In spring of 2008 I started noticing my feet hurting a lot. At the time I was running, preparing for a marathon, so naturally I thought it was due to the many miles I was putting in a week running. As the pain started getting worse, I cut back quit a bit, until I quit running all together. Every day I would sit on the couch unable to walk because of the pain in my feet. At the time I continued to think I was just over doing things, running around all day, trying to keep up with my 5 small children. By Sept 08, I would wake up every morning feeling like I had the flu. I would lay around for a few hours trying to get myself to feel better. As the day went on, the flu symptoms improved, and I would fell better.
This went on for a few months, and then I started noticing I couldn't move my hands very well. They were SO stiff, and hurt all the time. I then noticed I couldn't wear my wedding ring anymore, and then from there (over the next few months) I couldn't write, hold brushes, open anything, and then my hands went numb, and have constantly stayed that way over the last 4 months.
Back in May (about 3 months ago) I started getting sick. About 2-3 days a week I would have days that I couldn't even get out of bed. I was very weak, very tired, and every joint on my body hurt, from my jaw, to the back of my neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, knees and feet. Everything on me felt like it was on fire, and it was all I could do just to walk across the room. On my days I feel "ok" my joints NEVER stop hurting, I just don't feel like I have the flu.
When I look at my hands (Especially the middle joints on my fingers) they are large and swollen, (always that way) and I can't make my fingers go flat down, they look almost twisted.
Finally about 3 weeks ago I broke down and went to the Dr. Because of a job loss our family suffered, we are on state insurance, and the Dr's I can see are very limited. I have no coverage beyond family & internal Dr's. The Dr. I saw was a family Dr.
Upon seeing this Dr. he treated me like I was just being dumb. He then had me do some blood work, and then 3 days later had his nurse call me back and tell me everything was normal. That's it, nothing more. I just sat and cried.
I KNOW something is not right with me! I live my life in pain, and spend at least a couple days a week in bed unable to cope. This has been going on now for over a year, I didn't just run to the Dr the second I started experiencing symptoms. I have 5 small kids I need to be a mom to, and can't keep living like this anymore. As I am sitting here typing this my back of neck, feet, and hands are KILLING me. This never stops, it's only got worse with time. Rheumatoid Arthritis runs in my family. My grandpa and Aunt have it. Is there a chance I may have this?
How do I find out what is going on with me when I am unable to get any answers from the Dr. I just saw. He gave me NO other options. I am not an idiot, I have never been to the Dr for anything else besides having my kids. This is affecting my life so much right now, I don't know where to even go from here. If something really is wrong with me wouldn't it show up in my blood work? PLEASE HELP me! What do i do?
Thank you Lisa and Alicia, I really appreciate you both taking the time to respond to me.
I thought the Food Diary was a great Idea. Infact I just had a long talk with my aunt yesterday who has RA, and she told me the same thing. She said your diet, sleep, and water intake, affect the symptoms of RA quit a bit. She advised me to do the same thing. Thank you so much for your suggestion!
And Alicia, It's so nice to hear of someone who is in the same position as me. I can't believe how much my quality of life has changed from what it was just a year ago. As you know, being in the same position as me, being sick and in pain all the time, and having young kids is hard enough! I just want an answer as to what I can do to help myself. I don't want any disease, but that's what my DR. acts like I am wanting. I just NEED to know how to help myself. And when you go for so long trying all the things that you can try yourself, and they don't work, at all, you seek outside help. And when that outside help does nothing for you, just blows you off, not really listening to you, not offering to dig a little deeper to find the answers, you find yourself at a complete hopeless loss. That's the way I feel now.
So if you don't mind me asking, (you may have mentioned this) but you ended up with a RA Dr, who finally told you it really was RA? What kind of other testing did he do besides the blood work? And you got medicaid to pay for a RA Dr? Mine says "Not a chance!" Would you suggest that's what I try next? (finding a way to see one) I HATE GOING TO THE DR! and I don't want to feel like a complete idiot again, but I sure as heck can't continue to live like this anymore. (one more question sorry.) but did you have the flu symptoms as well? That's my biggest discourgment is not being able to pull myself out of bed, along with the horrible fatigue. My pain is much more intense during these times, but at least when I have just the pain I can somewhat function as a mother. My husband is working and going to school full-time, so I am pretty much on my own.
Is your symptoms simular? I hope you can get on medication soon, my aunt tells me being able to be on it makes a huge difference. Her hands and feet are very disformed from RA, she tells me as well, getting on the medication helps this from happening. Good luck, let me know back when you get a minute.