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...
Hi All,
The main problem I am facing is the tiredness. I mean I have pain and stiffness, but what's killing me is the fatigue.
The tiredness is so great that I cannot leave my house everyday, actually I am confined to my home for days. Can't check my mail, or do normal stuff.
The main reason that I filed for disability was for tiredness. And then when trying to find a reason for all this fatigue they found I had a strong positive Anti-CCP antibody, and diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I was recently also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Am I a rare breed here?
Another concern I have is that my disability hearing is coming up, and I don't have any nodules, or redness or swelling which I hear a lot about.
I mean by nobody can tell anything is wrong with me.
So how will I convince the judge?
The main problem I am facing is the tiredness. I mean I have pain and stiffness, but what's killing me is the fatigue.
The tiredness is so great that I cannot leave my house everyday, actually I am confined to my home for days. Can't check my mail, or do normal stuff.
The main reason that I filed for disability was for tiredness. And then when trying to find a reason for all this fatigue they found I had a strong positive Anti-CCP antibody, and diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I was recently also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Am I a rare breed here?
Another concern I have is that my disability hearing is coming up, and I don't have any nodules, or redness or swelling which I hear a lot about.
I mean by nobody can tell anything is wrong with me.
So how will I convince the judge?
The best thing you can do when you are this fatigued is get all the rest you need. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you, it's just part of RA.
Joanie
I am still waiting for the hearing, should be coming up by Oct-2012.
The thing is, I haven't really had any swelling.
But my tiredness is constant, ongoing and crippling, goes back years before I was diagnosed with RA.
I am being represented, it is by social services, but I don't think they are charging me, it is free, but I also think I may have to change this and get better representation.
It seems they are more concerned about me actually telling the truth then trying to help me. They keep sending forms and requests behind my back to the doctors, and this IMO can be negative for me cause the doctor can get ticked off.
I would definitely get an attorney if I were you. I mean it takes so long to finally get a hearing that you don't want to take that risk. I had my hearing last year in July, when I had to go I had very little swelling and by looking at me you can't tell I have anything. My disability was approved because of all the evidence throughout the years that proved it. All my doctor visits, exams, tests, my work history and a good attorney.
Good luck,
Roni
I'm sorry that your fatigue is so bad I know for me alot of the medicines I'm on increases my fatigue so maybe that is a point that needs to be brought out for you. I don't know what type of medicines you are on but in order to keep RA at bay we have to take our meds
Avis
Plaquenil
MTX
Enbrel
Vit D
Bupropion which is an Anti Depressant
I also take B-12 and Super B-Complex.
I changed one rheumatologist cause he was so tired of listening to my fatigue.
He said 'With me there's no Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'.
Anyways not just mine, but my kids lives have also been disrupted because of this.
Maybe there is an aspect of this ra which is still unknown, or maybe this could be related to Fibromyalgia, (I was diagnosed with this as well).
Anyways, nice to be able to say your mind to people on the same boat.