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wondering if others have these same pains?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 8/16/2011 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,  Ive learned so much from this forum as well as others but for some reason this is the only one i have been able to join succesfully??

so im happy to finally ask questions.    Im newly diagnosed with ra but have been having flare ups for 3 or more yrs.  went to a doctor 2 1/2 yrs ago

in agony with cripling pain in hip. i told him i was walking and somthing just snapeped and i couldnt walk any further. he took a blood test of my liver and cholesterol etc. no test for ra unfortunately so this has been running a muk in my tendons, feet, wrists, knees, neck etc.  my eyes burn like crazy tear up and and feel like there is sandpaper in them. Im so mad at that dr. he just said go home and ice you have tendinitis.  I really like my new dr. he really cared and ran the proper tests.  i was shocked with ra diagnosis i figured it was just complications from when i broke my back in 2002. but im at least relieved to have a diagnosis so i can finally get treatment.  but im still having to wait because i cant get in to any rheumy dr. until sept27.

  I have stinging intermittent stabs from mid calf to ankles to the tips of my toes.  is this a normal thing with ra? mostly ankles pain that keeps me down.

ive been in this flare now in both ankles for 4 weeks on crutches and a walker.  im trying to do all i can  with gluten free diet. no deadly night shades, caffien,etc. taking cox-2 inhibitors, natural pain rx , a few other things that naturpath recomended

but im so scared because i only have a few hrs. of relief every now and then. and now it is waking back up in my wrists again.  any advise would be grately appreciated.                        

Posted 8/16/2011 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
A couple of things. First, if you're having an acute flair up, as it sounds like, waiting over a month to see your Rheumy is not acceptable. I would call them up and push, tell them how much pain you're in. If they don't respond, I would find another doctor. There are plenty of good ones and I find that the most important thing I have in a Rheumy is the ability to see me quickly when I'm having a bad flare up. I've never had to wait more than 2 days to see my Rheumy. That was after spending about 5 years switching until I found one I liked. I've been with him for 15 years or so now. Unfortunately he's getting older and I expect to hear that he's retiring soon, I'm getting myself in a mild panic just thinking about it.

On your pain, I find that if I'm really flared up, often time the pain radiates from the joint to areas all around it. I wouldn't doubt that the pain your feeling in your calves is related to you sore ankles. My ankles are bad as well and it often makes my whole foot swell.

Stick in there, it can take a while but eventually your doctor will find a set of meds that will work for you.
Posted 8/16/2011 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
thanks jperkin4, Its odd my anles dont have the typical swelling that most seem to get. that sounds even worse. I do agree about having to wait
but sadly where i live there are no rheumys only one that visits the area once a month so my doc went an hour away and the one clinic said since i only had major medical they couldnt accept me as a patient (ins. dont cover office visits) that was crapy. so dr went to a teaching hospitol to take me they said soonest apt is sept 27 so thats why the long wait. it does bother me because i know its doing more damage the longer this flare up goes on. but dont i have to have a referal to get in to a rheumy? it seems like im at there mercy. but im trying to learn
from this forum what actions i should be taking. so thanks again. gypsysgrounded
Posted 8/16/2011 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, and welcome! I do have stabbing pains in my fingers and toes. My ankles are one of my worst problems. They do swell and really hurt, but since I have had the orthotics, the swelling issue has been much better. So sorry you have to wait to see the doc. Are you taking any prednisone?

V
Posted 8/16/2011 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi vannie,

my md did put me on prednisone to try and stop the flare until i can see the rheumy 5 days of 4 tabs to start 4days of 3tabs 3daysof 3 tabs etc.  I never made it past the 3rd day. i spent the morning in the bathroom and when i  could finally get out of there id be so naucious that id just lay in bed. i dont know if thats a typical reaction but whew! that got me searching for another way to help. I am still adjusting to the fact that im not invincible lol!  but its catching on quick. Ive always been a caregiver now im the one needing ....its wierd.  thanks for the support.

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