The Conservative Cave
Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on February 14, 2010, 03:53:10 PM
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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=317x3882
Oh my.
tango-tee (353 posts) Sun Feb-14-10 09:13 AM
Original message
Waiting for a diagnosis from the doc.... RA? Something else?
In the late fall I went to see an orthopedic specialist for a stiff, painful, swollen joint in one finger of my right hand, which just wouldn't get better. He x-rayed, said it was not broken, took a blood test and said I had RA.
Went to my doc who did a complete physical. My RA factor is negative, and I am supposed to go back to the orthopedic specialist. However, in the meantime, all the joints in my fingers are swollen, and my right foot now hurts terribly as well. I'm having a grand old time trying to make it to the subway stop early in the morning in all this snow, let me tell you.
The pain is at its worst in the mornings, then gets better during the daytime. Hot water, such as in washing dishes, helps as well. Lately, there is weakness in my wrists, for example, I have a rough time turning a key in the lock. To lift a bottle of dishwashing liquid, I have to use both hands.
I've tried checking on the internet, but have come across so many illnesses that I'm about to turn into a hypochondriac!
For a few months I've also had a slight rash under my nose, extending downward to the lips. A light cortisone cream given to me by my doc has made that disappear, though. I had already suspected lupus...
I simply don't know anymore.... my only wish is to receive a definite diagnosis of what is the matter. Then the doc and I can see about a course of action.
Thank you so much for letting me vent. This uncertainty, in addition to the pain, is driving me around the bend. I checked into getting in to see a rheumatologist - 3 month waiting period.
Warpy (1000+ posts) Sun Feb-14-10 12:29 PM
NON-DONOR TO SKINS'S ISLAND!
THE DEFROCKED WARPED PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message
1. Waiting sucks, but that's what you're going to have to do
There are a lot of possibilities out there, RA and gout among them. You could also have some osteoarthritis, appearing at younger ages now thanks to the increase in sports like running. A rheumatologist is your best bet for figuring out which of the usual alphabet soup you might have and designing a treatment plan to help you retain as much function for as long as possible.
Rheumatoid factor tends to wax and wane, so it's not unusual to have a positive test one time and a negative test the next. There is a whole battery of tests that can nail it down better as well as tests for the inflammation process, itself.
In the meantime, while you're waiting, OTC NSAID drugs like Motrin, Aleve, and Orudis, as well as plain old aspirin, can cut inflammation and relieve some of the pain. You do need to take them every day to build up a steady blood level, though. Also ask your GP whether or not you can get a mild narcotic to tide you over until you can get in to see the rheumie.
As for turning that key, go to a hardware store for a tube of graphite and squirt it into the lock. That will lubricate the lock so that the key practically turns itself. Use graphite, not any oil. Graphite doesn't evaporate and get sticky.
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ObamaCare says take the blue pill for temporary help and the red pill for a permanent solution
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Doctor! Doctor! It hurts when I turn a key!
go to a hardware store for a tube of graphite and squirt it into the lock.
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I don't want to be the one to shit on this parade and if ANY of you remind me in the future that I ever defended a DUmp monkey post I'll contact the United Nations and have them send you a strongly worded letter DEMANDING you stop!
My father was stricken with RA at the age of 25. Watching him grimace and moan in severe pain just to walk let along sit up, get out of bed, stand up from a chair, even move a fork from his plate to his mouth, get dressed and walk across the room was terrible.
He had both of his hips replaced twice, both knees replaced, both elbows repaired, every joint in his hands and fingers either fused or replaced, feet and toes operated on, or fused, and numerous calcium RA knots continuously removed from his arms throughout his life.
I would NEVER wish that shit on any one, even a DUmmy.
Apparently RA is where the immune system attacks the joints and it can be a grossly disfiguring mother****er. All of his fingers and toes were eventually bent at 90 degree angles from their normal directions. He could still hold his fishing rod and point a shotgun though...
Gawd the years of special shoes, braces, bandages from the latest surgery du jour, hands full of meds, bad moods, and treatments were a pain in the ass. A real impact on the whole family. Yet, he continued to hunt and fish through his mid-60's and WENT TO WORK EVERY-****ING-DAY!!
He was an engineer for AT&T, formerly Mountain Bell and he NEVER called in sick yet I would watch him limping out to his truck to head out to work for the 20 years that I lived at home and through 38 years until he retired.
Unlike a DUmmy, against all of those odds, he never failed to show up for work, always put grub on the table, drank heavily, and was a real S.O.B. to live with a LOT of the time. But, he manned up and did his job!
So **** the DUmmys anyway!
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Right on PG, maybe science will find a way to stop the immune system from doing that some day soon, if their profit motive isn't stripped away that is