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...
The more I've been reading about RA the more I wonder what else can be tied to it....or auto-immune in general. For years I've had some random things but I'm wondering it is all somehow related.
I have an arrhythmia (and surgery to correct another one), multiple cysts in both kidneys, gallbladder just stopped working (no stones or sludge), bursitis, chronic bronchitis, cysts in Lunate (wrist) bone, etc.
I do have an auto-immune (MS) that attacks the central nervous system. But these "random" things don't seem to be tied to it. Can they be something else?
So many pieces in my puzzle....I need a puzzle expert or maybe Dr. House! haha
I have an arrhythmia (and surgery to correct another one), multiple cysts in both kidneys, gallbladder just stopped working (no stones or sludge), bursitis, chronic bronchitis, cysts in Lunate (wrist) bone, etc.
I do have an auto-immune (MS) that attacks the central nervous system. But these "random" things don't seem to be tied to it. Can they be something else?
So many pieces in my puzzle....I need a puzzle expert or maybe Dr. House! haha
I don't even want to think about vasculitis or heart issues!!! Eeeek!
And as already hinted in your replies probably none of it is actually random - just the way you individually express the problems of an out of kilter immune system.
Yes 'Dr House' would be wonderful (except in the few programmes I saw all the initial misdiagnoses whose treatment would probably kill a real person.... ) A few of us know about initial mis diagnosis!!
So the list you have given is likely to be parts of your body reacting to the core issue of engine malfunction as it were.
People mention all sorts of upsets. Some are common (eg brain fog) some arent (eg eye issues - blepharitis, scleritis and maybe cysts in the kidney - you arent the first with that so maybe a connection).
Medicine and rheumys still a long way to go but happily most of us get a lot of relief for varying amounts of time from the drugs.
Good luck with the rheumy and hope you get a good one of those too. (Big sighs all round???...)
I have many rraandoms 90% my rheumy ssays are from RA
Trouble swallowing, Voice changing (inflamation))
Nausea/throwing up meds and inflamation in esophagus
Dry gritty eyes,
Dry mouth and foul breath (my teeth are eroding frfom ddrryynness)
(I chew gum w/zylatol helps)
RA attacks my shoulders, R hip and Degen.Jtt. disease (hhadd mmy ccoolllaarbone shaved/shortened due to severe attack.
Hospitalized a dozen or more ttimiees due to "intractable pain"
and inflamation in wrists/shoulldrers.
most common iis skin problems aliken to Psoriasis.
I am a 48 yr male and RA "attacked" me about 6 yrs ago.
All my prayers for comfort from MS I have a dear friend living with it tfor 20 plus yrs.
Out of the blue it becalmed inflamed and it had to be removed by surgery. Very scary still wondering if its connected as well .
It's very important for all of us to really pay attention to our bodies because I thought at first stomach flu, but after pain persisted and stomach swollen I went to ER and was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.