excruiciating pain in arms

[curlycue]

Pain in Arms

How did they know you have RA. is it a special blood test. My arms and neck have been hurting as well, My dr sent me to PT I went 24 times and its still there. I started Accupucture today felt great while I was there and then felt pain again in a couple of hours. I am going to pray for all of us. I am so glad I have you ladies. You guys are awsome.

[MakinIT]

I started with this unexplain inflammation above my right elbow..doc didn't know what was what..gave me antibiotics, but I was exhausted, weak, had fevers, as well as my usual strong IC stuff. The pain spread across the shoulders and into elbows and redness continued. They suspect the pain meds I'm on held pain in my hands down but I am now struggling with that and clumsiness with hands. SO...my doc did a CBC...found low white blood cell, gave me celebrex...told me I had a virus. The pain increased..increased to the point I was screaming in pain. I couldn't stop it. So last week my doc ran the Arthritis panel. They called me early the next day. There is a test that isn't exact but with the symptoms I have it is sure...it is a marker for RA...the normal number is 1-12 (1-12 whats, I don't know...) but then I wind up with 160 whatevers in this RA test....All I know is this test said that I was in the severe range...apparently what I know now is if I were in my 60's I would be in a wheel chair now because this is coming on me like a steam train. I month ago I could lift, move, pour, ect..I can't do diddly upper body...typing is even getting hard.My neck has to be totally supported. My legs are fine at the moment if those go....I don't want to think about it...independence completely gone, I am very scared of that. I don't want to be taken care of.Thanks....falling asleep.

[curlycue]

Pain

Good Luck

[Zygala87]

My Sister has all the same symptoms. She just was DX with Lyme Disease and was told she has had it for a long time. I'm sure your Doctor ruled out everything he/she could. Haveing RA today is not the same as our Grandmothers. There is help with the pain and Doctors don't just think" yep you got it, nothing can be done." I Pray you find some comfort. Having IC is sure enough of a cross to bare. I care, Hug. Ziggy

[curlycue]

[Moonheart]

Tracey,

When you say your neck has to be totally supported, did you mean because of the pain, or because you can't hold your neck up?

I panicked when I read that because my grandma had RA and then a few years later acquired Lou Gherig's disease, or ALS. It was horrible. I won't go into the details, you could Google it, but I hope your doctor's rule it out.

[MakinIT]

Moonheart: I know what ALS is...I had Guillian Barre Syndrome when I was 20 and I was became very, very interested in diseases of the nervous system following that! After you spend a year paralyzed and completely dependent on others and machines to help you eat, breathe, pee and poop.... you become phobic of anything that may remove your independence. No, my neck hurts but my muscles are also weak...the same sorta weakness I have in my tricep and the epicondyl of the elbow (pain) and weakness in my forearms...hands. I don't think there's a connection between RA and ALS except Auto immune.

With Lyme disease,zygala...doesn't the rash look target like?

Thanks all

Tracey

[MakinIT]

But I think I will look up ALS

[Babs RN]

Tracey--
I'm glad they figured out what it is, sorry is was something so yucky.(Yup, that is actually a medical term). Every one of my last dx have been something autoimmune. You have been through so much and are such a strong person. Hang in there.

Hugs,
Barb

[MakinIT]

Yeah...Yucky...my favorite medical term. I've just decided there should be a disconnect from my pain nerves and everything. I am glad I have a counselor. My appointment with him a couple days ago was the most productive I've had in 4 years. I think because I've finally come to terms with the fact I can't work, and now we can move beyond the wall...I am just angry now and hurting, looking for the support from my family that I am having difficulty getting. But....I may be able to drag them into counseling with me...my counselor really wants me to, because they just don't get it. Anyway...Babs..you sure have alot of things going on...I've had a DVT...when I had GBS (a nurse dropped me when it was in my chart to be two man transferred) and my knees went completely under me...I mean the lower part of my leg folded under my knees and stretched the athrophied quads...between that and my paralysis...DVT time..

[MakinIT]

the pain has spread

I am in so much pain right now I can't think straight...I woke from a nap earlier and the pain has spread to my knees and ankles as well as the the intense pain in my arms, which...beleive it or not....is even worse than before..I truly hate being a whiner but I "cannot take much more of this captain" (uh, Star Trek reference...Scottie..) sorry, lame attempt at humor. Holy schmoly this pain has to go away and go away soon. I am supposed to make an Easter Dinner tomorrow and I don't know if I could do it if they were in Hungry Man trays. And I'm scared. The pain moving to my lower joints is what scares me...I don't want to be dependent,

Have a great evening and happy Easter

[pingpong]

A friend of mine has had RA for close to 20 years. She's taken prednisone, methotrexate, gold, and many other meds that I can't remember. She's had fantastic relief from Remicaid, though, and she was miserable when she had to change insurance and had to go without it for about a year. She's back on it and is feeling so much better. Hopefully your doctor can find something to give you relief.

[curlycue]

Pain

PingPong, That is great. I am so glad that your friend is going good.

Tigger I know its going to take time but I know you will find the right combo of meds and be on your way to a good life. I will pray for all of us, that is what I seem to do all day long. Have a good Easter.

[MakinIT]

Hi Curly cue: it's funny..you get to writing to so many folks you lose track...It Makinit with the goofed up joints...But Tigger has been writing alot on this thread so maybe that's why...

I've read about all the supplements that you listed Ping Pong..my chiro gave me list and I researched them and am going to decide which ones...I am going to take Glucosomine, and am taking Vitamin D, 300 mg of CoQ10, Probiotic (like what's in yogurt), and Vitamin C. I am researching others but I can't stay awake. But I will have to take out a small loan to get them. I sure hope my insurance will pay for stuff the rheum. prescribes. I woke up all night in pain. Took lots pain meds finally...between that and my bladder I am a wreck.

Anyway...research, research, researcj

Tracey (MakinIt)

[Kara29]

Tracey,

I hope those treatments give you some much needed relief! Has your doctor mentioned anything about complex regional pain syndrome?

Gentle Hugs

Kara