Rheumatoid Arthritis??? Scared to Death

hospitalstaph · Jul 27, 2006

The first thing that you need to do is see your healthcare provider. If you have RA (which you may not even have) you will be able to function as a student and eventually a nurse much more easily is you are getting an effective treatment.

Seriously, I understand why you are scared, but ignoring it will not make it go away.

t

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

Go to the doctor!

It may not be RA, I thought I had RA and it turned out to be another Autoimmune disorder. I took the meds until my immune system settled down and now I am fine. NO matter what you have you need medical care.

LanaBanana · Jul 28, 2006

Rule #1 for nursing students - DON'T self-diagnose!

It's like looking through the DSM-IV and identifying with all the psychiatric disorders. You may very well have RA, but there's a good chance you don't. My dr has tested me for this several times and it always comes back negative. They just give me meds when it's kind of flared up, but I wish I knew what caused my pain. My roommate is 24 and has been dx'd with RA for 4 years now. She is a teacher and takes medication and does fine as long as she remembers to stay on her meds. She stays on a schedule for seeing her rheumatologist and will probably be changing meds soon due to changes in her x-rays, but it's all a way to manage the pain.

Just stay calm until you see the dr. There's nothing you can do about it until then. Goodluck!

embradsmom · Jul 28, 2006

Go see the doc before you start to panic. I have RA and I am going to be in nursing school (taking Prereqs now). I am 32 and had this all my life. I was diagnosed at age 1 with Juvenile RA. There are so many treatment options now that I am not worried that I will have a problem when I start working. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask me.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

I have a left foot that started swelling out of nowhere about 2 years ago...the internist I saw diagnosed me with RA and put my on predisone and methotextrate....after 6 or more months of this and no change in the foot, I finally got in to see someone considered one of the best in this field...she squeezed my foot, looked at it, turned it over and around, and determined that I do NOT have RA....suggested it's more vascular (not that I'm thrilled to have any problem, but I was relieved to get off the meds)....

I could tell you the story of why I thought the first doc, Chester the Molester, was incorrect in his diagnosis, but that's a story for another day...go see the best doctor you can find in your area and get the facts...and do it now....you won't be sorry....

mappy122 · Jul 28, 2006

Thank you all for your replies. I went to see my doctor today, and he took some bloodwork for testing. He also told me to calm down, and continue taking the aleve until he finds out anything from the tests. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and doing alot of praying. Talking about it and getting feedback sure does help. Thank you. I'll be back with the results next week.

Mappy-

mappy122 · Aug 1, 2006

Yeah, my doctor called me today with the results, and told me to find a rheumatologist. (hope I spelled that right) He also gave me some samples of Celebrex, and it helps. So I go to the specialist later this month. I thought about it though, I can't sit and wait to become crippled. (not that that will actually happen) I'm going to continue with school, so I can give my son the future he deserves. I am sad though. :scrying:

hospitalstaph · Aug 2, 2006

Yeah, my doctor called me today with the results, and told me to find a rheumatologist. (hope I spelled that right) He also gave me some samples of Celebrex, and it helps. So I go to the specialist later this month. I thought about it though, I can't sit and wait to become crippled. (not that that will actually happen) I'm going to continue with school, so I can give my son the future he deserves. I am sad though.

If it is RA, seriously don't give up becoming a nurse!!! I have a dear friend with RA and she is on Imuran and is doing very well. She also works full time and has two children, one with a severe disability. If she can do it, you can too. You will be a very compassionate and wonderful nurse:)

T

MuddaMia · Aug 2, 2006

Sometimes self diagnosis works!

When I was doing pre-reqs I had an attack of what everyone was sure was Lupus. I had severe joint pain, a lacy rash, etc etc. It was so bad I literally could not walk without looking like a complete fool. The Docs tested me--and I had a very high ANA, but no inflammatory response. They were still convinced I had Lupus and wanted to start me on anti-malaria meds. I refused to believe it. I hadn't even begun nursing school and I have 4 little girls.

I got on the web and began a frantic search. I came across the Sx of an adult with parvo. I had been around kids who had Fifths disease and thought "A HA!" Parvo virus (fifths) often mimics SLE in adults. I asked the Doc to test me for antibodies against it..she was hesitant--but agreed. That was it and I am fine now. It took about 1 year before I was pain free--but I actually forgot about it until I saw your post!

grad08 · Aug 8, 2006

I am so sorry to hear that you likely have RA. I am beginning my first semester towards an ADN and one of my biggest motivations has been my father who has had RA since he was 30. I always loved taking care of him when I was a little girl, but it broke my heart to see him suffer. His RA started as severe pain in his big toe and several doctors told him the pain was just in his head and that he wasn't sick. Some said he had lupus or other autoimmune diseases. For many years he didn't receive proper treatment and that was in the 80's when there were not as many helpful drug therapies for RA. He never stopped working a day, even when he was sick with fever and pain that would make most people just want to stay in bed. I think because he kept working and doing what he loves, running his 400 acre cattle ranch, he didn't become "crippled" and live his life in a wheelchair. He's currently taking Humira, and has taken Enbrel, which have helped him quite a bit.

Don't give up on your dream to become a nurse just because of RA and get to your rheumatologist. From what I've heard the sooner you get treatment, the more likely the drugs can slow the progression of RA. I just wish some of these meds had been around when my dad was first diagnosed. Good luck with school!!! Don't let anything slow you down or steal your dreams.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

Sorry to hear of your likely diagnosis. Grieving for what is happening to you is normal. I have an autoimmune disease and I have made it through nursing school just fine. Getting diagnosed was one of the most horrible times in my life, but I made it through. It was the motivating factor behind me going to nursing school.

My dad has RA, he has had it for many years and is just fine. He does not take care of himself and he is doing OK.

We only get one life and we can't let anything take away our living of it. PM if you want to talk.