I felt relieved when I had a name to cuss out during bad periods. At least now you'll know what to research. And something of what to expect.

LOL, 2scicrazed! That's EXACTLY what I thought: I now have a name to cuss out during bad periods! My other diagnosis (RMO) is very rare and has also been painful for 18 months and that's been what I was cussing out... but I had no support, as it is so rare. Support is everything!

It's really hard not knowing. Much better to have a diagnosis. It's not one any of us would have wanted but if we're going to have the pain and swelling and generally not feeling good................then it's good to know why. I had years of not knowing. It's better to know.

sorry kiddo.

you are in good company

R

Sally, at this point I just see my primary and rheumy. Should I expect other specialists? Sadly, there are no specialists for RMO because it is so rare. Oh, and I see a psych for clinical depression and some anxiety, but I've treated for that for almost 20 years and it has been well-controlled until this upswing in pain. I basically gutted out the last 3 months... didn't want to increase psych meds. Now that I have a diagnosis that is manageable, I am actually a little less depressed... but it's only because I found all of you. No kidding!

I agree better to know then to wonder.
Although I'm sorry you have to go thru this at all.
Sammy

As unwelcome as a diagnosis is, it does lead to treatment options.

Thanks, everyone!

Sally, I already read up, but more than that, I was a medical transcriptionist for 20 years and typed a lot about immunoglobulins so had a good base to draw from. The Ig's are immune system markers. If they're high, your immune system is working in overdrive, which is exactly what autoimmune diseases are, like RA. I do plan to talk with my rheumy about them at my follow-up on the 10th, though. She is absolutely awesome! She's happy I transcribed for 20 years and we can talk "doctor-ese." Our agreement is if I don't understand something, I'll ask and she'll explain. She's also delighted I want to use nutrition to get as much inflammation out of my body as possible. I think I said on another thread... she has a patient who followed The Plan by Lyn-Genet Recitas to determine which foods are inflammatory to her own body (because everyone's chemistry is different) and has had no progression of disease for 7 years. She takes only pain meds and no DMARDs or biologics. That is my goal! If I'm not that lucky, then I'm not. But I'm not going down without a fight! :)

This group helps all of us in one way or another!