Rheumatoid Arthritis
As of... Oct 29 2008 I was dianosed with rheumatoid arthritis. For the rest of my life I have to take medicines, some in pill form and some by self injection. (Mind you I faint when someone draws my blood and I never watch) I must be careful to not gain too much weight, strain on the joints, and I'm at an increased risk for heart disease. I have to do low impact cardio & weights to keep my muscles strong to support my joints. There is no cure. Even with treatment so slow progress I'll likely not go into a full remission as most people don't. Sometimes temporary ones, but forever, unlikely. I dread the day I wont be able to open simple things or walk or ordinary anything without help. At this point I simply hope I never become disfigured. I don't get to see my rheumatoligist until Dec 17th. In other words I'm not on any medicine, yet. When I first heard it I thought, at least it isn't terminal.
Yeah well with research (way, way too much research) I've found if it starts attacking your organs it can be fatal. And even if it doesn't do that, pain for the rest of my life! And not just an annoying ache. Oh nooo. Wretched pain.
As of right now I believe my ankles are my main problem though everywhere hurts at some point in the day. I feel like sleeping a good 50 to 70% of the day. And I'm losing weight. Fast. I've already lost 10lbs. In a month & a half. It started slow, but this week (which isn't over) I've already lost 3.
I feel the need to vent because I feel like a whiney child talking to anyone about it. Sometimes I think, it's not the end of the world. And sometimes I think life is really over. I didn't even go to the doctor for this! I'd been told before I couldn't have pain problems because I'm too young.
SURPRISE. RA effects ANY age.
I went to the doctor for my anxiety. I had to do a routine check in about my medicine. Off handedly I mention I'm impossibly tired, figuring the medicine is the cause. She starts examining my body and asks about my joints. Orders a blood test and ...
I never expected this. At all. EVERYTHING they tested for was perfect and fine. My iron levels, B12 levels, diabeties, anemia, thyroid, etc... Except oh look, my rheumatoid factor came back a 29. Normal is 0-14.
And just for shits and giggles this new antidepressant she put me on I think isn't working. My headaches and nausea and SERIOUS lightheadedness are coming back. I'm less walking dead, still tired but able muddle through. And now I have a sorta better appetite but it doesn't matter because it isn't WORKING.
Right now my left elbow/wrist hurts so bad and has for the last hour I give up and am going to bed.
Thanks for reading my angry, angry post.
Yeah well with research (way, way too much research) I've found if it starts attacking your organs it can be fatal. And even if it doesn't do that, pain for the rest of my life! And not just an annoying ache. Oh nooo. Wretched pain.
As of right now I believe my ankles are my main problem though everywhere hurts at some point in the day. I feel like sleeping a good 50 to 70% of the day. And I'm losing weight. Fast. I've already lost 10lbs. In a month & a half. It started slow, but this week (which isn't over) I've already lost 3.
I feel the need to vent because I feel like a whiney child talking to anyone about it. Sometimes I think, it's not the end of the world. And sometimes I think life is really over. I didn't even go to the doctor for this! I'd been told before I couldn't have pain problems because I'm too young.
SURPRISE. RA effects ANY age.
I went to the doctor for my anxiety. I had to do a routine check in about my medicine. Off handedly I mention I'm impossibly tired, figuring the medicine is the cause. She starts examining my body and asks about my joints. Orders a blood test and ...
I never expected this. At all. EVERYTHING they tested for was perfect and fine. My iron levels, B12 levels, diabeties, anemia, thyroid, etc... Except oh look, my rheumatoid factor came back a 29. Normal is 0-14.
And just for shits and giggles this new antidepressant she put me on I think isn't working. My headaches and nausea and SERIOUS lightheadedness are coming back. I'm less walking dead, still tired but able muddle through. And now I have a sorta better appetite but it doesn't matter because it isn't WORKING.
Right now my left elbow/wrist hurts so bad and has for the last hour I give up and am going to bed.
Thanks for reading my angry, angry post.