Re: I am new, exhausted, and sore!

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita,

In my research, I came across sympots lists for RA and lupus, it

appears to me that I exhibit more Lupus symptoms than RA. I now have

health insurance and have an appointment with a new Rheumy in January

(that is the first available appointment...omg!) I just hope he is

good. I got recommendations from lupus and ra patients for him so I

am hoping.

***I have tested positive for both RA and Lupus(18 years ago), been dx'd with

Fibromyalgia and Sjogren's. I haven't had a positive RA or Lupus test since.

It's crazy how these diseases present themselves. Everyone's stories are so

different, yet the same. Have you had any positives?

I have a couple questions for the group that I don't know if they can

be answered or not but it is worth a shot.

So here goes:

1. Has anyone heard and/or tried the grain free diet for

inflammation? I just started it and am hoping it helps.

Is that Mercola? No, but about ten days ago I went back to the strict veg diet

I used to follow in my younger, feeling way better days. No meat, dairy, refined

sugar, only tiny bit of caffiene (til I can wean off completely). Added herbal

anti-inflammatories and am to begin an adrenal support tincture tomorrow. I

have had the best past 5 days in ages.

2. Did anyone else think they might have lupus and it was just RA,

or vice versa?

***Yes, still not sure, but with the last flare up I had I displayed " classic "

RA

joint involvement. So, I guess now I am sure about the RA. I did have one MD

tell

me, oh about 8 years ago, that I didn't have RA at all, I had fat puffy

fingers

because I was fat.....omg. The funny thing is that soon after that he went on

medical leave for stress or mental strain or something and his replacement

wanted

to put me on MTX. My point here is that he was dealing with his own demons and

I think it is more common than not, that we are not the only concern in their

lives.

So, I am not sure were I am going here, just that sometimes they aren't giving

it

there best and thinking of the individual patient and what all of their

treatments

might mean for us. And our families, jobs etc.

3. How do you explain to a doctor that the pain is so tiring and the

lack of sleep isso bad that you need something to help with both

without sounding like a drug addict. That seems to be a huge concern

here in FLorida. I currently am on nothing for pain and never have

been, it is like they are afraid to give me something.

***I work in a doctor's office(my PCP's) and it is a big concern when people

" seek " drugs. Usually only when a patient is new and is just coming in for the

meds though. In your case, you need to tell it like it is. If you can't rest,

you cannot work etc. If your PCP or RA doc doesn't want to treat your pain,

maybe they can refer you to a pain management specialist. They can be

invaluable. I know that with many PPO plans(mine included) it is more expensive

to see specialists, but it might be an option. In my experience, doctors seem

all too willing to push pills. After I was first diagnosed, 18 years ago, I was

on so much stuff, I was is a stupor and couldn't care for my 2 yo son(single

parent), that is when I first explored holistic options. I don't know if this

helps, and I am pretty new here too, and I am rambling. Wish you luck.....

Normal.....what is that? LOL

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita

Glad you are going to get your insurance back.

My doc tested me for lupus, lyme disease,RA and other things all at the same

time

when I was first diagnosed.

I know my rheum. doc does not believe in pain med but would send me to a pain

management clinic if I wanted

but my Gp will give me pain meds if I ask. I just use them when it is really

bad though not

all the time because they kind of fog me up.

Good luck and hope you like your new doc.

Joy

Anita <polishanita@...> wrote:

Hi,

My name is Anita. I am 40 and was diagnosed with RA and fibromyalgia

two years ago. However since the diagnosis, any medication we have

tried for the RA seems to be only minorly effective or not effective

at all. Even Enbrel and MTX have not really helped. And all the while

my immune system has become weaker and weaker. I was constantly sick.

In July, I made a big move across the state of Florida to pursue my

masters degree. I lost my helath insurance for a 4 month period and

during that time I had no MTX or Enbrel. Guess what, i did not feel

any different, except I was sick less often. This led me to try and

research ways to improve my immune system and see if that helped.

In my research, I came across sympots lists for RA and lupus, it

appears to me that I exhibit more Lupus symptoms than RA. I now have

health insurance and have an appointment with a new Rheumy in January

(that is the first available appointment...omg!) I just hope he is

good. I got recommendations from lupus and ra patients for him so I

am hoping.

I have a couple questions for the group that I don't know if they can

be answered or not but it is worth a shot.

So here goes:

1. Has anyone heard and/or tried the grain free diet for

inflammation? I just started it and am hoping it helps.

2. Did anyone else think they might have lupus and it was just RA,

or vice versa?

3. How do you explain to a doctor that the pain is so tiring and the

lack of sleep isso bad that you need something to help with both

without sounding like a drug addict. That seems to be a huge concern

here in FLorida. I currently am on nothing for pain and never have

been, it is like they are afraid to give me something.

Thank you!

Trying to stay normal (LOL)

Anita

Joy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit Joy's Homepage and Reading Room!

http://jhoormann-ivil.tripod.com

Come see My Dog Salsa!

http://www.geocities.com/jhoorm01/Salsa.html