Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Michelle says:

I admit that I indeed even more frustrated than when before I went to the doctor. All of my tests for types of arthritis, gout, etc were negative, yet my doctor says that my blood does show some type of inflammation going on.(?) I show all the signs of RA except it is not showing in my blood, therefore my doctor isn’t sure what to think. I just was sent for a mammogram to rule out cancer and the rest of my blood tests are excellent for a woman my age (49). I am currently dealing with inflammation of my shoulder and elbow joints along with muscle weakness. About two years ago I had horrible muscle weakness in my arms where I could not even lift a small pan or jar without excruciating pain. Is there somewhere a comprehensive list of symptoms that I can go through to show this doctor other then the ones I can remember to have had, that I might be having and not paying attention to which could be a better indicator of what is going on? I am frankly tired of the “hit & run” episodes of this disease, which makes it really hard to show a doctor when you are not having an episode of inflammation. What would you suggest? So far , no one is interested in x-rays of my joints but previously no one has ever noticed any damage to them other than my having bouts of tendinitis.

Karla says:

This is the kind of reminder that makes me want to hide away from RA sites like yours, Kelly. After all, there is the old adage that “ignorance is bliss.”

I’ve been having a flare for the last 3-4 days in the joints in my fingers. I know that I caused it by doing too much crochet. And, after reading your post, it sounds like I’d be better off to just give up my crochet now before it does permanent damage.

Except, I love what I’m doing. When everything else hurts and I just want to cry from frustration, I can always pull out my hook and yarn and make something.

People with RA are always in a balancing act, I know. But today the balancing is just making me angry. It’s like a sick Catch-22 where the things that give me strength to get through the worst RA symptoms are also the most damaging in and of themselves.