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Date: 06.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: please help me

hi my name is laura im 22 and i have noticed for a long time now that i get muscle pains for no reason i can get up in the morning and it will be there i went to my doctor a while ago as they thought it might be cos i dont need my iron tablets anymore and i dont but the problem has got worse i recently am finding that my fingers in both hands go very stiff over last few days i have had dull muscular pain in both hands, feet, neck i also find that when i sit down for long time when i get up it hurts to walk. i went to my gp again and told her again and she asked if rheumatid and osteoarthritis are in my family which it is my mum has both. im quite worried that i have it too
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: Dilizjo

Subject: Re: please help me

Hi Laura, sorry to hear that you are having a nasty time of it at the moment, if your doctor hasn't already referred you to a specialist ask them to do so as soon as possible, then your mind can be put at rest, meanwhile kep checking back on here cos I have found these forums empathetic and supportive.
Hope all goes well please let us know how you get on:)
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: Patricia

Subject: Re: please help me

Hi Laura. So sorry that you are not feeling very well. Before I was diagnosed I got a lot of muscle ache and stiffness especially in my neck, back and feet. It then progressed to hands, knees etc.

You need to go back to your GP Laura and explain again how poorly you feel. They need to take blood tests for you. Having said that not everyone who has RA has the rheumatoid factor in their blood - I don't. They can however give you some anti inflammatories to take to help relieve the pain you are feeling. If that isn't enough then you need to be referred to a rheumatologist sooner rather than later so you can get a diagnosis.

In the meantime try to keep moving but don't overdo it. Rest when you feel you need to. One thing about rheumatoid is it brings on massive fatigue. Feel like you are walking through wet sand!!!! I used to take Solpadeine Max from the pharmacy whilst I was waiting for my referral. It is high strength codeine and paracetemol. Not sure if this will be suitable for you because I am not a doc and don't know your medical history. However, they worked for me until my condition got much worse.

Please don't be in pain and please don't worry. There are so many medications to help these days :-)

Take care....x
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: please help me

Im not sure i have the rheumatoid factor in my blood either but when I went in with numbness in elbow/fingers my specialist said its the start.


Over the counter you can get Solpadol which is quite strong painkiller and take that with Ibuprofen without a perscription if you cant get to the GP but you have to be very careful to check you are not allergic with it or taking any other meds that might interfer.

The Dr's/GP wont be able to perscribe Arthritc meds but they should be able to give you co-codamol for pain and diclofenic or another drug like Ibuprofen for any muscle problem.

It could be a viral infection too that mimics other diseases so I would see how you go on just normal painkillers and Ibuprofen to see if it helps before asking the dr for anything stronger as thats an avenue if you dont have to go down will be better in the long run

Dont worry there is help and it might take time but as everyone says dont worry.

Try hot/cold showers as both work for some people or try elevating your legs when sitting etc but try and get up and move even if it hurts so you dont get extra pan while sitting/lying down for too long in one position

It can be a slow process but you have to let the DR know how much pain you are in for them to be able to do something about it.
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: please help me

i was 23 when i was diagnosed so i know how awful it is when you are going thru the motions with the doctors. My only advice would be to write down the problems you are having so that you can go to the docs and physiclly hand them somthing with everything on. I did that and found it made my doctors jump into gear rather than comming up with silly excuses to explain the pain (ie, its just a strained muscle ect).
be firm and im sure you will get the help you deserve. I know its easyer said than done, but try not to worry :)
x
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

hi everyone thank you so much for your replys my doctor has sent me to have a blood test im going wednesday.my legs feel like lead when i walk and i have alot of pain in arms ,hands and wrists. i also find that when i sit down for ages and i get up and stand and walk it can be painful
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Date: 06.06.2011
From: amy

Subject: Re: please help me

Ive been having pain for 12 months now, which started out with a stiff neck, ive been to the doctors several times and he assured me it wasnt RA, and sent me for blood tests.. ive had about 4 blood tests through my gp and they all came back negative, so he advised me to have my contraceptive implant taken out, to see if that was causing the pain..turns out.. it wasnt. so then he reffered me to a rheumatologist at my local hospital.. she gave me a proper examination, from head to toe and did a series of blood tests, i had to go to the hospital today for a musculoskeletal ultrascound scan on my hands and feet.. which then RA was confirmed, along with the results from the blood samples. its come as a big shock for me and my family as im only 19..but im glad to see im not alone.
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Date: 07.06.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: please help me

Oh Amy bless you!!! So young but it seems you have a good family around you support is so important. All the girls and guys on here will give you all the support you need also. Amy take care!!!!! X
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Date: 07.06.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: please help me

Laura, I am not missing you out, i hope your tests are good news. I also noticed you are only 22yrs. Bless you Take Care !!!! Let us know how you get on. X
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Date: 07.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

hi thanks for your reply im on nurofen at the moment as i have a lactose allergy which affects medication. going for my blood test tomorrow so hopefully will get them back next week
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Date: 08.06.2011
From: Laura

Subject: Re: please help me

Hi I have had my blood test today and I wondered if anyone could give me advise on painkillers I have been on Nurofen for days I have to be careful what I take cos I'm lactose intolerant.
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Date: 09.06.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: please help me

best thing would be to speak to the GP. I would say paracetamol and codeine or something like that but the better pain killers are prescription only. Hope they find something you can take without it causing you too many problems with regards to the lactose intolerance. let us know how you get on x
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Date: 13.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

hi all i phoned up for my test results and they said doctor wants to see me for routine appointment. they must have found something im worried cos although they say routine appointment if it was clear they would have said i hope anyway. im very worried about what they will tell me will be getting an appointment this week and will let u know how i get on
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Date: 13.06.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: please help me

Laura, try not to worry too much, easier said than done. Sending best to you take care X
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Date: 15.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

hi went to doctor got my results they came back abnormal there is inflammation the doctor said my symptoms are consistent with rheumatoid arthritis im being reffered to rheumatologist
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Date: 16.06.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: please help me

Im sorry that you have abnormal results. Its never nice to hear even if you your self knows somethings not right.
Have you any idea how long you may be waiting to see the rummy? if the GP hasnt given you anything like Naproxen and decent pain relif then it will be worth asking for it because it will help in the long run.
I was 22 when they syspected RA and 23 when i was diagnosed. Just remember you arnt alone :) the sooner you get treated the better. Hugs x
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Date: 16.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

hi i should get the paper work in few weeks then can make my appointment from there. its so hard cos i dont know what im dealing with he said one test had come back and my markers were up he said one test came back negative for rheumatoid arthritis but its not an accurate test another test came back positive
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Date: 17.06.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: please help me

thats good, ive heard of some people having to wait months. Its frusterating when you are waiting, not knowing exactly what it is but once you see the rummy and he/she does their tests ect then hopefully they will be able to give you more answers.
One bit of advice, if you start to feel any worse or you get a new symptom please keep going to the GP and letting them know, as they will put it on record, and in the long run they will be able to see how whatever it is, is changeing as time goes on. dont keep it to yourself untill you see the rummy. And push for pain relife if you feel you need it :)
x
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Date: 18.06.2011
From: Joskin

Subject: Re: please help me

Hi,

Nobody can tell you if you have arthritis or not but you must demand to be seen by specialist, it took me 20 years to be diagnosed with ankylosing spondilitis and RA.

A diagnosis can make it easier but can also take time to get medication right, I wish you all the luck with it one way or another.
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Date: 19.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

omg 20 years to be diagnosed that must really have been frustrating i was diagnosed with a bladder disease in december and that really frustrated me 20 years must be even worse. thank you all for your advise i am going to be seen by rheumatologist got to make an appointment contact details come through already
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Date: 19.06.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: please help me

If they "think" you might have Arthritis or the start of it they might start you on meds anyway.

My specialist said the "Sulfasalazine" is for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Since ive stopped taking it not felt sny worse so not sure it was doing anything.

Once you see your Rhumy discuss other things that might accompany the arthritis like fibtomyalgia or some other close things and get as much info as you can so tgat if anything develops you will be prepared.

Dont let them fob you off. Ive done this and now regret it.

Hope you keep well and things move pretty fast from now on with specialist
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Date: 19.06.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: please help me

its amaznig how may of us do feel fobbed off or have been made to feel like that at some point! i think its just consultants in general who had an uninterested attitude... they all attended the same charm school when becomming consultants hahaha!
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Date: 19.06.2011
From: laura

Subject: Re: please help me

lol yeah i agree with u charm school lol some of them are just so dam rude im actually undergoing treatment for my bladder which involves a catherter the nurse is so unsympathetic its unreal its a painful procedure she doesnt even listen.
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