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...
Two years ago I was having some wrist pain and an inflamed and
deformed swollen pinky on one hand. I had some blood work and
ex rays done and my RA Latex Turbid was 19.7 and my hand ex rays
said I have degenerative disease. The pain only last a few months and
I haven't had any pain since then. I didn't go to a Rheumy because I
have moved a couple times in the last two years and didn't want to start and stop with new doctors and because I was in no pain. So last month I had my yearly GYN appointment and I asked her to do blood work to see where I was now and my Latex Turbid this time is 18.6. I'm not sure what this means exactly but my GYN said to find a Rheumy. This Wed. is my first appointment and I'm scared and don't know what to expect? Because appearance wise my symptoms have not changed and he would want to start me on some kind of medication it will open up a whole new can of worms? I know just because I don't see any symptoms that doesn't mean I don't have damage but I am also afraid that sometimes doctors see you coming and they think they are getting a new life time patient. I don't like to think negatively but I have ADHD also and have had my fill of doctor and pharmacy mistakes and trial and error medications. Any advice
on this I would appreciate. Thank you!
deformed swollen pinky on one hand. I had some blood work and
ex rays done and my RA Latex Turbid was 19.7 and my hand ex rays
said I have degenerative disease. The pain only last a few months and
I haven't had any pain since then. I didn't go to a Rheumy because I
have moved a couple times in the last two years and didn't want to start and stop with new doctors and because I was in no pain. So last month I had my yearly GYN appointment and I asked her to do blood work to see where I was now and my Latex Turbid this time is 18.6. I'm not sure what this means exactly but my GYN said to find a Rheumy. This Wed. is my first appointment and I'm scared and don't know what to expect? Because appearance wise my symptoms have not changed and he would want to start me on some kind of medication it will open up a whole new can of worms? I know just because I don't see any symptoms that doesn't mean I don't have damage but I am also afraid that sometimes doctors see you coming and they think they are getting a new life time patient. I don't like to think negatively but I have ADHD also and have had my fill of doctor and pharmacy mistakes and trial and error medications. Any advice
on this I would appreciate. Thank you!
Welcome to the RA support group. My name is Stephanie. I have gone through a lot rheumatologists until I found one with a brain. Usually at a rheumatology appointment, the doctor asks you a lot of questions about your symptoms then examines you joints for redness, swelling, tenderness, mobility of the joints etc. Absolutely, the doctor will want to order lots and lots of blood work even if it already has been done and x-rays of like your entire body........seriously. They will explain everything pretty well and at your follow up visit is when they "make the diagnosis" that you already know you have :) The doctor will disscuss treament options with you. I am on Methotrexate (oral pills) and Zofran for nausea as well as Vicodin for pain because I have terrible pain. You really should have treatment if the RA is damaging your joints because it will eventually hurt when they are damaged and immobile. I hope that helps. If you have any questions, this group is great for answers. You can also ask me anytime as well. I love this support group.
Sincerely,
Stephanie
indicate RA or could it be something else? Am I just lucky I haven't
had much pain for two years?
If you have a chance to write up a medical history and/or keep a journal of pain and possible triggers (e.g. more computer time than usual, insomnia, etc.) that will give your doc more to work with.
like any one understands what you and others are going through daily
unless they actually experience it themselves. You are right, so far I
have been very lucky not to have much pain. I try to stay positive and
not think about it but it is so scary you don't know when the bomb is
going to hit with this disease. I'm not sure if knowing the reality is going
to be good or bad but worrying about it isn't healthy either. I will let you
know how it goes. Thanks so much for the info.
I hope you get your answers very soon. And please stop worrying. Worrying doesn't make it better because you have what you have regardless of the stress. What's going to happen is what is going to happen. I call autoimmune diseases Mutiny.
Sincerely,
Stephanie