Guest guest Posted May 25, 2001 Report Share Posted May 25, 2001 Dear a, Boy. that response from you was fast! You must have been sitting at your computer too. Please don't think me obnoxious, and you might have had the same advice from others, but please see a specialist. RA specialists have years of education beyond an internist. In fact, they were internists before their long residency in rheumatology. (I am assuming that the requirements are the same all over the country as in California). In the part of Missouri where my Mother and brothers live, the closest specialist is 200 miles away. Sometimes I briefly think of what a lovely garden I could grow on all that land, but it wouldn't be worth a 400 mile round trip to see a specialist. 30 miles each way is more than enough for me, considering they want blood tests every six weeks. At least I don't go ever week like I did for a long time. I remember what an accomplishment it was the first time I was allowed to go two weeks! Like I said, forgive me if I am being nosey, but I have met people in my RA clinic who suffered for years until they got to a specialist. As a rule, regular doctors and internists don't treat RA as aggressively as specialists. I am sure there are always exceptions! Sincerely, Patsy -----Original Message----- From: a R [mailto:mquiltn@...] Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 1:30 PM Subject: [ ] Re: Patsy to a R. Patsy, Thanks for the info. it sounds very similar to mine. It seems that my middle finger on both hands is where it starts. I sure hope they dont freeze, i could be flipping people of right and left(he he he). I dont go back to the internist until the 25th but my regular doctor wanted to see me for a recheck on the 31st. So i will see if I can wait till then. I was thinking of asking him to xray my hands again (he did it prior to my RA diagnosis in February) I do have a brace i got for my Carpal Tunnel and will go back to wearing that at night and during the day when needed. I will keep you posted on what happens. aR > Hi a, > > My middle finger, right hand, caused me so much misery. X-rays showed the > joint was totally destroyed. My doctor eventually shot it with cortisone. > She wasn't sure the shot would help, since the joint needs to be replaced. > My pain was much less the following day and some of the surrounding pain > went with it. I also got a shot on the right top of my wrist for the carpal > tunnel caused by the RA. What a relief. Cortisone can't be taken too > often, but what a miracle it was for me in that right hand. When Enbrel was > added, the electrical pains that shot up to my shoulder went away. For > awhile I went to hand therapy. The physical therapist told me that the > really good hand surgeons are on the East Coast. I don't think they have > been replacing the finger joints very long. One of these days I will take > care of it, but getting rid of the pain sort of put it out of my mind. > (That finger still has a mind of its own and is constantly reaching out to > knock a glass of water over, but I can live with that). I eat alone more > often, but what the heck! Ha! Another way in which the therapist helped, > was to fit that finger with a stint. Eventually a plastic, pre- made, > plastic brace helped a lot. > > I just wanted to take the time to share this info. Hope it helps! > > Sincerely, > > Patsy > > -----Original Message----- > From: a R [mailto:mquiltn@p...] > Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 8:48 AM > @y... > Subject: [ ] hand pain > > > Hi, > My right hand is killing me. I was awake almost every hour last > night. My middle finger joint(very painful and swallon and hot) is > the center of the pain and it radiates to the fingers and hand with > some numbness(Carpal Tunnel?) and my shoulder was also killing me. > > I am currently taking 2 aleve twice a day. The doc said I could up it > to 6 a day(3 twice a day or 2 three times a day) if i needed to. I > took three last night and it didnt seem to touch the pain in my hand. > Should I ask for prescription. I tried Relefan and it didnt seem to > help. Any recommendations? > > Thanks > aR > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 25, 2001 Report Share Posted May 25, 2001 Dear a, A Rheumy has three more years of study (residency) than an internist. As I said before, I assume the requirements are the same all over. I had shoulder surgery with a great Orthopedic surgeon, but he did not even claim to know anything about RA. Since there is a Rheumy in the town where you work, go see him. I am surprised your internist has not suggested it him/her self! Hope your weekend is nice. I am considering taking myself to a movie and eating tons of popcorn (of course). I have never gone to a movie in my life without eating! Regards, Patsy -----Original Message----- From: a R [mailto:mquiltn@...] Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 2:19 PM Subject: [ ] Re: Patsy to a R. Patsy, When I was diagnosed with RA my regular doc sent me to a 'specialist' i thought he was a rheumatologist. but I found out that he is an Internist. What is the difference between an Internist and primary care and a rheumatologist? I like my internist, but have often thought of switching to rhuemy. but dont want to be rude in asking to be referred to a rhuemy...i am chicken ok..... Their is a Rhuemy in the same town as i work. so it wouldnt be too bad, infact it would be more convenient. I may ask my PC on thursday when I see him. aR > > Hi a, > > > > My middle finger, right hand, caused me so much misery. X-rays > showed the > > joint was totally destroyed. My doctor eventually shot it with > cortisone. > > She wasn't sure the shot would help, since the joint needs to be > replaced. > > My pain was much less the following day and some of the surrounding > pain > > went with it. I also got a shot on the right top of my wrist for > the carpal > > tunnel caused by the RA. What a relief. Cortisone can't be taken > too > > often, but what a miracle it was for me in that right hand. When > Enbrel was > > added, the electrical pains that shot up to my shoulder went away. > For > > awhile I went to hand therapy. The physical therapist told me that > the > > really good hand surgeons are on the East Coast. I don't think > they have > > been replacing the finger joints very long. One of these days I > will take > > care of it, but getting rid of the pain sort of put it out of my > mind. > > (That finger still has a mind of its own and is constantly reaching > out to > > knock a glass of water over, but I can live with that). I eat > alone more > > often, but what the heck! Ha! Another way in which the therapist > helped, > > was to fit that finger with a stint. Eventually a plastic, pre- > made, > > plastic brace helped a lot. > > > > I just wanted to take the time to share this info. Hope it helps! > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Patsy > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: a R [mailto:mquiltn@p...] > > Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 8:48 AM > > @y... > > Subject: [ ] hand pain > > > > > > Hi, > > My right hand is killing me. I was awake almost every hour last > > night. My middle finger joint(very painful and swallon and hot) is > > the center of the pain and it radiates to the fingers and hand with > > some numbness(Carpal Tunnel?) and my shoulder was also killing me. > > > > I am currently taking 2 aleve twice a day. The doc said I could up > it > > to 6 a day(3 twice a day or 2 three times a day) if i needed to. I > > took three last night and it didnt seem to touch the pain in my > hand. > > Should I ask for prescription. I tried Relefan and it didnt seem to > > help. Any recommendations? > > > > Thanks > > aR > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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