Re: finally saw the rheumatologist today

[Guest guest]

,

I know I'm not the only one in the group who wishes they had started (even

known about) Minocin at the first sign of joint pain. Maybe you will be

lucky, and nothing further will develop, and your symptoms will go away. I

would press her, however, to get started ASAP. My rheumatoid factor was 300

before I started any treatment, and I know that is not even considered

particularly high by the docs, but I already had very significant problems

and could barely walk. Prior to that, despite continual joint troubles that

really affected the quality of my life, no doc offered any relief or even

much concern. My sed rate never rose more than a few points past normal,

but my first rheumy seemed more interested in the rheumatoid factor, anyway.

I'm also certain I've read that a few people manifest horrific disease

without their rheumatoid factor ever going beyond the normal range. (I have

an uncle who couldn't even get out of bed, and his was still normal!)

Sorry to sound preachy! Maybe I'm just practicing because this afternoon is

the day I finally have an appointment to bring my daughter back to the

rheumatologist. (She's been diagnosed with Raynaud's, has joint pain in

hands, knees, ankles, toes, has red eyes, etc., but tests for RA have been

normal.) I know she needs intervention NOW before things get worse. I hope

the doc will agree so I don't have to start hauling her from doc to doc to

get help.

Good luck,

Kari

----------

>From: Tate <tate@...>

> " rheumaticonelist " <rheumaticonelist>

>Subject: rheumatic finally saw the rheumatologist today

>Date: Tue, Apr 27, 1999, 12:34 AM

>

>From: Tate <tate@...>

>

>I finally got in to see the rheumatologist today. She said my hip is

>bursitis and gave me a cortizone shot. She said my joints in my hands

>were hot but not swollen. She seemed unimpressed with the positive

>rheumatoid factor (96), and ordered another sed rate and a crp (c

>reactive protein). She is familiar with the antibiotic therapy and I

>expect that as long as all test results as expected, I'll get to start

>it.

>

>Can you tell me more about the sed rate and crp and what the results

>mean?

>

>I'm a little disappointed because I wanted to start AP asap. But at

>least hopefully the hip will feel better soon.

>

>So for now I'm still on ice packs/heating pads and celebrex.

>

>

>

>--

>PLEASE NOTE: New email address. Sorry for any inconvenience.

>

>

>

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