Newbie here

jackie1955

Heres my story so far:
Last winter/spring started to notice Hebedrens Nodules on finger joints.... not unduly worried as sisters and mum had them without any ill effects. Then over the summer started to have various aches/pains - in knee joints but not surprised as reckoned I had a 'bit of athritis' due to knee injury from years ago.
However, then my feet started to feel as if they had no 'padding' under them (this has now gone off), joint pain appeared in shoulders/elbows; then eventually this winter my fingers got so stiff, painful and swollen when I woke up, plus aching muscles in top of arms, BUT I have never actually 'felt ill' or any more tired than usual, nor do my joints seem hot.....
So, I surfed the 'net and found the most scary diagnosis that I decided I'd better see my Gp!

I went last week, and had blood tests. Yesterday he told me that they had come back positive, and so he is referring me to a Rheumatologist.

I am now scared to death........ full of what ifs?

magenta

Hello Jackie,
I'm sorry to hear of your pain. Welcome to this site, it's been a great help to me-lot's of lovely people on here. Now that you've had a diagnosis and a referral to a rhuemmy, you can hopefully get some treatment that will work for you Never heard of Hebredan(sp?) nodules before, that's a new one for me.
I used to get told off by hubby for surfing the net but I couldn't help it-heh heh. Any new thing mentioned to me and I was on Google and self-diagnosing within minutes! I don't do it as much now. Hope things work out for you but feel free to ask any questions you like
Take care,
Magenta x

frogmorton

Hi Jackie
Poor old you!
Oops sorry - how remiss of me!!
WELCOME to this lovely forum. As Magenta said there are some great people on here who usually have the answers to most things and even if they haven't they will give you emotional support.
You must be feelong so worried and overwhelemed by it all at the moment, but as Magenta also says you ARE now in the system and hopefully will get some treatment very soon.
Take care
Toni x

jackie1955

Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate them!

I have read a lot of the postings on here and take heart that most of you seem to be coping quite well and leading 'normal' lives while coping with illness.

I think because I am usually so upbeat and supportive my friends come to ME with their worries, they don't really appreciate that I actually am very worried myself this time so its nice to have found this forum to get some much-needed support myself!

Ok, I have probably been imagining the worst case scenario; and I am a little apprehensive about what tests I will need and what my diagnosis will be....... I mean my gp just said my blood test was positive which is why I am being referred to the rheumatologist.
I assume he means 'positive' as in showing inflamation in my joints :?:

My gp also said a lot of things start affecting you when you are in your late 40/early 50's........... eek! Funnily enough the quote on my calendar today said "Fifty is the youth of old age" - well I don't feel very youthful at the moment

plmb48

jackie1955 wrote:

Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate them!

I have read a lot of the postings on here and take heart that most of you seem to be coping quite well and leading 'normal' lives while coping with illness.

I think because I am usually so upbeat and supportive my friends come to ME with their worries, they don't really appreciate that I actually am very worried myself this time so its nice to have found this forum to get some much-needed support myself!

Ok, I have probably been imagining the worst case scenario; and I am a little apprehensive about what tests I will need and what my diagnosis will be....... I mean my gp just said my blood test was positive which is why I am being referred to the rheumatologist.
I assume he means 'positive' as in showing inflamation in my joints :?:

My gp also said a lot of things start affecting you when you are in your late 40/early 50's........... eek! Funnily enough the quote on my calendar today said "Fifty is the youth of old age" - well I don't feel very youthful at the moment

hi jackie
welcome to the fourum the most important thing everyone will tell you is keep a list of symptoms and questions you want to ask when you get your appointment good luck pauline[/b]

jackie1955

Thanks Pauline, nice to hear from you