3 Autoimmune disorders

Diseases & Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
Hello All,
I am new to this site...  It is so nice to finally find a place to vent.  So here goes...
about 10 yrs ago I starting having major back pain. I was only 23 yrs old and figured I just threw my back out.  Well continuing for the next 5 yrs, I always made excuses of why my back hurt, softball, work, etc. 
 
It wasn't until my then boyfriend (now Husband) started making remarks...  You are getting worse, you walk with a limp, you can't do some normal daily functions, Did I finally wake up.
I started with my PCP and he sent me to a Orthopedic Dr. who sent me for and MRI.  Well it didn't show anything and he gave me pain meds.  Of course this didn't help anything, so I started to see a Chiropractor, we tried everything...  the best was traction.  I can't tell you how nice it felt to be relieved even if it was only temporary. 
Needless to say, I continued to decline...  More MRI's and X-rays still nothing showed up. Visits to the Emergency Room..  to have them tell me there was nothing they could do because I was expirencing muscle spasms in my back and sent me home
By this point there were times that I could barely walk, I was in so much pain. I was seeing the Chiropractor 3-4 times a week, sometimes daily. He did the best he could.
Mentally I started to accept that this is the way I will have to live the rest of my life, which was extremely hard for me since I have always been a very active person.
 
2 yrs ago I finally went to see a GI for some bathroom concerns I had.  She had ordered a bunch of tests which included the Small Bowel Follow Through (I think this is the test name) It's the one where you have to drink the barium.  I remember the technican asking me if I had lower back pain.  I thought funny you should ask...  I sure do.  To find out I have arthritis in my both of my Sacro Ilium joints. 
You mean to tell me I'm not going crazy and there is a reason for all my pain.  It was actually nice to hear the diagnosis.  Well to top it off, I was diagnosed with Crohn's too.
I have been on Remicade since July and I feel like a new person. I have actually been able to play sports again with no pain.
 
Thanks for listening, it's just nice to get off my chest.  I'm sure some of you know it's hard to find support when people think your crazy!!!
 

CD dx in May 04' - Syptoms for 2 yrs prior
Sacroiliacitis dx in May 04' - Syptoms for 10 yrs prior
Psoriasis - Life Long 

2
Zippy Hi and Welcome to HW.I'am glade that you found us and hope you stick around as well because you will not find people that is as wounderful and caring as the one's here.I have CROHN'S,RA.OA.SJERENS SYNDROM so I understand your pain.Crohn's in it's self causes pain and to add arthritis to that well as you know doesn't help.What typ of arthritis do you have?Please keep us up on how you are doing.

Thanks
Curley......
a.k.a.Mela...........

3

Hi Zippy and welcome!

I can't believe you had to go through so many years of back pain before getting diagnosed. I'm so glad you did and even happier to hear that Remicade is helping. I was on Remicade for a while and it was awesome! We have a lot of people here with RA and Chrons, and like curley said, do stick around. You'll find lots of support and help around here.

I hope you continue to have great success from the Remicade! :-)

**

 

4
tongue  Hi Zippy!  Like curley and CaMama said, WELCOME TO HW!  tongue    Sorry I am late to welcome you to the forum, but I've had issues lately!  eyes Anyhoo - I am so glad you have found the source of your problems as well as some relief!  I have psoriasis too and psoriatic arthritis and for a year and a half I went undiagnosed... SOOOOOOO frustrating... I went to see a rheumy and he said, "Yup, you have psoriatic arthritis..." he prescriped Enbrel, and within a week of my first injection, I was walking without a limp again.... It's hard for other "normal" people to understand how we feel, 'cause they don't have the pain or any of the issues we do... I hope you decide to stick around and keep posting!  Best of luck to you!  - Duck

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots