is very stressful for me). However, I am wondering if a Rhumey would suggest anthing different than my GP. I know you guys are not DR. but just wondering what the process was for you (esp those of you with mild symptoms). I will probably still go ahead with my apt next week but I just wanted some feedback from people who have been in the same situation as me.
My GP here thinks I am overreacting. Right now he has given me an anti-inflamatory and said thats all I need until I see a rheumy. However, I keep reading that if you diagonse RA early the better you will be. My issue is that I want a diagnosis so I can start to accept it (the not knowing is very stressful for me). However, I am wondering if a Rhumey would suggest anthing different than my GP. I know you guys are not DR. but just wondering what the process was for you (esp those of you with mild symptoms). I will probably still go ahead with my apt next week but I just wanted some feedback from people who have been in the same situation as me.
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Your rheumy may not suggest any more advanced treatment than you are currently taking at this point, but they will assess/map your joints, take a medical history and possibly request further investigations. They can also help you identify when it's necessary to seek further medical attention in the future and establish if it is purely RA or one of the RA-related conditions.
When RA first started for me I saw my GP with a painful hip joint and within 48hrs I had bloods done and found myself flying 400km to the city for an appointment with a rheumy. I am very grateful she had a hunch that RA was the problem, but was suprised at how urgently she treated it. The rheumy confirmed it - the earlier the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, the better the long-term outcome.
I hope you get reassurance from you rheumy that you are on the right track and that you've done the most you can in taking responsibility for your own health and well-being. Good luck and let us know how you go.
Cheers
I hate to see you spend $500 since your symptoms seem relatively mild, however, peace of mind has no pricetag.
I wish you luck.