Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Hi and suggestions please

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
SuzanneBee
New Member
Joined : Dec 2019
Posts : 2
Posted 12/28/2019 12:56 PM (GMT -7)
Sorry this is going to be long.
I woke up 12/29/18 with my right pinkie swollen, joint painful and stiff, with a bump on the joint bone. Bump feels like bone and is immovable. It sometimes gets bigger but never goes away. Also at that same time (starting around beginning of December) I had stiffness fatigue and just a general yucky feeling. After 2 weeks left pinky did same thing as right. First doc I went to said I can’t have RA because (his words) RA symptoms start when people are in their 30s. I was 54. He did bloodwork which came back negative on inflammation or RA factor.
A few months later I’m still having all the above issues plus my right knee - then left knee started hurting and I would get stabbing sharp pains in random finger and toe joints. So I take a list of all my symptoms to a different doctor, who, without even examining me tells me I have OA. I request appointment with rheumatologist because I’m now positive it’s RA but she refuses, telling me they will not see me since my bloodwork was negative. Now I have all the above symptoms plus my shoulders started hurting about a week ago. They feel stiff and sore all the time. I can’t take ibuprofen because it hurts my stomach and I refuse to go back to most recent doc because she would not even discuss the possibility of RA with me. Just insists it’s OA even though symptoms are RA. I don’t have insurance and am afraid to go to another doctor only to once again be dismissed and patronized. Not to mention wasting my money on someone who won’t listen to me. My sister has psoriatic arthritis (yes I told both docs, who told me just because she has it doesn’t mean I have RA). I also talked with a nurse friend of mine who said it definitely sounds like RA to her. Anyone have any suggestions, advice, encouragement? I used to work in a nursing home many years ago and one of the patients had RA. She couldn’t move or anything. Her entire body was frozen. I’m afraid I will end up like that because I can’t get medical help. I have asked people in my area for doctor recommendations but the one doc who has been mentioned more than once is not accepting new patients. Please help.
profile picture
msOuchie
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2011
Posts : 594
Posted 12/28/2019 3:54 PM (GMT -7)
Hello Suzanne:

I'm so sorry that you are in this situation. It can take up to 2 years to show RF positive results for RA. We are all different including the onset and rate of progression. There is Seronegative RA also but it is still RA. That's a toughy to diagnose. Some Doctors know very little about diseases and medications, unfortunately.

That Dr. is WRONG! Even babies are dxd. with RA. My cousin was dxd. at age 10. I had the first painful symptoms in my groin area at age 24. The painful, swollen, stiff joints in my fingers, that you mention and low grade fever, fatigue and flu-like symptoms were months later at age 25. I went to a Walk In Clinic because I disliked appointments and was too busy with my first baby, house work, etc. The Dr. said that I was riding my bike too much. The otc meds he prescribed did not work. I was in so much pain, also in my shoulder and right hip. I had a limp.

The second time I went to the walk in clinic, another Dr. said he didn't know what kind but I had Arthritis. He referred me to a Rheumatologist. The first visit there, I had a total physical exam, exrays and blood work. I was dxd. with severe RA at my next visit.

We, of course, cannot diagnose anyone because we are not doctors. You may have something else. I was also dxd. with OA at age 45.

Aside from another Dr., I would suggest a warm bath when needed, ice or cold bean bags that you can freeze or microwave to warm which can take the edge off the pain. You need an anti-inflammatory and pain med too. A presciption is needed for a stronger one. You need rest, relaxation, zero stress, if possible and a healthy diet. Perhaps Yoga, massage, easier exercises or meditation. Cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture or PT. Those of course, cost money. As far as the PT, you could find that on the net.

If you don't have enough money, why are you not on Welfare(yes, the dirty word but helpful to some). They have to help you, if you do not have much money.. You need to be dxd. and given the proper meds ASAP. I have had severe RA for 36 years. I have some damaged joints, Total Hip Replacement from RA, Total Knee Replacement from OA, another coming soon), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery, Torn Rotary Cuff and other symptoms of long term RA but that is because most of the 30 drugs that I was on, didn't work for me. I still am not in a wheelchair because I was dxd. and pushed on Disability 5 years later by my Rheumstologist. I have not been on it since my last child turned 18.

I'm sorry that I can't help much. I do hope that you are able to find a good Rheumatologist or GP that knows about RA. Best Wishes to you in the New Year!

Post Edited (msOuchie) : 12/28/2019 4:01:24 PM (GMT-7)

profile picture
SuzanneBee
New Member
Joined : Dec 2019
Posts : 2
Posted 12/28/2019 5:01 PM (GMT -7)
Hi msOuchie:

I live in Mississippi which does not have welfare for single people, so I’m out of luck there.
2nd doc did at least say I have arthritis but she parked on OA without wanting to even discuss it.
It’s been a very discouraging journey so far. There is a walk in clinic that I’m thinking about going to. I just need to save money for a month or so to be able to do that.
Thanks so much for your reply and words of support.
profile picture
msOuchie
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2011
Posts : 594
Posted 12/29/2019 8:14 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Suzanne:

Sorry, but I can't believe that any single person in Mississippi USA is any less qualified to receive benefits from the Government programs, than any other person. They need to have an address, of course, and fit the other criteria.
Everyone needs medical care and medications when needed, food and water, clothing and shelter, etc. especially when they are low income or no income and/or unwell.

I found this site for you:

https://www.sapling.com/5409583/welfare-benefits-singles

Sorry, you'll have to copy and paste it. It seems like a legit site.

Let us know how you are getting along. You are certainly welcome.
profile picture
CaMama
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 1904
Posted 1/14/2020 11:00 PM (GMT -7)
I'm so sorry to hear the struggle and the fact there is no help for single people in your state. That is crazy! I hope you are able to find some government assistance to get yourself proper health care.
In the meantime, MsOuchie does give some very good advice - baths, heat, ice. There are some OTC creams that might give some relief - I haven't had much luck with them but others claim they have. If you cannot tolerate Motrin, maybe try Tylenol Arthritis?
Even if your doctor doesn't believe you have anything but OA, you have such extreme symptoms, you should be sent to a rhuemy who would have better knowledge of how to help treat you. I'm shocked and annoyed and angry at this jerk of a doctor you encountered.
profile picture
Don D
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2019
Posts : 20
Posted 1/22/2020 12:37 AM (GMT -7)
Have you xonsidered leaving the area and migrating to someplace like AZ or something close to the border part of the year where you can cross over and find medical care and treatment much cheaper? There are also alternatives to traditional western medicine that might help you as well and are very low in cost compared to it.
I know its a rather extreme alternative and can be a bit frightening to consider but there are many people these days who are living nomadic lives on the cheap and that includes many disabled people on fixed incomes. I have been considering it myself in fact because here in the pacific north west although we have relatively mild weather compared to many places we still have so many storms that pass through that year after year the older I get I am finding that they are very crippling for me and I end up unable to do almost anything due to flare ups for 4-5 months each winter.
This man speaks about this lifestyle and has been doing it for many years himself. You will have to cut and paste the link to watch it but you may find his channel informative and interesting. This year has been so bad for me that I think I am going to save and get things ready in the summer and next October I am going to head south and at least try it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9377x36O620
profile picture
hemet-guyNeedEncouragemen
New Member
Joined : Mar 2020
Posts : 17
Posted 7/20/2020 2:21 AM (GMT -7)
If you live in a State that doesn't supply the right benefits that you need, it might be time to seek a state close to you and arrange to relocate. We sometimes have to take the time and steps to help ourselves.
profile picture
hemet-guyNeedEncouragemen
New Member
Joined : Mar 2020
Posts : 17
Posted 7/20/2020 2:28 AM (GMT -7)

CaMama said...
I'm so sorry to hear the struggle and the fact there is no help for single people in your state. That is crazy! I hope you are able to find some government assistance to get yourself proper health care.
In the meantime, MsOuchie does give some very good advice - baths, heat, ice. There are some OTC creams that might give some relief - I haven't had much luck with them but others claim they have. If you cannot tolerate Motrin, maybe try Tylenol Arthritis?
Even if your doctor doesn't believe you have anything but OA, you have such extreme symptoms, you should be sent to a rhuemy who would have better knowledge of how to help treat you. I'm shocked and annoyed and angry at this jerk of a doctor you encountered.

Good grief, I tried not to mention the doctors cause I tend to be straightforward and that can come across as very rude at times, but people mostly have unnecessary blind faith in doctors and that can sometimes cause more good then bad. I had to tell the VA that nobody there has the right to comment on my arthritis problem without testing me properly after a Nurse Practicitional made a silly comment about my arthritis condition. I'm just not a blind faith type of guy.

The only way anyone has the right to diagnose a person is by doing the testings that merit it
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply




HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
FacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter PinterestPinterest LinkedInLinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.