new - can someone check my symptoms?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
new - can someone check my symptoms?
13
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 6:02pm

Hello everyone!


My name is Lindsay and I would appreciate your feedback!

 

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2006
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 5:14am

Hi Lindsay!


Well, I'm no doc or rheumy, but sounds like you're having some real trouble there.

~Lisa

My Site

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 10:14am

Welcome, Lindsay. Many of your symptoms fall into the range of some of the autoimmune diseases, as you are aware. And, your doctor is right--the tests don't always tell the absolute truth. You're on the right track by making an appointment with a rheumatologist. Did you ask them to call you if there are any cancellations between now and your scheduled appointment? That sometimes works.

All of us here have been through the "What's wrong with me?" thing. Some of the autoimmune diseases are really hard to diagnose--especially since many of the symptoms overlap. I was one of the "lucky" ones--an immediate diagnosis due to an off the chart RA factor.

As to what you can do for now, your anti-inflammatories should help some. If Voltaren isn't doing the job, ask your doctor to try another (Relafen works best for me). Pain medication can be helpful, but our bodies quickly become used to them and their effectiveness diminishes in time. For the swelling in your ankles, try ice packs--just be sure to put a towel or something between your skin and the ice. For the aches without swelling, heat seems to help. Around here, we're sold on rice bags that can be heated in the micro and fit around the ouchy joint.

I don't know of any answer to the fatigue--wish I did. There were times when I think I could have slept 24 hours a day and still felt tired. As hard as it sounds, some form of exercise does help. To prevent damage to inflamed joints, water exercise is great.

And, feel free to come here and scream, yell and cry. We really do understand, and it's amazing how much better that kind of understanding can make you feel.

Glad you joined us.

Rosemary

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 12:52pm

Hi Lindsay and welcome.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 4:57pm

Thanks so much to all of you who responded...I really appreciate it.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Tue, 03-28-2006 - 5:27pm

Glad to help. Know what you mean about the internet research--can scare anyone to death. Almost as bad as the "information" sheets that come with prescriptions.

I did have the swelling and some pain in my ankles during a bad flare. It was so bad that the flesh on my ankles hung over my shoes -- ugh! Once the flare was under control, the swelling went away. I still get it occasionally in my right ankle if I have really been on my feet for an extended period of time or walked lots, but nothing like it used to be.

I've also had the nodules--mine were on my ankles and elbows. The ones on my ankles pretty much disappeared when we hit on the "right" treatment, and the ones on my elbows are there, but they are no longer sore.

There's nothng wrong with a second opinion, and you might find that you can relate to one doctor much better than the other. That's so important because, if it is some type of autoimmune thing, the partnership between you and your doctor is going to be very important when it comes to treatment and care. I was lucky in finding my doctor, but we have some real horror stories around here about some doctors we've run into.

As far as the abdominal pain, Voltaren can be hard on the tummy for some people. Or, if the pain is in your ribs, there is a condition called costochronditis (someone help me with the spelling here) that is tied to RA. This is definitely a question for your doctor.

You might start keeping a journal of how you feel each day--fatigue and pain and symptoms. This can help the doctor in making a diagnosis. Also, start a list of questions you want to ask the rheumy. Trust me, if they're not in writing, you are going to forget to ask them.

Keep in touch.

Rosemary

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Wed, 03-29-2006 - 12:34pm

Hi again, Lindsay.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Wed, 03-29-2006 - 7:02pm

Thank you SO much Rosemary and Molly for your responses....I so do appreciate it.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Thu, 03-30-2006 - 1:21pm
YIKES!!!!

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 10:09am

Visit went well - I really liked him.....he did a full history and exam.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 12:29pm

I'm really glad you liked the doctor.

Molly

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