Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Deborah and all, Thank you very much for your emails welcoming me. I was a bit worried yesterday coz I sent my introduction email out a few days ago but it didn't come through till this morning. I'm having a flare up of pain at the moment. It started a few days ago. I'm seeing my GP on Friday so will see what he says. Got some swelling in joints as well. I'm hoping he'll order some blood tests. He might just put it down to the somatoform disorder of course. Well, speak to you all soon. Love Becky xxx ----- Original Message ----- From: Deborah Bargad Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 7:47 AM Subject: Re: Hi all - new here Dear Becky- Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time getting around. Any illness that can cause the body to imbalance your immune system like flu or pox can cause RA. Chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia and Ra all seem to go hand in hand. Let us know if you RA factor is positive. There are medications that might get you back on your feet and moving around depending on what the test results are. Keep us informed. Hugs, Deborah in Maine USA On 8/12/06, Becky Watkins <becky.rebecca.watkins1btinternet> wrote: Hiya everyone, Hope you're all well. I'm new here. Just joined. Here's my introduction: I'm Becky, 31 and from England. I've been ill since 1997. It all started through chicken pox and a Spanish flu whilst working in the Canary Islands as a DJ in 1997. I was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome but in 2001 the dr's changed the diagnosis to somatoform disorder. However, recently my GP is looking into rheumatoid arthritis. Whether this is an additional illness to the original one or whether the original illness has developed into RA I don't know. I use a wheelchair and 2 crutches. I don't know a lot about RA so would appreciate any websites anyone can send me about it. I'm married to and have 3 dogs and 1 cat. I've also been able to do 1 day a week for the last 2 years at my local college studying diploma in welfare studies which I really enjoyed. I'm now going onto study with the Open University in October and hope to get a degree in social sciences. Along with my physical problems, I also have a mental illness and depression. That's about enough for me for now. Hope to get to know you all soon. Love Becky xxx No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/419 - Release Date: 15/08/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 General information about RA http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/booklets/6033/6033.htm I think the above link is to my favorite site for general information about RA Few doctors other than rheumatologists are really able to diagnose or treat RA so I hope you can get in to see a specialist. If you tell us what treatments you have tried and the results we may be able to offer suggestions of things that might help. There are a lot of possible treatments for RA and it is trial and error to see what works for any individual. Also RA can be a very hard disease to diagnose. The American College of Rheumatology has developed 7 criteria for RA but any four of them qualify for a positive diagnosis because the disease is so variable. 1. Morning stiffness, lasting for at least an hour, present daily for at least 6 weeks 2. Arthritis of 3 or more joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks 3. Arthritis of the hand joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks 4. Symmetric arthritis, lasting for at least 6 weeks 5. Rheumatoid nodules 6. Positive rheumatoid factor (blood test) 7. Joint changes on x-ray If you have four or more of these you might well have RA but it takes a rheumatologist to know for sure. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Becky Watkins Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 12:57 PM : Rheumatoid arthritis Subject: Hi all - new here Hiya everyone, Hope you're all well. I'm new here. Just joined. Here's my introduction: I'm Becky, 31 and from England. I've been ill since 1997. It all started through chicken pox and a Spanish flu whilst working in the Canary Islands as a DJ in 1997. I was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome but in 2001 the dr's changed the diagnosis to somatoform disorder. However, recently my GP is looking into rheumatoid arthritis. Whether this is an additional illness to the original one or whether the original illness has developed into RA I don't know. I use a wheelchair and 2 crutches. I don't know a lot about RA so would appreciate any websites anyone can send me about it. I'm married to and have 3 dogs and 1 cat. I've also been able to do 1 day a week for the last 2 years at my local college studying diploma in welfare studies which I really enjoyed. I'm now going onto study with the Open University in October and hope to get a degree in social sciences. Along with my physical problems, I also have a mental illness and depression. That's about enough for me for now. Hope to get to know you all soon. Love Becky xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I just wanted to say that is a great site! I am from US, but really enjoyed reading it! Thanks..... I have RA! Thanks Again for the info ROsann > > General information about RA > > http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/booklets/6033/6033.htm > > > > I think the above link is to my favorite site for general information about > RA Few doctors other than rheumatologists are really able to diagnose or > treat RA so I hope you can get in to see a specialist. If you tell us what > treatments you have tried and the results we may be able to offer > suggestions of things that might help. There are a lot of possible > treatments for RA and it is trial and error to see what works for any > individual. Also RA can be a very hard disease to diagnose. The American > College of Rheumatology has developed 7 criteria for RA but any four of them > qualify for a positive diagnosis because the disease is so variable. > > 1. Morning stiffness, lasting for at least an hour, present daily for at > least 6 weeks > 2. Arthritis of 3 or more joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks > 3. Arthritis of the hand joints, lasting for at least 6 weeks > 4. Symmetric arthritis, lasting for at least 6 weeks > 5. Rheumatoid nodules > 6. Positive rheumatoid factor (blood test) > 7. Joint changes on x-ray > > > > If you have four or more of these you might well have RA but it takes a > rheumatologist to know for sure. God bless. > > > > _____ > > From: Rheumatoid Arthritis > [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Becky Watkins > Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 12:57 PM > : Rheumatoid arthritis > Subject: Hi all - new here > > > > Hiya everyone, > > > > Hope you're all well. I'm new here. Just joined. Here's my introduction: > > > > I'm Becky, 31 and from England. I've been ill since 1997. It all started > through chicken pox and a Spanish flu whilst working in the Canary Islands > as a DJ in 1997. I was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome but > in 2001 the dr's changed the diagnosis to somatoform disorder. > > > > However, recently my GP is looking into rheumatoid arthritis. Whether this > is an additional illness to the original one or whether the original illness > has developed into RA I don't know. I use a wheelchair and 2 crutches. I > don't know a lot about RA so would appreciate any websites anyone can send > me about it. > > > > I'm married to and have 3 dogs and 1 cat. I've also been able to do 1 > day a week for the last 2 years at my local college studying diploma in > welfare studies which I really enjoyed. I'm now going onto study with the > Open University in October and hope to get a degree in social sciences. > > > > Along with my physical problems, I also have a mental illness and > depression. > > > > That's about enough for me for now. Hope to get to know you all soon. > > > > > > Love > > > Becky > > xxx > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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