I've Solved The Mystery!!

K, you know how rheumatologists are, for the most part, dumbasses? Well, after like 8 years of trying a bunch of crap that doesn't work, my rheumatologist finally got me on stuff that is working awesome for me. So, at my appointment last week, I thanked her for basically saving my life for the time being and told her how awesome I've been feeling. Presto-Changeo, now she takes every little thing I say super seriously. I mention that I'm worried that my fingers are becoming disfigured, she sets me up with some free place to take molds of my hands and make splints. She didn't even look at my hands! When before she probably would've said, no they aren't. Like I don't know my own fingers. I've only been picking my nose with them for my whole life!! She goes through all my bloodwork and explains every little detail I ask her about. And, this is the best part, she acts like she enjoys it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then...and this is the other best part...she tells me to start backing off on the sulfasalazine, but jack it back up if I feel a flare coming on because I know my own body BETTER THAN HER!!!! Yeah, she totally said that.

I guess my only point is that everyone should go to their doctor and lie and tell them they feel awesome and what a great job their doctor is doing for them. Guess they are more likely to believe they are amazing then notsomuch. then at your next appointment say you're flaring again and need to try something else. Because you already told them how great they are, they will take you seriously maybe.

*Intended for smiles and not as actual medical advice. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on television.

Dave!  I have missed you.  You, unfortunately, have a point.  Doctors are people too, and they are more likely to succumb to sucking up, than being told they are ineffective and incompetent.  I'll have to keep that in mind when I see my rheumy next.

Is your finger hooked permanently?  Sounds like OA to me as well--send a picture and I'll tell my 4-year-old daughters this is what happens if you consistently pick your nose :)

Glad to see you back,

Elcamino

You know I have no idea what it is. I don't think I have OA, just rheumatoid and psoriatic. The disfigurement is actually pretty minor thus far. if I stick my left index finger straight out, the end of it doesn't go straight and kinda points at some kinda angle toward the floor. My finger on the other side of the one i flip people off with kind of does the opposite and points up at the end. I forgot to mention that to her. Mostly, I just found the whole thing fascinating. Her whole everything changed. I guess they hear so many people talking about their symptoms and how they're aren't getting relief they just can't take anything seriously anymore, then when you tell them they helped you, they're like "wow" 'cause if i say good things this time, then I can't be just miscellaneously complaining all the other times. "twas fun anywho. Thanks for missing me, I've been around reading, just haven't had much to add to the conversation lately.

Dave, I had to jump in here because I saw your post - we have missed you on the lupus forum!!!! I like your approach with your doctor - I definitely think you are on to something.

You know el, I never really cared about the deformities before. They really are quite minor, and I can still cross my fingers hoping they stay that way. I guess they seemed about halfway down a list of things that bothered me about my body and how I was feeling. So, really it's a good thing that I'm becoming concerned about them I think. Hopefully it means the other stuff that was irritating me has subsided. If this medication ever stops working I think I'll just pack myself up and send myself off to the funny farm. I know there's probably a long road ahead of me, but it's SO nice to have just a bit of a break on the trail.

Hippimom: Still reading the lupus forum too, just not a lot to add to the discussion there lately. Makes me feel kinda guilty to be feeling so good when so many are having such a hard time.