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Giving up after 22 years

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Posted 9/20/2009 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I've decided that when I see my GI in December I'm going to accept her offer of a referral to a rheumy.

My hips are destroying me right now. They ache when I lay down, and when I stand up it feels like my hips aren't securely attached to my spine. Sometimes I have to lean forward at the hips to relieve it.

I've had this before and I know it will pass, but then something else will fire up. Maybe I'll at least be able to get something to help me be more functional.

<sigh>

Posted 9/20/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Judy - Gosh, I'm sorry for your pain! If it's not one thing, it's another, isn't it? My goodness.
So, tell me - you've been through a lot of stuff, but you've not been to a rheumy? When does one go to a rheumy and when does one got to an orthopod?
My former PCP, who was wonderful, competent, (talented, really,) and had a great personality, talked to me about my pain almost three years ago and said something like, "I can refer you to a rheumy if you want to deal with that." So your comment about "finally" (my word, not yours) doing that... is it a big deal to go to a rheumy?
I'm kind of thinking.... we who have been through all this GI stuff have been through things that most of the population isn't even that aware of, and have things looked at that are more private than our significant others know.....surely a rheumy can't be all that bad - ?
I feel for you re the hips. I limped around this morning at work and all these folks came up to me and asked what was wrong, why was I limping, etc. It hurts getting into the bed, in the night, getting up, walking around, getting dressed is hard, getting in and out of the car, yeouch...!
Keep us posted. I'm thinking of you!!
Posted 9/20/2009 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
No, I don't think going to a rheumy is that bad. I'm just Cleopatra - you know, the Queen of denial. I put off going and getting another diagnosis the way some people put off their colonoscopies.

I started with the orthopedist because I had physical injuries that needed surgical treatment. I still have some of those, but I also have a lot of joint and tendon pain where there isn't any boney injury. And I'm tired of it, so to me it's time to see a rheumy.

Don't anyone model themselves on me, please. I'll deny pain until I do myself damage if I'm not careful.
Posted 9/21/2009 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Don't worry, Judy - no modeling necessary! I thought "I" was Cleopatra! I try to "tough things out" quite a bit - or I would have seriously pursued some kind of care for my hip and knee 3 years ago. Heck, I denied it to the point of riding horses until last winter, even when I could barely walk to walk them out before or after the ride and when the ride itself was painful on the hip!
LOL But seriously, I think some denial is a good thing or we would get overwhelmed by problems. A lot of denial, well, yeah, not the greatest, but we do the best we can, right?
My previous questions were really because I am still new to the whole OA scene and can't quite figure out whether an orthopod or rheumy is the better choice for me to see - and with my crop of beloved former doctors having just retired, I don't even have them as advisors. (I'm not hinting that I'm using you as Advisor, just explaining why my questions might seem a little uninformed.)
Anyway, I am sorry for your pain and I hope it lets up or that you can figure out what you can do to at least get some reprieve. Chronic pain is so wearing.
Posted 9/21/2009 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Don't think of it as giving in but rather moving forward. No one can be in pain 24/7 and expect to lead a normal life. We make exceptions for ourselves, myself included, but it's best to try to "dethrone" Cleopatra on occasion to make our lives better. I know what it's like to have one thing happen after another and it just doesn't seem fair does it? Go see that rheumy and get yourself taken care of.
Posted 9/21/2009 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

Judy,

I am proud of you for deciding it is OK to see a rheumy.  I know it is difficult to add another physician to your list but I believe in this case you have made the right choice.

Sending you healing hugs,

Kitt

Posted 9/21/2009 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
All I can say is thank God for good insurance! I can't even imagine being one of our fellow members who has no insurance and can't get it.

In addition to adding a doc, it may mean adding more meds. I just took my 13 morning pills, hope I can replace some instead of adding to. I'll take another 8 tonight. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from when I had to take 21 in the morning and more at lunch and in the evening!

It's another beautiful rainy day, but I think the sun is coming tomorrow, because I feel better this morning!
Posted 9/23/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Well I am another IBD sufferer, but unlike you I have Crohns not UC. I personally believe all of us IBD'ers should have a Rheumy on board. It took me awhile myself to finally add one, but she has been somewhat helpful with my joint issues. I just added a podiatrist to my doctor pile, lucky us:)
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