Hi I'm a newbie

sunshine14

Happy New Year Everyone.

Sorry if I ramble, I can't sleep as I'm in pain and have so many questions. I'm a newbie (31 year old) and saw a Rheumatologist on 17th Dec who said he's sure I have RA, I had x-rays and bloods etc. and get the results on 26th Jan. I was shocked when he said RA and gave me a booklet, I guess because I have been under a Neurologist for over a year as GP suspected MS.

As I'm used to Neuros, and they never say anything I'm shocked at the Rheumy saying RA before tests are back. Has anyone else had this? I really need to get properly diagnosed so I know what I'm dealing with and get some help, and I think with my GP sticking to MS I'm expecting the Rheumy to change his mind.

Does anyone have any problems with ferritin & B12?

I'd really like to hear off people with RA and how it affects them. Do you get any muscle spasms with RA? I get muscle spasms and am on muscle relaxants. I struglled walking as my feet and ankles are so painful. Some days my back is in two and I struggle to get out of bed. Legs feel heavy and full of lead and unable to climb the stairs. Wrists, hands, fingers and knees are effected too.

Thank you suz

magenta

sunshine14 wrote:

Happy New Year Everyone.

Sorry if I ramble, I can't sleep as I'm in pain and have so many questions. I'm a newbie (31 year old) and saw a Rheumatologist on 17th Dec who said he's sure I have RA, I had x-rays and bloods etc. and get the results on 26th Jan. I was shocked when he said RA and gave me a booklet, I guess because I have been under a Neurologist for over a year as GP suspected MS.

As I'm used to Neuros, and they never say anything I'm shocked at the Rheumy saying RA before tests are back. Has anyone else had this? I really need to get properly diagnosed so I know what I'm dealing with and get some help, and I think with my GP sticking to MS I'm expecting the Rheumy to change his mind.

Does anyone have any problems with ferritin & B12?

I'd really like to hear off people with RA and how it affects them. Do you get any muscle spasms with RA? I get muscle spasms and am on muscle relaxants. I struglled walking as my feet and ankles are so painful. Some days my back is in two and I struggle to get out of bed. Legs feel heavy and full of lead and unable to climb the stairs. Wrists, hands, fingers and knees are effected too.

Thank you suz

Hi Suz,
Happy New Year to you too!
I don't have RA (yet!) but suffer from seronegative arthritis-means I don't have rhuematoid factor present in blood. Your problems do all sound like RA. I've been in to GP over several years and he always gets bloods done to check for MS-there must be some similarities with symptoms. I'm glad it's not came up as being MS. I had problems years ago with B12 and got put on regular injections. I had a problem with absorbing this vitamin which can be common in arthritis sufferers. By the way, welcome to this forum I hope you find it as useful as I have! Hope to see you posting again,
Magenta x

katekelly

Hi Suz,
Happy new year to you and welcome to the site.
I was treated for all sorts including stress and depression for nearly a year before I was diagnosed with RA. When Isaw my Rhuematologist for the first time he told me that he thought I had it before he got the results of blood tests etc. but even then he got me straight into hospital as a matter of urgency as there was definitely wrong! Iremember actually thanking him for the diagnosis because I had been so ill for so long that I thought I was going mad.
I know this is a horrible time whilst you are waiting but honestly you will get through this. Don't be afraid to contact anyone on this forum as many of us have RA and the support you will find here is invaluable. If you want a laugh try the chit chat forum as some of us on there live in a "strange" world and try to have a laugh every day!!! It may help you to forget if only for a few minutes.
Take care
Kate x

woodbon

Hello, and welcome, I don't have RA I have ostioathritis, but my Gp keeps checking for RA. For me the word 'athritis' was a shock, even though my mother had it. I think I associated it with the elderly, the group I work with until of sick, and it made me feel old and finished. This is just a reaction and far from the truth, just read this web site and see what people get up too! MS is also a frightening disease, and I expect that having got used to the idea of having this and now having to change your whole mindset, it must be difficult but, I'm sure, if you have RA you'll cope, I am rambling a bit, but I hope you,ll soon get answerswhich will allow you to move on with you're life. You'll find lots of great, helpful people on this site who live with RA who will help you with any questions or worries - its a great site :!: All the best for the comming year, Suexx

lindalegs

Hi Suz and welcome to the Forum,

I have had RA for the past 22 years and started with it when I was 27. I have occasionally had muscle spasms in my left ankle but only when I've been really overdoing things - I've never had any medication for them. It sounds as though you do have all the symptoms of RA, one of the main ones being that your swellings and pain are mirrored in both sides of your body i.e. you'll find it both hands or both knees or both all over :roll: never just in one hand etc.

The heaviness you're feeling in your legs is possibly due to fluid around your lower joints. I know when my knees are particularly swollen they feel like they weigh ten tons even when just lifting them into bed :shock:

It is alot to come to terms with but you;ll find you just have to approach life and it's challenges a little differently and I think the majority of people on this Forum have learnt to grit their teeth and carry on.

Anything you need to know, just ask, you'll always find someone on here with an answer and remember no question is ever silly it's just one that you don't know the answer to .

Happy 2009 from Legs

sunshine14

Thanks for your replies, you have made me feel really welcome. I hope this is the correct way to reply, Suz x

lindalegs

sunshine14 wrote:

Thanks for your replies, you have made me feel really welcome. I hope this is the correct way to reply, Suz x

Hi again Suz,

There's no correct/incorrect way on this Forum - as far as I know anything goes

Luv Legs

oneday

hi there
I havent got RA but OA and spondylolithesis and get muscle spasms in back and then all joints like to join in,hips,knees,ankles the lot and i dont know what to do with myslef. Make sure you have comfy aides, such as items for bed, e.g. pillows in extra places,memory foam mattress or topper, make as many comfortable adjsutments as poss. and loads of cushions when sitting down at night on sofa etc...all these help.

colinone

sunshine14 wrote:

Thanks for your replies, you have made me feel really welcome. I hope this is the correct way to reply, Suz x

Hi Suz and welcome to the club, yes its all part of Ra hope your feeling a little better soon
Colin