Having RA for years before DX WAS Re: Mostafa

June 2, 2006

wrote:

***I too think I had RA for many years before it finally manifested in

my fingers so that it could be identified. I had extreme fatigue,

infections, pain, etc, for ten years, then about a year and a half ago

I got very clinically depressed.***

and others,

I believe I had RA (or pre symptoms) for 3-4 years before I was

officially dx. I have a family history of RA, so I had even suggested

to my regular DR. that I thought what I was experiencing was RA. I

went to see my Dr. because I couldn't lift my right arm from the side

of my body and it was painful. He pressed on several spots around my

arm and shoulder and when I said where he was pressing didn't hurt he

said it wasn't RA. He gave me some meds (can't remember the name, but

this med was banned a couple of years ago--lots of publicity). The

problem went away in a few days. Three or four times a year, I'd have

an arm with this same problem that would last for 2-3 days.

I was also experiencing fatigue for over 3 years, but I didn't realize

this was a symptom of RA. I remember often feeling poorly about myself

because of being so exhausted after a normal (but busy) day work. It

would be hard to just get dinner and dishes done. I'd sometimes feel I

must be lazy because I knew women who worked full-time who had several

children who ere so much busier than me in the evening (this was

before I became a mom). Why couldn't I get more done?

I was dx quickly with RA when I had a month of a finger being swollen

and a wrist with severe pain. This was quickly followed by ankle pain.

Now, I wonder if I had any permanent joint damage because I didn't

start the drugs that prevent it sooner. Does anyone else worry about

that?

I do think my DR. sent me immediately to an RA specialist that time

because I once again told him of my family history of RA. I remember

my DR saying they using wait a few months to see of the symptoms go

away. Heck, I'd been bed ridden in a few months if I hadn't start RA

meds within 6 weeks (took that long to get my initial appt with RA

Dr). As it was, it took more 6-8 months to get the meds to a point

where I wasn't in a lot of pain with several joints ususally swollen.

Jean

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