Guest guest Posted May 5, 2002 Report Share Posted May 5, 2002 Hello, I'm new to this group and thought I would introduce myself like Cecilia. I was diagnosed a couple of months ago after the usual round of doctors who couldn't quite figure out what was going on. I have good days and not so good days. From reading everyone else's posts, I don't think I have it too bad. I'm on methotrexate and plaquenil, and trying to reduce prednisone (been on it for almost a year). The biggest problem I have right now is trying to convince my husband that I don't need to stop working for awhile. I have a stressful job (who doesn't?) and have lots of responsibilities there. I think I'm in major denial about the disease, but most of the time I can function very well. The RA is mainly in my feet and most days I have some degree of pain. Some days it affects my hands which does affect my ability to do my job. Maybe I've just gotten used to it. But I refuse to let this change my life. I don't know if denial is good or whether I'm just being too stubborn and need to take time off. Has anyone found that taking an extended time off has helped their RA? I'm new to this disease and my usual way of dealing with things is just to bulldoze my way through them. I'm hopeful that the meds are working and that it's just a matter of having my body adjust to them so I can get on with things. Any input is welcome. Thanks, gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Hi Kim. I'd recommend a rheumatologist even for fibromyalgia (but I have RA and not fibro). I was looking up some information recently on anti-CCP tests and found a site that lists how people with various diseases compared with RF tests and anti-CCP. A lot of other things cause false positive results with RF but very few cause false positive results with anti-CCP. http://www.axis-shield.com/product/productcats.cfm?businessarea=Lab%20Diagnostics & subcategory=Rheumatoid%20Arthritis It's amazing to me how many medical professionals, including GPs, are terribly uninformed about RA. New medications are becoming available and treatment protocols are being improved so it's hard for even the specialists to be up on everything. A lot of the older rheumatologists also are out of date in their knowledge. (I don't generally knock old people because I'm 76.) You can be a great asset to this board by giving us information on medications or in explaining medical terms so I hope you come here often. Also we know quite a bit about RA and related problems so maybe we can help you by answering some of your questions. Also this is a great place to vent since you are among people who understand. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: kcw1963 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 10:13 AM Subject: Intro Hello:)I do not know yet if I have RA, but do have Hashimoto's Disease and possible fibromyalgia.I was tested for Lupus which was negative, Sjogren's was negative and my Rheumatoid Factor was 10.8 (RA Latex Turbid test) with positive being over 13.9 and my ANA was 1:80 which is positive, but not extremely high. My primary care doc feels I have fibromyalgia and my endo thinks my joint pain from neck to toe is probably not throid-related anymore. My PCP says he plans to send me to a rheumatologist if no better by next appointment on 8/5. I meet all the criteria for positive diagnosis of fibromyalgia, but also have pain in pretty much every joint in my body, including fingers and toes.I know that everyone with RA does not test positive, and that Hashimoto's can cause the ANA to be elevated. What I am confused about is why would someone without RA have any rheumatoid factor at all present? I am an RN, but rheumatology is not my specialty, and neither is endocrinology, so this whole experience has been like going back to college.Thanks in advance for any input, insight, recommendations.Kim WardenTennessee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2004 Report Share Posted July 28, 2004 > > He does have some good articles.... and I don't mind anyone making a > profit but to gorge people is not right. > Suzi Suzi, He is not gorging people but charges the very same price as this Certified Organic Dairy charges his source. http://www.organicpastures.com/dairy.html Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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