Anyone have or know someone with Rheumatoid Arth.

coasterqueen wrote: Anyone have Rheumatoid Arthritis or know someone with it? I had to see my doc this morning for symptoms that haven't gone away since my last pg and symptoms that are similar to a very bad case of something I had back in 1999. He thinks it's RA and aparently there aren't any meds I can take with it that are safe to take while BF I'm not too concerned yet because he said it's a mild case and can be handled for now with motrin. Although the dork told me a 26 year old woman he treated once who was diagnosed with RA and died at 43 from the disease. Nice, huh? I don't know why they share things like that and then tell you you have a mild case of it.

I had a bunch of bloodwork done this morning and will find out results in 2 weeks.

moped replied: I know a cuople of people that have it - but I think they have it much worse than you do - I am really sorry.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, he said it was mild at this point. Back in 1999 I had it so bad that I'd get out of bed and fall flat on my face. My joints wouldn't work in my feet or legs so I could stand. I was put on steroids for over 6 months (off and on) to help the problem. I would have major swelling in my knee and ankle joints as well at that time. I was on bedrest for several weeks before they'd even let me try to walk.

This time around it's in my thumbs and again in my ankles. Although I haven't had the issue of not being able to walk so far. THank goodness. So far it's just that when I get up from sitting, whether it be 5 minutes of 60 minutes of sitting, my joints are very sore and have to "warm" up a bit to get going to be able to walk correctly. Also my thumb joints swell and hurt really bad off and on.

moped replied: My freinds that have it ar enot doing good - it can be a horrible thing especially when you can't move or take anything to help it really.........

kit_kats_mom replied: Well, Woody has gout which is a type of RA. He's on some special meds just for that but he also takes mega doses of Ibuprophin when he's having a flare up

kayla's mama replied: My aunt has it. I believe that her doc put her on a special diet. All Ican remember is her eating fish almost everyday. I has something to do with the protien in the fish that helps the joints. I know I'm not much help but hope you can find some relieve soon.

amymom replied: Has Lyme disease been considered? My brother was diagnosed with RA and it turns out he had Lyme disease. (Long story) But symptoms are similar.

coasterqueen replied:
Well back in 1999 that's what they thought I had so they tested me. I had been bit by a tick around that time, but the test was negative. Still haven't found out my results as of yet.

redchief replied: Sorry Karen. I do know someone with very bad RA; but she wouldn't know anything about BF'ing... She's a nun.

julesmom replied: Sorry to hear that. Can you get the lyme's test redone? I know a little girl that had to have the test done a couple times before it came back positive. TG her mom knew that it can be negative when you really have it. She went thru so much.

amymom replied:
Like julesmom said be diligent about having the tests done. It is hard to second guess the doctors but ... they are sometimes wrong. The lyme titers are much more sophisticated these days then even 6 yrs ago. Also, Lyme can go into remission, so 1999 could have been Lyme and this is a relapse. And it could be RA. It is too bad medicine is not an exact science.!!!

coasterqueen replied: Thanks for the advice everyone. I seriously hope I don't have Lyme disease because something like that left untreated for so many years is not good.

There are too many thoughts going on in my mind right now so I think I'm going to wait until my results come back and go from there. I have already looked into RA specialists so I'll be ready.

NummyMommy replied: Just wanted to add my friends Mom had it and took flaxseed oil and cod liver oil daily....something to do with lack of EFA's.....helped her a lot...anyways can't hurt. Hope you find a good doc and hes able to help!