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Hi. my name is Kate, I am a 31 SAHM & have just been

diagnosed with RA. I first started having symptoms

about 9 mths ago, 4 mths after the birth of my 2nd

child. It started with intense pain in my knees. Then

it spread throughout my body, my fingers, toes ankles,

shoulders, back, hips, basically everywhere. I found

it really difficult to manage on a day to day basis.

My GP started my on Naproxen, which did nothing &

ordered some blood tests which came back neg for RA.

However, after about 2 mths of continuous problems he

decided to refer me to a rheumatalogist.

She started me on Vioxx. Fort the first 3 mths I

thought it had all gone away. In February it all went

crazy. I was in pain everyday. I had to get my husband

home form work so many times as I just physically

couldn't look after my kids.

Finally,I now have a diagnosis, although my blood test

are still coming back neg. the only indication is that

my sediment levels are sky high. I am continuing on

Vioxx & now also taking Sulfasaline but haven't

noticed any major difference with this. the biggest

thing I have discovered to decrease the pain is to

take dairy products out of my diet. Has anyone else

had any benefit with this?

I also wanted to ask does anyone else experience pins

& needles. I have them in my left hand all the time. I

wake up at night with my fingers totally numb &

incredibly painful. Is this another symptom of the RA

or is something else going on?

Kate

http://briefcase..au - Briefcase

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