Okay, I give up

srhpalmer · May 5, 2006, 2:53pm

I went into my daughters appt. yesterday for her MRI.. it was hot so I was wearing shorts. The tech and I were talking about the machine, it was neat, first open MRI I've ever seen.. and I said I needed one on my knees. He glanced down, and said something about how in the world have I been walking around with my knees looking like this, with NO tests? I thought ya know.. this man is just a tech that does MRI's and such, and he "gets it" better than my doc does. It is now officially beyond a week waiting on a phone call for a rheumy appt. The beginning of this week.. they were "working" on it. I understand it may take a while to get into a rheumy, but my docs office could at least get on the ball and MAKE the appt., so I have some type of goal and such to shoot for. Now I'm kindof swinging in the breeze trying to hit the pain pills when I can, and gritting my teeth when I can't.

Ducky · May 5, 2006, 2:59pm

Hey Sarah, I don't blame you for being cranky... you poor thing! Maybe the Nurse practioner can make your rheumy appt for you? Good luck to you, and let us know what happens... Can you go to a different doc? Seems as though there has been a rash of crappy docs out there lately... Hang in there, girl... Duck

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis

user11 · May 5, 2006, 3:13pm

i'll have to agree with Ducky on this one! sometimes (most of the times) nurses are your best advocate in cases like this.

srhpalmer · May 5, 2006, 8:48pm

Okay.. update. This nurse practicioner found my referral in my file. Just sitting in my file, with the appt. made and everything. She was peeved.. she said "I'm going to chew some a** over this. This is ridiculous". I go on May 31st.. earlier than I thought I'd get in, honestly. From what I've been reading seems like it normally takes a while?
She also doesn't think it's RA. She thinks it's worsening of the fibromyalgia. I said but doc said.. and she cut me off saying HE is the most negative person, and always always always goes for the worst case scenario. She said hang on to my sanity, quit stressing about it, and let the rheumy sort it out.
Of course, if it's not arthritis, and is just worse fibro, then I'm really in trouble.. cuz there is NO treatment for that.
Guess I can just get a cane and hobble. Cane would be good self defense item too..lol.
She said let the rheumy do the MRI since I'll be in there in less than a month. So I will wait and grit my teeth and mutter nasty words under my breath..lol.
Blessings All,
Sarah

I'm not procrastinating----I'm still doing yesterday!!!!

_{I have no medical training, any medical opinions expressed in my posts are just that....opinions.}

Ducky · May 5, 2006, 8:59pm

Good thing you went in and saw her... sounds like that office is a bunch of quacks... Good luck to you Sarah, I am marking my calendar for the 31st! Duck

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis

user11 · May 8, 2006, 2:14pm

hey sarah,

if it is indeed a worsening case of fibro or an acute fibromyalgia flare, there IS treatment for this! there are many pathways to take in treating and helping to live day to day with FMS. don't lose hope, there is help and a lot of options.

and remember, you're always entitled to another opinion.

take good care.

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.

Ducky · May 17, 2006, 2:08pm

Hey Sarah, how are you doing today?

Confirmed Diagnosis of - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis/Graves Disease/GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes/Chronic UTIs

user11 · May 17, 2006, 6:26pm

Yeah Sarah, how are you holding up? The symptoms you express seem like they are symmetrical and bilateral. I really hope you get the best RA work-up from your doc.

srhpalmer · May 20, 2006, 12:46am

Okay.. I really, really do give up. I must have some sort of black cloud hanging over me zapping me every now and again. I fell. On my knee. One second I was up, and the next I was down, happened so fast I am not even clear whether I tripped on something, or knee went. I did it to myself, got into a temper tantrum and starting cleaning house (my "theraputic" reaction to anger).. knees started to shake.. and I ignored them. Let my temper get the better of me.
Now my knee is just agony, my leg from knee down is swollen. I can bear a little weight on it, but can't "walk". I keep getting twitches in that area too.
Erin.. I think I'm gonna need the rope and bungee cord. Thank god for painkillers. At first, I hurt so badly I could barely breathe... got an extra dose of lortab in me and it eased back a bit. Now I'm kinda stuck.. I can get up the stairs, but it takes creativity and effort..lol.
I'm really just venting and need to shut up.
Take Care
Sarah

I'm not procrastinating----I'm still doing yesterday!!!!

_{I have no medical training, any medical opinions expressed in my posts are just that....opinions.}

user11 · May 20, 2006, 1:56pm

SARAH! what am i ever going to do with you. you poor gal. awe man, you're in a pickle and that's putting it lightly.

OK: HUMOR intervention.

"Improvisation on getting upstairs and getting through life" by Erin Lynn Kachmar

I tend in general to everything A** backwards anyways, so that is how I get up hills, stairs and life at times like now...what you are going through. Stairs: rear-end on 3rd step, and rump it up each step slowly...preferably with no use of the legs at all. BONUS? the arms get a good workout. DOWNER? you end up not being able to use your arms the rest of the day! LOL. but yeah, i shimmy rump my way up stairs when my knees go and are locked.

what has your doc said? have you told him about this? (or her?)

if you can be off of your legs and elevate/ice/heat/wrap them...the more the better at this acute time.

does your Lortabs have any antiinflammatory agents in them like ASA or ibuprofin or anything?

this too shall pass. can't promise when. but you're in my prayers.

I have a syndrome since last nite. It's called TSS: Tater Salad Shoulder.

From chopping and mixing ( i thought i was OK) but then i felt heat!?!?!?! from where??? my shoulder accidently touched the side of my face and it was on FIRE! and the pain? enough to cry. i sure hope the potato salad is freaking wonderful! LOL. it better be!

sarah...rest up. and be careful.

erin

Active, Severe RA. Crohns. AS. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. Partial complex seizures. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung & Heart. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.

Ducky · May 21, 2006, 9:05pm

Hey Sarah, how are you today? How's the knee?

Erin, did he enjoy the tater salad? He'd better! How are you today?

Sending you guys BIG HUGE HEALING HUGS [[[[[{{{{{(((((SARAH & ERIN)))))}}}}}]]]]]

Duck

Confirmed Diagnosis of - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis/Graves Disease/GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes/Chronic UTIs

user11 · May 22, 2006, 6:40am

Oh dear Lord!!!!!! in complete AGONY. the shoulder was hot & throbbed like a mother....but the next day i woke up alright.

Ducky · May 22, 2006, 4:01pm

Oh Erin, I'm so sorry.. did you get some sleep?

Confirmed Diagnosis of - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis/Graves Disease/GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes/Chronic UTIs

user11 · May 22, 2006, 4:48pm

if ya count 20 minute increments between 4am & 6am...then yeah i guess i did. lol.