Re: Couple of questions/a few theories of my own

[Guest guest]

a lot of your symptoms don't sound like RA but many do. But the disease

definitely does not come from use of cleaning detergents. If affects children!

I got it when I was 14! And while more women get it than men, 30% is not

exactly fractional... you need to accept that you are one of the " lucky " few.

The symmetrical pain and heat in joints, the slowness of memory etc. Are all

typical. When you are treated and more in remission some of the mental symptoms

will abate.

I suspect the other symptoms just pertain to something else, perhaps a virus and

strained muscles. Unfortunately having RA does not mean we can't get other

things as well. In fact since our immune systems are compromised we're actually

very susceptible.

Sent from my treo

-----Original Message-----

From: " deron_giuliani " <deron_giuliani@...>

Subj: Couple of questions/a few theories of my own

Date: Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:32 pm

Size: 14K

Rheumatoid Arthritis

First of all, I was recently diagnosed with RA. I am Male, 39.

I'm

still not convinced that this is what I have. I was sure that I had

cancer. Maybe someone can confirm or deny my diagnosis by

evaluating some of my " strange " symptoms.

1. Sometimes (usually later in the the day, when I'm more tired,)

when I'm sitting, the room sometimes feels like it's spinning.

2. A few times I have had this feeling of anxiety come over me. So

intense that I thought for sure my heart would give out. I have had

to get up from my desk and go outside for a walk around the block.

3. A few times I have noticed a small amount of puss in my stool.

Probably 4 times over the past 5 years.

4. pain in the middle lower back area. What used to feel like a

hitch in my back now feels more like a burning pain. But this pain

has definitely subsided over the past couple of weeks. But was

intense about 4 out of the 8 past months.

5. Strange " zingy " sensation shooting up my arm, or sometimes my

leg.

6. About 8 months ago I noticed my left elbow bone seemed kinda

sore when applying pressure. Then about 2 months ago, my right

elbow joined in. And now they both hurt (even without applying

pressure) in lovely harmony.

7. About 3 months ago, I was standing on a ladder for about 2

hours, when i got home that evening (about 4 hours later) my knee

was in a great deal of pain, so much pain that it kept my off my

feet for a couple of days. And then went away, in a flash.

8. My fingers are soar at the joints, and I have this like heated

pain radiating from the center of the back of my hands.

9. Excessive flatis.

10. Change in personality. More irritable.

11. Brain fog.

12. Lousy short term memory.

13. Depressed.

I'm sure there are more things but that's all I can think of right

now. Anybody have any input.

Now for my theory. I could be wrong but apparently 70% of all RA

patients are female leaving 30% for men. I think that it stems from

over-use of household cleaning products such as Bleach and Ammonia.

Because (not to sound sexist, but it's probably true that a good

majority of women do not get any help from their macho men. At

least not when it comes to srubbing tubs and toilets. I happen to

be a housekeeper for a hotel for the last 5 years. I was too macho

to wear gloves, and now I have problems. Anyway that's my laymen

theory. Thoughts anyone?

[Guest guest]

RA Criteria (Any 4 qualify for positive diagnosis)

1. Morning stiffness, lasting for at least an hour, present daily for

at least 6 weeks

2. Arthritis of 3 or more joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks

3. Arthritis of the hand joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks

4. Symmetric arthritis, lasting for at least 6 weeks

5. Rheumatoid nodules

6. Positive rheumatoid factor (blood test)

7. Joint changes on x-ray

The above list is from the American College of Rheumatology and I don’t

know which of the symptoms you feel apply to you. RA can be a hard

disease to diagnose and you should be seeing a rheumatologist because no other

doctors are usually qualified to diagnose RA, and sometimes it takes a good

rheumatologist some time to completely settle on a diagnosis. Some of

your symptoms seem to possibly be related to nerve problems and these could be

secondary to swelling from RA that produces pressure on a nerve. You

might need to also see a neurologist to be sure about that. However, I

suggest that you see a rheumatologist first.

Most people feel that more women than men get

RA because of hormonal differences and not environmental differences. God

bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of deron_giuliani

Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006

6:33 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject:

Couple of questions/a few theories of my own

First of all, I was recently diagnosed with RA. I am

Male, 39. I'm

still not convinced that this is what I have. I was sure that I had

cancer. Maybe someone can confirm or deny my diagnosis by

evaluating some of my " strange " symptoms.

1. Sometimes (usually later in the the day, when I'm more tired,)

when I'm sitting, the room sometimes feels like it's spinning.

2. A few times I have had this feeling of anxiety come over me. So

intense that I thought for sure my heart would give out. I have had

to get up from my desk and go outside for a walk around the block.

3. A few times I have noticed a small amount of puss in my stool.

Probably 4 times over the past 5 years.

4. pain in the middle lower back area. What used to feel like a

hitch in my back now feels more like a burning pain. But this pain

has definitely subsided over the past couple of weeks. But was

intense about 4 out of the 8 past months.

5. Strange " zingy " sensation shooting up my arm, or sometimes my

leg.

6. About 8 months ago I noticed my left elbow bone seemed kinda

sore when applying pressure. Then about 2 months ago, my right

elbow joined in. And now they both hurt (even without applying

pressure) in lovely harmony.

7. About 3 months ago, I was standing on a ladder for about 2

hours, when i got home that evening (about 4 hours later) my knee

was in a great deal of pain, so much pain that it kept my off my

feet for a couple of days. And then went away, in a flash.

8. My fingers are soar at the joints, and I have this like heated

pain radiating from the center of the back of my hands.

9. Excessive flatis.

10. Change in personality. More irritable.

11. Brain fog.

12. Lousy short term memory.

13. Depressed.

I'm sure there are more things but that's all I can think of right

now. Anybody have any input.

Now for my theory. I could be wrong but apparently 70% of all RA

patients are female leaving 30% for men. I think that it stems from

over-use of household cleaning products such as Bleach and Ammonia.

Because (not to sound sexist, but it's probably true that a good

majority of women do not get any help from their macho men. At

least not when it comes to srubbing tubs and toilets. I happen to

be a housekeeper for a hotel for the last 5 years. I was too macho

to wear gloves, and now I have problems. Anyway that's my laymen

theory. Thoughts anyone?

[Guest guest]

I think that I can speak for alot of ra patients. Sounds alot like

the norm to me. I get foggy headed when my blood sugar drops. You

might want to have that tested. I was diagnosed with diabetes about

a year after I was diagnosed with ra. As for the elbows, I have had

2 surgeries on my right elbow and they say that I need 1 more. My

left elbow is hurting also, I am just not ready to deal with that.

There are days when I wake up and I feel like I have broken every

joint in my body!!!

Hang in there and listen to you doc. He will know what's best for

you.

Anyway, welcome to the group.

Gloria in Okla.

>

> First of all, I was recently diagnosed with RA. I am Male, 39.

I'm

> still not convinced that this is what I have. I was sure that I

had

> cancer. Maybe someone can confirm or deny my diagnosis by

> evaluating some of my " strange " symptoms.

>

> 1. Sometimes (usually later in the the day, when I'm more tired,)

> when I'm sitting, the room sometimes feels like it's spinning.

>

> 2. A few times I have had this feeling of anxiety come over me.

So

> intense that I thought for sure my heart would give out. I have

had

> to get up from my desk and go outside for a walk around the

block.

>

> 3. A few times I have noticed a small amount of puss in my stool.

> Probably 4 times over the past 5 years.

>

> 4. pain in the middle lower back area. What used to feel like a

> hitch in my back now feels more like a burning pain. But this

pain

> has definitely subsided over the past couple of weeks. But was

> intense about 4 out of the 8 past months.

>

> 5. Strange " zingy " sensation shooting up my arm, or sometimes my

> leg.

>

> 6. About 8 months ago I noticed my left elbow bone seemed kinda

> sore when applying pressure. Then about 2 months ago, my right

> elbow joined in. And now they both hurt (even without applying

> pressure) in lovely harmony.

>

> 7. About 3 months ago, I was standing on a ladder for about 2

> hours, when i got home that evening (about 4 hours later) my knee

> was in a great deal of pain, so much pain that it kept my off my

> feet for a couple of days. And then went away, in a flash.

>

> 8. My fingers are soar at the joints, and I have this like heated

> pain radiating from the center of the back of my hands.

>

> 9. Excessive flatis.

>

> 10. Change in personality. More irritable.

>

> 11. Brain fog.

>

> 12. Lousy short term memory.

>

> 13. Depressed.

>

> I'm sure there are more things but that's all I can think of right

> now. Anybody have any input.

>

>

>

> Now for my theory. I could be wrong but apparently 70% of all RA

> patients are female leaving 30% for men. I think that it stems

from

> over-use of household cleaning products such as Bleach and

Ammonia.

> Because (not to sound sexist, but it's probably true that a good

> majority of women do not get any help from their macho men. At

> least not when it comes to srubbing tubs and toilets. I happen to

> be a housekeeper for a hotel for the last 5 years. I was too

macho

> to wear gloves, and now I have problems. Anyway that's my laymen

> theory. Thoughts anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

" I could be wrong but apparently 70% of all RA

> patients are female leaving 30% for men. "

I read on a brochure from the Dr's office (Indian Health Services)

that while the general population had a rate of 1-2% who would be

affected by RA, Native American's had a rate of 5-6%. I guarantee you

that us Indians don't overuse harsh chemicals, many of us are

allergic or sensitive to the smell of them even. All the women in my

family are fans of vinegar, baking soda, salt, and almond or other

nut oil for cleaning, disenfecting and polishing.

But it is an interesting theory. There have been links over the years

between exposure to the chemicals in cleaning agents and different

skin conditions, and in higher concentrations (like you'd see in a

lab) there are tentative links to things like lowered birth rates and

cancer. I don't have the link for the medical journal that was

talking about this, but if you like, I'll try to find it and get it

to you. But I agree that cleaning supplies likely aren't the root of

RA. I wish it were that simple.