My daughter is going to a rhuemy next month for suspected RA, she has joint pain fatique and TMJ atleast unbelievable jaw popping, and A/C makes her stiff, does any of this sound familliar, At this time last year I was referred to the same rhuemy but he would not take me because in the referral letter my GP mention it could be fibro, I had a RF of 28 fatique that was debillitating and joint pain and stiffness, knees, feet ankles and hands....I would go to walk and every bone in my feet and ankles would crack and pop, I sounded like I was 100 yrs old. And getting out of bed was exhausting in its self for all the pain and stiffness I had, But my daughter's referral was accepted by this rhuemy who specializes in RA, which is good i guess, but I am worried for her. Her RF also came back positive I will get the rate next week. As far as flares go.... what I experienced last year lasted about 6 months and gradually let up, I still have all the same symptoms but push through what I can. Can a flare come and go like this. My daughter has had symptoms for about 3 yrs now the jaw popping started last fall and the fatique and joint complaints have gotten more frequent over the last year, she went to an ortho for the knees, he said they were fine, oh I went to the ortho and he told me my right knee is full of arthritis and a total joint replacement is coming in the next 8 years I was 38 then now I am 40. I will post my daughter's rf rate as soon as I get it. sorry for the lengthy post. any words of wisdom would be great.
Q: Now my 17 yr old daughter is going to a Rhuemy for suspected RA :(
I am sorry to hear that both you and your daughter are having trouble - you are doing the right thing to check it out. RA can indeed flare especially with physical, emotional or mental stress (and of course the stress of the concern adds to the pain, unfortunately). At least she has your support, and will need that, whether it turns out to be RA or something else. Take it one day, one step at a time. You don't mention if you are on any medications yourself....
First of all I want to send hugs to you and your daughter and let you know that I am truly sorry you are both having such pain. I am sure it is hard to think of your daughter having RA as well, since you know what you go through. She is very lucky to have you to be there for her. You can be a tremendous support for each other.
I too have the TMJ which started years before I had any other problems. I am 44 and need a complete knee replacement as well but trying to wait until I am 60. Cortizone injections do not work for me anymore in my knee but the Euflexxa worked wonders. This was something that the orthopedic Dr gave me. There are many options out there to help with pain in knees, this is just the one that worked best for me. I had one ortho Dr that told me there was nothing that could be done but a complete knee replacement. Well needless to say he is not my Dr now. :)
Please keep us posted as to how your daughter's level is and how you are both doing. We are here for you both.
Kim :)
Thank you as well for the reply, my daughter is getting new bloodwork done tomorrow, hope to hear by the end of the week, or Monday. The doctor is sending her for new BW before she goes to the rhuemy to see if any of the levels have changed. He mentioned she was right at the boarder line for positive RF. With her symptoms something is going on. Sorry my post seemed to bounce between my symptoms and my daughters. Her jaw popping just seem to start out of the blue, wierd. I should take her to the dentist before the rhuemy to have it checked, also her eyes have become very sensitive to sunlight, when she walks outside she seems blinded and says the sun hurts her eyes.....of coarse she feels this justifies new sunglasses ...LOL Thanks again to you both...greatful for any insight you might have. <3
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Thank you for your reply.....new bloodwork happening tomorrow. I am not on any meds.