Re: DIAGNOSED WITH RA & NEEDS SERIOUS SUPPORT

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/30/2005 10:34:04 AM Central Standard Time,

DNEMCHICK@... writes:

Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

support.

Yes, I experience it every day, and would like to send you a virtual hug

because I know how afraid and lonely you are feeling.

The pain in my hands and feet is excrutiating without pain medication. I

have recently been to a new rheumatologist who feels I have been misdiagnosed,

and is exploring post-Lymes disease syndrome.

I hope you utilize this list for support as often as you can. We're all here

to share and listen!

Kirsten Kraushaar, MN

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/30/2005 10:34:04 AM Central Standard Time,

DNEMCHICK@... writes:

Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

support.

Yes, I experience it every day, and would like to send you a virtual hug

because I know how afraid and lonely you are feeling.

The pain in my hands and feet is excrutiating without pain medication. I

have recently been to a new rheumatologist who feels I have been misdiagnosed,

and is exploring post-Lymes disease syndrome.

I hope you utilize this list for support as often as you can. We're all here

to share and listen!

Kirsten Kraushaar, MN

[Guest guest]

Hello

My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

helping.

Hi Lillian,

My RA started just like yours-horribly swollen hands, red, painful and burning

especially in the night. Because I have so much osteo, I started with my Ortho

and we did oa things that didn't help. Serendipity was my regular physical

where my internist did lots of blood tests, called me a week later and said he

suspected RA from the blood tests and gave me the name of the Rheumy he wanted

me to see. He also gave me something called garapentin(maybe gabapentin)-it did

nothing for the pain but boy did it get rid of the burning.

On my own I made an appointment with my ortho and requested immediate physical

therapy on my hands. I know this wouldn't be the answer for everyone-but that

therapy was the best idea I had. My pt place of choice (after two oa knee

replacements)has a therapist who is a hand specialist. Each visit started out

with warm wax treatment for the hands followed by flexibility and strengthing

exercises. Also exercises to do several times a day at home between visits. By

the time I went to see the Rheumy, I had graduated from pt with hands that were

in such better shape I was embarrassed to show them to Rheumy. My blood tests

bore out the diagnosis of RA and he started me on oral Mtx and Placquenil- my

second visit is next week. My hands are still swollen but getting

stronger-whooped with glee when I got the pop top off the dogfood can myself.

I know therapy won't help everyone but it might be a suggestion.

Kathy Schark

Hamden CT

kschark@...

[Guest guest]

Hello

My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

helping.

Hi Lillian,

My RA started just like yours-horribly swollen hands, red, painful and burning

especially in the night. Because I have so much osteo, I started with my Ortho

and we did oa things that didn't help. Serendipity was my regular physical

where my internist did lots of blood tests, called me a week later and said he

suspected RA from the blood tests and gave me the name of the Rheumy he wanted

me to see. He also gave me something called garapentin(maybe gabapentin)-it did

nothing for the pain but boy did it get rid of the burning.

On my own I made an appointment with my ortho and requested immediate physical

therapy on my hands. I know this wouldn't be the answer for everyone-but that

therapy was the best idea I had. My pt place of choice (after two oa knee

replacements)has a therapist who is a hand specialist. Each visit started out

with warm wax treatment for the hands followed by flexibility and strengthing

exercises. Also exercises to do several times a day at home between visits. By

the time I went to see the Rheumy, I had graduated from pt with hands that were

in such better shape I was embarrassed to show them to Rheumy. My blood tests

bore out the diagnosis of RA and he started me on oral Mtx and Placquenil- my

second visit is next week. My hands are still swollen but getting

stronger-whooped with glee when I got the pop top off the dogfood can myself.

I know therapy won't help everyone but it might be a suggestion.

Kathy Schark

Hamden CT

kschark@...

[Guest guest]

Hi, my name is . I have had very bad pain in my hands and it has left

my hands very deformed. However, the pain does go away as time goes by. So

don't panic too much there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It will change in time. How long? Everyone is different. Before you know

it you will see some change. Good Luck.

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

Hi, my name is . I have had very bad pain in my hands and it has left

my hands very deformed. However, the pain does go away as time goes by. So

don't panic too much there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It will change in time. How long? Everyone is different. Before you know

it you will see some change. Good Luck.

Anjillah@...

[Guest guest]

hello i'm mike . i have bad hands too. i need more info on meds. i'll help as

much as i can. because we all know that pain. i'll keep you in my prayers.

your friend mike

nemnat <DNEMCHICK@...> wrote:Hello

My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

helping.

Every morning i wake up with excrutiating pain in my hands. The pain

is almost unbearable. I never felt such a harsh pain in my life.

Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

support.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hello Lillian-

I think you will find that most of us in this group have experienced

the kind of pain you are talking about at various times and in

various " parts " . You have found a place where people can relate to

your experience and " feel your pain " so to speak.

It's frustrating and difficult when you feel that you are not

getting the help that you need. Are you seeing a rheumatologist?

What meds. are you currently taking? There are so many medications

for RA, and they are most often used in combination. Sometimes it

takes a while to find the right mix of meds. You do need to speak

to your doctor about this pain you are experiencing.

I have learned that different rheumatologists have different

philosophies when it comes to medicating RA. My current rheum.

tends to be conservative - his question to me is usually " Is it

bearable? " However, I recently met a rheumatologist at a conference

who describes himself as aggressive in his treatment philosophy -

his question is " Are you where you want to be yet? "

Don't give up. There is a doctor and medication out there for you

and your symptoms. Sometimes you have to do a little searching.

I wish you the best - hang in there. Come to this group when you

need support. in Texas

> Hello

>

> My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

> November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

> helping.

>

> Every morning i wake up with excrutiating pain in my hands. The

pain

> is almost unbearable. I never felt such a harsh pain in my life.

>

> Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

> support.

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

hello i'm mike . i have bad hands too. i need more info on meds. i'll help as

much as i can. because we all know that pain. i'll keep you in my prayers.

your friend mike

nemnat <DNEMCHICK@...> wrote:Hello

My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

helping.

Every morning i wake up with excrutiating pain in my hands. The pain

is almost unbearable. I never felt such a harsh pain in my life.

Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

support.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hello Lillian-

I think you will find that most of us in this group have experienced

the kind of pain you are talking about at various times and in

various " parts " . You have found a place where people can relate to

your experience and " feel your pain " so to speak.

It's frustrating and difficult when you feel that you are not

getting the help that you need. Are you seeing a rheumatologist?

What meds. are you currently taking? There are so many medications

for RA, and they are most often used in combination. Sometimes it

takes a while to find the right mix of meds. You do need to speak

to your doctor about this pain you are experiencing.

I have learned that different rheumatologists have different

philosophies when it comes to medicating RA. My current rheum.

tends to be conservative - his question to me is usually " Is it

bearable? " However, I recently met a rheumatologist at a conference

who describes himself as aggressive in his treatment philosophy -

his question is " Are you where you want to be yet? "

Don't give up. There is a doctor and medication out there for you

and your symptoms. Sometimes you have to do a little searching.

I wish you the best - hang in there. Come to this group when you

need support. in Texas

> Hello

>

> My name is Lillian. I was just diagnosed with RA this passed

> November. I am on all kinds of medication & nothing seems to be

> helping.

>

> Every morning i wake up with excrutiating pain in my hands. The

pain

> is almost unbearable. I never felt such a harsh pain in my life.

>

> Has anyone experienced this?? If so PLEASE write back, i need

> support.

> Thanks