Not new to the site, but new here. Question

 I will soon be 35, at age 20 I went to the emergency room b/c both of my calves were in tremendous pain, it also felt like someoen cut my circulation off. Went to ER and was given some pain meds and told to make an apt w/ my fam dr. I believe my sed rate was 300,(actually I'm guessing as it was 15yrs ago) the dr. automatically dx me with RA, said i'd be deformed etc. Don't you just love the tact of some dr.s Anyway I saw another dr. who was mad that the first dr. dx me b/c he was't a RA dr, and he said there really was no way to pinpoint it unless there were obvious signs like swelling, and deformation etc. Anyway i had changed my diet worked out, lost 20pounds and the pain disappeared for yrs. I had no signs of it for at least 4 yrs, there-after very mild pain that would come and go. I usually get it in my hips or wrists,and i do have chest pain which seems more prevelant. I've had two or three chest xrays blood work, ekgs etc, and all seemed fine. I've often wonderd if i have fibromalgia, but i read that your sed rate is USUALLY not elevated but normal or low.

I don't have deformity or inflamation. The intermitent pain that i do have from time to time is bearable. I also wonder if I subconciously bring symptoms on. Ie I can have no chest pain for 3,4,7 months,yrs etc, or no joint pain, and as SOON as I think about it, it comes on. I think the mind is a powerful thing, as it's happened at least 10 or more times. 15 YRS later and no serious/debilitating pain, the most pain is when i went to the ER 15 yrs ago, and got the "diagnosis" 2 days later. The bloodwork ruled out lupus,lymes, and other liver related diseases. Only reason I am in no rush to follow up is bc i hear that most ppl do better off meds and many who are on them have side effects. I would most likely take the natural approach(herbs, natural remedies etc) if it came down to it. It seems other than eat right and exercise there's really not much to be done about it, or am I missing something?

Not looking for a dx, just want to talk with other BTDT.

Anyone have mild to no symptoms but have been dx with RA?

<!-- Message body ''"" -->

Post Edited (I_willconquer) : 7/28/2007 6:14:46 PM (GMT-6)

Yea, unfortunately the pharamceutical companies don't like to endorse the natural route. I've used natural remedies for other minor ailments and they seem to work better, and are safer in my op.

I'm the type of person that doesn't like going to the dr unless I'm in chronic pain, or I suspect something serious. I dunno, maybe 'part' of me doesn't want to be dx'd since i can't do anything about it.. As i said the symptoms aren't debilitating and come and go, sometimes as long as yrs, so we'll see. If i had to choose, I'd rather it be fibro. but it is what it is, know what i mean?! It could also be my diet. The past month I haven't followed my usual eating habits. I've noticed if I eat chocolate and caffeine daily for awhile I seem to be more achey. Yesterday I made the decision to eliminate the caffeine again. Sometimes we get to feeling good and forget to take care of our bodies.

Interesting about the diet.  What do most RA patients try to stay away from and what do you eat on a daily basic.  Also what vitamins do most of you take?  I know the old saying "NO news is good news" , but if your sed rate is high, if you don't get dx properly maybe you could do damage to your joints. I hope not. Good luck in your quest.  Hunnybunny

Thanks for conquer's reply.  Sorry it took so long for me to reply, but I just got back from Lake Tahoe, camping with our grandson (4yrs).  Busy, busy, busy.....Hunnybunny