Hello - I wanted to introduce myself

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is Sara and I decided to join tonight. I'm 40 years old and

live in Colorado.

My rheumatologist is about 67% sure that I have RA. I saw her in

November and will be going back this week. I typed in my history

here. I know it's long - I'm sorry! I'm not always able to be

brief when I write!

I was doing fine until the afternoon of June 20th. I spent the day

cleaning closets and my wrists started hurting. I suspected carpal

tunnel because I sometimes have issues with the computer at work.

If I take care of myself, the symptons have always gone away.

This time, they did not. At first, the pain seemed erratic. Then

my toes started hurting. I saw my foot doctor who suspected

arthritis. After a month I decided to see my doctor about my hands.

My elbows were starting to hurt a bit, too. At first she thought I

had fibromyalgia, but I didn't think I really had the symptoms. She

referred me to a rheumatologist and of course, there was a long

waiting period before I could have my initial visit.

By late September, my symptoms had settled into a very predictable

pattern. Mornings were bad - I could no longer make a fist with

either hand. The joints in my fingers were stiff and sore. My

wrists and elbows and toes would hurt. If I sat too long, my knees

were stiff and hurting. I was better if I was doing something, but

overdoing anything would hurt. Actually, I just felt like beating

my head against a wall because the pain would never, ever stop. Not

that it was severe, just chronic. I also had only minor, if any,

swelling.

My rheumatologist gave me prescriptions of hydroxychloroquine and

Voltarin. Within 3 days, all the pain was gone and I felt like my

pre-June 20th days. I could do anything! It was great! Until Dec.

2nd. I had spent all week working 9 - 10 hour days with no lunch

and it all hit me all of a sudden. For the first time my knuckles

swelled up and I hurt even worse than I had before. I've taken it

easy since then. I have a second visit with the rheumatologist this

Thursday to discuss this.

She will go over my hand x-rays at that time. The only test I know

of that comes back positive is elevated ANA. I have no idea what

the numbers are, but I know I had that test taken 2 times this year

and once last year (when suspecting carpal tunnel) and it's a bit

higher than it was in 2004. Again, I imagine I'll discuss this with

my rheumatologist.

I'm not wanting anyone at work to know about this as they are doing

quite a few layoffs right now. I normally don't have to do computer

input all day. My job usually varies with all different types of

office stuff. Which is really good! I'm also afraid I'll get worse

and have to quit someday. My grandfather had severe RA and was on

disability in his 50's.

Thanks for listening.