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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 10/6/2006 12:28 PM (GMT 0)

I finally broke down and made an appointment with my family dr. to talk about how badly my hips and back hurt after one day when I tried to walk around the neighborhood with my preschool daughter and was limping before I was even 3 houses away from our own. I had mentioned casually to him before this that I was having some pain, but he blew it off and said, "Well, we all have some aches and pains as we get older." I've been thinking for a couple of years now, actually, that I seem to be having more aches and pains than I should at my age (I'm not quite 42), but have been putting off addressing it because I didn't want to hear that very thing - you're just getting older. I just finally reached tilt because when the pain comes, it comes in several joints at once and I feel like a truck has run over me. This last episode has lasted for about 5 weeks.

When I saw him, he did agree to do a work-up, but he made me feel like it was a waste of time to do it. He did say it sounded like I had some osteoarthritis, but that there's not much to do for it. I'm so frustrated and angry that he doesn't feel that my constant discomfort is worth his trouble. I hurt every time I get up from a sitting position or bend over and then straighten up. My hips hurt all the time, and if I spend a day on my feet, they hurt more. He did give me some Mobic to try, and is doing bloodwork and x-rays, so he is addressing the problem, but I'm still steaming over his attitude and the way he made me feel. Sorry for unloading here. Just looking for people who understand, I guess.

Posted 10/6/2006 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lalalady,

    I personaly, would consider finding another doctor. If you are not completely comfortable with your doctors attitude I would really consider finding another one.  I have been to plenty of impatient doctors. I read in an earlier post, that if your doctor is standing with one hand on the door knob while he is talking to you, it is time to get another doctor. After all, you are paying him. You can tell if they have patience and are truely listening to you and offering suggestions. Before I found out I had RA, I went through many doctors that could not figure out what was wrong with me. I even had one tell me, I just needed to lose weight, and then my knee wouldnt hurt anymore. I was only about 30 pounds over weight, so, I dont think that was the reason for so much joint pain when I was only in my 30s.  I told him I had tried to lose weight. and you know what he said to me..... he said, " well if you stop eating at McDonalds, maybe you could lose weight." I could not believe my ears. I cried when I left that doctor, and I never went back. I thought who the heck is he to be assuming what and where I eat, and to be so insensitive. That wasnt the only incident I had with that insensitive doctor. But, anyway. It is bad enough to be in pain. but to have an insensitive doctor make light of your situation, just shouldnt be accepted. You shouldnt feel worse when you go to the doctor.  maybe once you get your test results back and find out if you need to see a specialist. you could ask friends or family about a good doctor. dont give up. there are doctors that still have a good bed side manner.

Connie

Posted 10/7/2006 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Connie. I appreciate your reply. This doc also told me I need to lose weight - but I'm only about 15 pounds too heavy, so I hardly think that's causing the degree of discomfort I'm having. I think you're right that I need a new doc. We are fairly new to this town, so I'm not sure who to ask. I'll wait to see what happens after we do the work-up, but if he's still sounding like he did, I'm moving on. Interestingly enough, I took my daughter to her pediatrician today. The contrast between those two doctor's offices was unbelievable. The ped. talks to me like an intelligent person, not someone way beneath him. Hmmm...maybe he would recommend somebody.

Posted 10/7/2006 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Lady... how are you? Welcome to Healing Well, I'm glad you found us... We've got a pretty good support group here, so come here anytime to yell, scream or cry! Sorry you are having such a hard time with the doctor... I think doctors sometimes forget what they are supposed to do, or maybe they just don't care.. I don't know... but either way, you don't need to put up with that... I hope you find a new doc soon... you're right, maybe your daughter's pediatrician can recommend somebody, that would work out wonderful! I hope you are well, and would love to hear from you soon... Duck
Posted 10/7/2006 5:53 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Lady-

I agree with Sunny. Find you a rheumatologist. I have lower back, pelvic, hip and knee pain and recently broke my tail bone. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and am HLA-B27+. It hurts for me to stand in one spot for long, it hurts for me to walk for more than a couple of miles and it hurts to lay on either side for very long. I am 38 yrs old and could stand to lose some weight, ok more than some! It's very hard to do. The less weight you carry, the less stress on the joints and bones. I'm not trying to scare you at all, I promise. But it sounds to me like you need some answers as to why you are hurting like you are. Find you a good doctor, they are out there.

Posted 10/7/2006 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Lady,
Hi and welcome. First, I'm sorry you are having health problems, espically at your age. We expect to have this stuff hit us later on, but when it comes earlier somehow I think it is more difficult to deal with
I didn't have anything but a cold until I hit 50 then started getting joint pain, fatigue, and psoriasis. My doctor did the same thing yours did. And, even with high liver enzymes he told me it was most likely the medication I was on for depression. Instead of addressing it, he dismissed it. I am still thinking about a law suit. I was diagnoised earlier this year with Psoriatic arthritis and autoimmune hepatitis.
I hope you will take your healh problems into your own hands, PLEASE!! and sooner than later. My liver is 75 % diseaed, and could have been prevented had my doctor sent me to a specilist.

I changed doctors late last year and she had me diagnoised by specialist within 2 months.
The liver damage is irreverisable, the disease is treatable, but not curable. It's autoimmune, which means that my immune system is attackiing the organs in my body, liver, skin, joints.

I will never again put my fate in the hands of a doctor. I do trust the ones I have now, but I check out everything that I am told and insist on being treated like an equal. IF I felt, for one moment that either of my doctors was not listening to me, or dismissing my medical issues, I would get up and walkl out, get a copy of my records go somewhere else.

Your body and lfe is too precious to you and your family. And there is no need for you to be in the pain you are in. I agree that you should go to a rheumy and the sooner the better. Also, it would be a good idea for you to take records with you and keep your own with test results, ect. if you do decide to change doctors. Even if you don't change, insist on seeing a specialist.


Be well,

Judy
Posted 10/8/2006 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Lalalady HI and Welcome to HW,

We are glade to have you.I know how you feel I my self have fired acouple of docs my self for the very reason.I was not getting the medical care that I needed because of them rolling there eye's and blowing it off.

I have to agree it would be in your best intrerest to see a Rheumatolagist.They can do alot moere than your PCP because they are trained in this field.

When I first got sick I was at an all time low of 102 and I was having alot of problems and one of them was I was in severe pain and my PCP could not any thing even though I was throwing up all the time and d's and my joint were hurting do bad I couldn't stand it.

To make along story short I was labed a drug seeker because they could not find any thing so we requested that I be sent to a gastrolagist and it turned out that I have crohns and I was then put on meds and this GI had no problem giveing me pain meds.

I now see a Pain Doc so my pain can be better treated because that's the goal is to get it up under control so you can some what of a life.

I would like to say that I as well have RA,OA,AS and Sejerens and I have inflamation in the lining of my nerve's and I have inflamation in the lining of my muscels as well.

I hope that you are able to get the help you need and on some meds that will help you.Please know that we are here for you and know that you are welcome to post any time.There are meds that can help your OA so don't let them blow you of and tell you that there is not much that can be done because there is.
Posted 10/12/2006 6:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hi lady,

i would have to agree, I have AS and crohns, it took me 4 doctors before my current rhumy to find out what the heck I had. It took him a total of 15 minutes of examination and looking at my films to say I know exactly what you have....He is also the one who later asked me by the way do you know you have crohns after I took several tests. Your description sounds just like me after sitting to long it takes a few minutes to stand upright... Keep on looking..

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