Vague arthritis diagnosis - frustrated, scared and confused

So sorry to see how this diagnosis has been so difficult to adjust to. It is a shock to know I admit. I can offer a few ways to help you cope.

things that helped me thru was asking for help from my GP. I was given a excellent physio therapy & councellor to help me strengthen muscle near and around diagnosed area of arthritis as well as coping strategies.

antidepressants helped a great deal. A depression anxiety can slow down our systems and lack of blood and oxygen to damaged areas can cause more pain. That was a very important step for me. I found I had to be proactive my own advocate and research what was near my area to help keep my life on track and as pain free as possible.

Also my rhumy stared me on biological drugs until we found one that worked for me and it really helped slow down the progression of this disease.i have had this disease for 15 years.

My favorite form of exercise was water therapy the water resistance was gentle and helped me a great deal. Don't forget pet therapy. If you have a pet or two you have all the smiles you need! 

Many heeling blessings sent your way! 

 

If the disease is inflammatory there are ways to help reduce inflammation in the body.  Diet is most important.  A lot of us find it helps to cut back or even give up refined carbohydrates and sugar, including soft drinks even artificial sweeteners.  Eating a lot of healthy vegetables, nuts, things with good fats in them, is also good.  I have heard a lot of people take turmeric or curcumin in some form.  I drink tea made with grated fresh ginger.  None of this is an instant cure, of course, but you may find over time that you start to feel better.  And you could consider taking up something like tai chi or qi gong which are known to help balance energies in the body.  Good luck!

oh Beth, by all means you need to be seen by a rheumatologist. More than 100 different forms of arthritis exist ( http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/) I would venture to say that each person with arthritis went through a very long, deeply aggravating, protracted time before diagnosis. I hear your frustration. I hear your pain. I know you are ready to throw the towel in

You will meet several remarkable people in these discussions. We support each other by sharing our experiences. We learn, we complain, we laugh, we live well despite having disease in our bodies.

Variant of rheumatoid arthritis is a true diagnosis...the question is, which variant?

So, for the moment let us settle on that you have arthritis. Exercise is very important...especially range of motion exercises. Ask your physician for a physical therapy referral. And ask your PT about posture.

Posture is critical for those of us with arthritis. Poor posture standing, sitting, in any position will promote pain. Rest not to be confused with sleep) reduces pain. Deep, peaceful sleep reduces pain. Belly laughs reduce pain.

Pain...yes NSAIDs reduce inflammation...just be sure to eat something before you take them. You may also consider acetaminophen 500 mg taken no closer than every 6 hours because you do not want to cause liver damage.

Perhaps you are unaware that all of the NSAIDs you purchase today without a prescription I purchased decades ago with a prescription! So please don't think that because a medication does not require a prescription it is just play pills.

It would be wrong for any physician to prescribe DMARDs & biologics without first pinpointing which variant of rheumatoid arthritis you have.

I speak from the standpoint of 54 years of joyful living despite having juvenile rheumatoid...I was 11. I was yelled at for being a baby, I was told that I was a hypochondriac, the school was told that nothing was wrong with me, You just want attention...yada yada yada

You have the courage to win your fight.....I like to cry in the shower, just saying

Stick with us and I just might share some of the giggles I have had just because I have juvenile rheumatoid.

It is going to be okay

Hugs

judith

Hi Beth

My post includes one link....I am sure the moderator will put my post through shortly.

Morning Beth; I, too, am confused (so no wonder you are).  When the Rhuemy said "a Rhuematoid Variant Arthrites", what Exactly did he mean?  Is it Rhuematoid Arthrites, or Osteo-arthrites with some Rhuematoid arthrites thrown in as well?  I don't quite get this;  if it is Rhuematoid, then you should be having particular treatment for the Rhuematoid (and usually NSAIDs are not enough for Rhuematoid).  if Osteo, then yes, NSAIDs do help ....but the difference is that one is "an inflammatory process of the joints, and is very painful", where Osteo, is more of a "wearing away of the joints/cartilage etc". 

?I feel that I would be "clarifying" with your GP, first, and then discussing what treatment/s   he/she suggests following on from the Rhuematologist's report?  Otherwise, seek another appt with another Rhuematologist, and have it clarified, before starting any permanent treatment??   Physio is beneficial for both (and especially Hydro-therapy).

?Let us/me know what you come up with, and then we may be able to follow through with more definitive answers??   Am sorry if I have not grasped the situation fully; or appear stupid?                  Bron

You folks are awesome. Thank you!!

I'm going to get a second opinion with another rheumatologist. It'll be awhile before I can get in, but that's okay. Happily, I an already in PT.

This rheumatologist was very nice, but he seemed to be changing his diagnosis mid-appointment. That fair, since I brought in the results of some old scans, so he had new info. But it still send iffy to me. He made that rheumatoid variant diagnosis. Then he said spondylo arthropothy. Then he said it wouldn't be absurd to call it ankylosing spondylitis. But I tested negative for RA, and when I saw the results of the MRI he ordered, they specifically did to consider something *other than* spondylo arthropothy. It just seemed like a very thin line, and I won't stop looking

They need to do some fresh x-rays, etc. Of your body and new blood work. I was diagnosed with RA 5 year's ago and it only bothered me a lil in my foot. It hit me kast year and it's taking me out fast and it won't let up. So ye, you need to find a doc who cares enough to