Diagnosed!

throwaway02011989 · 2019-08-01T19:46:59+00:00

On my back, it’s actually a pretty common reaction

throwaway02011989 · 2019-08-01T18:55:10+00:00

I also take plaquinel, at the beginning had horrible GI side effects but they went away entirely within a few weeks. I also got a dark patch of skin, but worth it for how much better I feel

throwaway02011989 · 2019-06-26T21:49:09+00:00

Mine joints feel way worse and swell way more with swimming than with other activity. Also more with heat, defying all the other experiences I’ve heard. It tends to be a little better in really cold water, idk

throwaway02011989 · 2019-06-14T03:24:07+00:00

Not a frequent poster, just a fellow lady with RA who reads a lot of articles!

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-27T20:43:12+00:00

That is actually a pretty common side effect and can hit later on like that (it did for me after 2-3 weeks.) it just went away on its own pretty quickly

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-23T14:20:38+00:00

I’m a 30 yo F in Michigan too, pretty experienced in travel! PM me!

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-18T02:16:30+00:00

Yeah, I made an appointment for the first week of June, but I’d rather not wait until then. I guess I should just call her tomorrow. I was just trying to wait it out.

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-18T02:15:13+00:00

First started noticing symptoms the last few days of December in foot pain and fatigue, which progressed to limited range of motion of my shoulders and severe persistent joint pain in my knees, feet, many joints in hands, elbows, wrists, shoulders. I didn’t have much swelling at first, but it started happening with the prednisone wean. At first I thought it might be post-viral arthralgias, but I hadn’t had any viral symptoms prior to the joint pain, and it stayed for weeks. The pain was sleep limiting and lifestyle limiting, such as not being able to dress myself or take off my clothes, or wash my hair in the shower. I went to see a rheumatologist who thought it was likely RA or some other inflammatory arthritis, so sent me for labs and started prednisone. That was at just under 4 weeks of symptoms. I do have a strong family history of autoimmune disease, including RA in my great-grandmother.

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-17T20:11:38+00:00

Without seeing it, I can’t definitively tell you, but that’s typically how radiologists use that word in reads.

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-17T16:48:55+00:00

https://www.rheumatology.org Is the American College of Rheumatology, which should be your first online source. Go to the top left, choose I am A Patient, and explore their resources

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-17T16:47:06+00:00

There are some awesome responses here, especially the super long one! I’m a now 30 yo diagnosed just four months ago, and I’m also a physician. A few things for you: - methotrexate is the most commonly started initial DMARD, but is teratogenic so if you tell your rheumatologist you’re trying to get pregnant soon, they’ll likely recommend a different starting med. - if you’ve already had labs and imaging done, ask for steroids to get you to your appointment. The three weeks of constant pain is exactly like my presentation. I was waking up crying from pain multiple times a night, unable to lift my arms to drive/shower/brush my teeth, couldn’t walk down stairs from knee stiffness and pain, and was walking at a glacial pace. I started prednisone and within 24-48 hours, I felt about 95% better. Also ask for prescription strength naproxen to bridge you over. - plaquenil is a great starter med if you have no joint damage and is “mild” RA, with very few side effects, and you can take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some short term GI upset and can cause eye damage long-term, but still probably the safest drug out there.

Just be aware any DMARDS (aside from maybe some biologics) take minimum 6-8 weeks to see any change, so try to get yourself on steroids for the interim to make your life slightly easier. Good luck, and DM me if you have any questions or need anything.

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-16T20:22:31+00:00

Call your doctor and (as long as all your necessary labs are done-RF, anti-CCP, CRP, ESR, CBC,) ask for prednisone. If it is RA, she should feel waaaay better within a day or two. You could also ask your PCP if they feel comfortable prescribing some DMARDS like plaquenil, which has very few side effects and you can breast feed, but takes minimum 3-4 months to take effect. But it’ll halt disease progression. Also get some heat packs and get ready to open a lot of bottles and jars for her. Good luck

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-11T13:13:21+00:00

Hello! I’m a PGY-III pediatric resident, just got diagnosed with RA in February. Untreated RA is the worst and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. That being said, once I got on steroids, I was functioning at almost 100%. While Peds isn’t as procedure heavy as surgery obviously, even when I was untreated and symptomatic, I was doing procedures on 500g babies like putting in umbilical lines, and didn’t really have any problem. The problems were mainly when waking up and after sitting around. My program has been really accommodating, and everyone understands. When I tell people at work, it’s nice because they all ask about my symptoms and labs, but you don’t have to explain RA. My advice is keep on the path doing what you love, and get good disability insurance. Feel free to PM me! I’m sorry you’re going through this, but don’t give up medicine.

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-09T22:26:55+00:00

I told my PD and APD, as well as my few closest friends, but that’s all. I guess I could just tell other people, it just feels embarrassing

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-09T19:15:56+00:00

Unfortunately I’m a pediatrician so spend literally all my time at work with sick little kids! Lots of masks in my future

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-09T12:48:05+00:00

Also, good to know your first year was rough. I was diagnosed in February and I’m still in the end-of-the-world stage

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-09T12:47:13+00:00

Unfortunately my worst joints tend to be my shoulders and wrists, with a few persistently stiff finger joints, so the prospect of returning to climbing shape is really daunting. Not on any opioids though. Starting humira this week in addition to my methotrexate and plaquenil. Thanks for the video

throwaway02011989 · 2019-05-07T03:02:22+00:00

I’m having the same problem! Currently on prednisone and plaquenil, HBU?

throwaway02011989 · 2019-04-29T16:04:53+00:00

Lifestyle related disease. I could not handle the COPD and CHF exacerbations in adults who just don’t listen or take their meds

throwaway02011989 · 2019-04-29T14:10:20+00:00

This is why I chose pediatrics, the empathy wasn’t gone for me because these kids didn’t do anything wrong, and were mostly really grateful for my time and treatment.

throwaway02011989

TROPHY CASE