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...
When I was visiting my daughter in Chicago we
were talking about my swollen fingers and she
mentioned her regular doctor use to practice
Rheumatology did I want to go see him? So I
went and he tought I should have tests done so
he ordered blood work and xrays to have done when
I got back to my home in Las Vegas. So I did
and the doctor in Chicago called to tell me I
should get my own doctor here because the blood
work said my RA factor said 19.7 and normal was
13.9. My hand xrays said Degenerative Diease.
This was this past Dec. I have not yet gotten
a Rheumy. Since Dec. my left wrist is in pain
24/7 which I didn't have in Dec.but nothing else
hurts. I don't want to go to the doctor fearing
it will be the begining of treatments that could
be on going and if it's just my wrist hurting
I can live with that without meds.
What do you all think of my not going to the
Rheumy? Am I causing myself more problems in
the future? I am so afraid of all the side
effects. I already take medications for my
ADHD and have side affects from long term use,
I don't know what to do. Any opinions would
be welcome. Thank you.:)
were talking about my swollen fingers and she
mentioned her regular doctor use to practice
Rheumatology did I want to go see him? So I
went and he tought I should have tests done so
he ordered blood work and xrays to have done when
I got back to my home in Las Vegas. So I did
and the doctor in Chicago called to tell me I
should get my own doctor here because the blood
work said my RA factor said 19.7 and normal was
13.9. My hand xrays said Degenerative Diease.
This was this past Dec. I have not yet gotten
a Rheumy. Since Dec. my left wrist is in pain
24/7 which I didn't have in Dec.but nothing else
hurts. I don't want to go to the doctor fearing
it will be the begining of treatments that could
be on going and if it's just my wrist hurting
I can live with that without meds.
What do you all think of my not going to the
Rheumy? Am I causing myself more problems in
the future? I am so afraid of all the side
effects. I already take medications for my
ADHD and have side affects from long term use,
I don't know what to do. Any opinions would
be welcome. Thank you.:)
However, there are several things that it could be, besides RA, BUT regardless, you need to get started on treatment. The sooner, the better; the lower the chance of long term joint damage.
My RF is elevated and my inflammation markers are high and climbing. However, my rheumy isn't convinced it's RA, just yet.
My differentials are more like Polymyalgia Rheumatica and SAPHO syndrome.
Please, do yourself a favor, get checked. My little boy and my husband are ADHD. I know how worry can affect your condition. If you don't mind me asking, what treatment do they have you on? They are considering Wellbutrin for my husband, we're told it is good for adult ADHD, but as you know, every treatment is individual. I'm concerned about long term effects of the meds my young man is on. We have him in counseling and hope that as he gets older, he learns how to live without them.
I know others will have a lot more to add . . .
A good Dr will take into account your wishes and work with you on whatever treatment you are comfortable with.
Cassie
sure you would all agree that I should go to the doctor. Sometimes I need to be hit in the
head to deal with the reality.
Rosie, I never thought about the fact it could
be something other than RA. I asked my doctor about Lupus but not much else. Makes sence!
I'm sorry your guys have ADHD. With both RA
and ADHD in your family you deserve a medal!
I have taken Effexor RX for about thiry years
and added wellbutrin the last ten years and
now Vyvanse for about three years. The well-
butrin has helped in combination with Effexor
for my anxiety and depression. My twin also
takes Effexor and just added Wellbutrin and
she is a new person. She had a major anger
issue and it's gone adding the wellbutrin.
I have taken every stimulant known to man an
am now on Vyvanse which for me is great. It
keeps me focused all day and know drops when
it wears off. If I forget to get my precript
ion filled and can't take it for a few days I
get totally exhausted and stay in bed. Other
than that it's great. My opinion about your
son is couceling is so important but in comb-
ination with meds. It's really hard or not
possible to apply new behaviors without med-
ication. I look at it like you wouldn't
not buy glasses for him if he couldn't see.
Or you wouldn't not medicate a diabetic. Same thing. I struggled in school and only
went to college one year because I wasn't
dx until I was 50 (now 61). My whole life
has changed after adding meds. Any side affects I have had are worth a more functional life. The side affects with these
meds aren't like RA side affects and if one
med doesn't work you can try a different one.
Hope this helps, I say YES to wellbutrin.:)
He's on Vyvanse and does great on it! He's got Generalized Anxiety Disorder (the dx was just made, as before, he was too young and it was just categorized as anxiety), too. He takes Zoloft and we just added Buspar. What a difference! He feels SO much better!
Keep us posted!
CandyMaggie
As Roseis said, the sooner the better, to keep it from becoming severe. If it is not RA, it is something else, so go to a doc and get a diagnosis and stop the deformities from getting worse.