My problems started about 2 months ago when i woke up and every joint in my body was swollen, from my feet all the way to my jaw. Went to the doc they said it was viral, gave me tamiflu sent me home. the swelling lasted about a week then went away but it seems like it all settled in my shoulders and shoulder blade area. I have never experienced this much pain in my shoulders before.I have never had any episode like this before, my joints other than my shoulders do not hurt at all. I have no rashes, no bumps anywhere. The doc's ran blood tests and told me I tested positive for rheumatoid factor. It seems to me they are guessing what is wrong with me because they keep putting me on different meds such as prednisone and etodolac along with vicodin for pain. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
2007-03-23 01:58:41 · 8 answers · asked by cliffandwendy 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
it's possible you do have it but i would consult another doctor and get a second opinion. Call your insurance company to make sure they cover them and then ask your doctor to refer you to another one if you have an HMO. But seek another opinion from another doctor
2007-03-23 02:03:41 · answer #1 · answered by dawifeski 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has the doctor advised you to have an MRI of the shoulder? Even though your RH factor is high it does not necessarily mean you have rhematoid arthritis. The MRI could show that is the case or could show there is another problem such as a torn rotator cuff which could cause major pain and prednisone will not help that but a cortizone injection might.
2007-03-23 03:02:13 · answer #2 · answered by Mom of 2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a Rheumatologist rather than a GP to get a physical exam of your joints and perhaps further testing for inflammation (Sedimentation Rate and CRP) as well as other blood tests. I just visited a Rheumatologist last week for the first time to find out the source of joint pain for the last 3 1/2 months. They believe it is viral, but they are going to continue testing in another month.
Getting to a diagnosis of RA usually is not a overnight process. Go to a RA specialist (they also deal in other Rheumatic diseases) to be checked out, because if you do have RA you want to catch it early to start treatment and keep damage to a minimum. If you keep having symptoms - be sure to stay proactive to get a conclusive diagnosis of what is wrong and a second opinion if needed. Hope it is just a virus. Good luck.
2007-03-26 06:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by JB208 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.
If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.
Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.
And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.
I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.
It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.
Today, I want to do the same for you!
2016-05-15 04:14:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said you are seeing a doctor...is he an arthritis specialist (Rheumatologist)? I would suggest you see a specialist. Sometimes alot of tests are needed because you are showing symptoms of more than one disease and each has to be ruled out individually.
I have posted a link about rheumatoid arthritis...please look it over.
Avoid prolonged use of any steroid (prednisone) or pain pills (vicoden) if at all possible (sometimes the positives outweigh the negatives and they need to be taken).
Feel better soon!
2007-03-23 02:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by pamomof4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey I have it. Now I'm a Vet. and depend on sorry veterans healthcare, but I found a Doctor to percribe me predisone 5mg. a day. it helps and I take 8 50 mg. Ultram a day,8 500 mg tyenol, and 500 mg. Lodiene 2 times a day. But I still have mornings where I wish I had a sawed off shotgun.
2016-03-29 00:52:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
RA factor positive does not mean you have rheumatoid arthiritis nor its absence meanyou does not have it. Get XRAY of joints affected done and consult a rheumatoidolgist.
2007-03-23 02:09:36 · answer #7 · answered by babbumal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of information on arthritis is available at http://www.aches.in/jointpain.html
2007-03-26 01:59:03 · answer #8 · answered by Rajni P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋