Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Don't Rule My Aud Life

When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2005, I had one blood test performed and some x-rays ordered, and at the time that was my extent of knowledge to the range of possibilities in diagnosing the disease. Learning more about RA caused me to look into the tests that are beneficial in proper diagnosis, and in turn, understanding what the tests actually did helped me understand more about the disease.

I had an Rh factor test (a simple blood test) taken which turned out to be positive. Antibodies are normal proteins found in the blood; the Rh (Rheumatoid) factor is an antibody that can bind or attach itself to other antibodies. The Rh factor isn’t usually found in normal population; however it is found in over 80% of adults who have RA.

A general CBC (Complete Blood Count) test may be ordered to measure red blood cells, their number, fraction and size; it also measures the number of white blood cells, and the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. This will the Dr an idea of there’s infection, or any other condition going on.

I’m glad I just have to type this next one out, if I tried to pronounce it I’d mess up! Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) should be called the ‘inflammation measuring test’ because that’s what it does; it measures how much inflammation is in the body.

The C - Reactive Protein test is a little trickier which measures a special type of protein produced by the liver. During a time of acute inflammation or infection the liver will secrete this protein and the CRP measures the concentration of this protein in blood serum. Although it’s not specific, a high result of the protein gives a general indication of intense inflammation and Rheumatoid Arthritis causes a large amount of inflammation, especially during flare-ups. Because it’s not specific, a high CRP rate could also be indicative of rheumatic fever, lupus, cancer, tuberculosis, heart attack or pneumonia.

This next test sounds to me more like a weapon or air craft – the HLA B27. It’s a gene marker affiliated with quite a few related rheumatic conditions. They have a few things in common such as peripheral arthritis (affects the large joints of the body) and spinal arthritis, skin and gastro-intestinal disorder, certain glaucoma, and psoriasis like skin lesions. This isn’t a usual test that A Doctor would perform because a lot of patients with this gene never develop any rheumatic symptoms.

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) is a blood sample specimen from the patient, put onto microscope slides that have been commercially prepared with cells, to look for antinuclear antibodies. If the patient’s serum does contain the ANA, they will bind to the cells on the slide (particularly the nuclei of the cells).

A second commercially fluorescent tagged antibody is then added to the serum and prepared cells on the slide. The fluorescent antibody attaches to the serum antibodies and cells which have bound together, and when it’s viewed under an ultraviolet microscope, the ANA appear as fluorescent cells.

ANA’s are discovered in people who various autoimmune diseases, but can be also found in patients with infections, lung disease, cancer, GI diseases, hormonal disease, blood diseases, and skin diseases. Having ANA tests performed is only one factor in diagnosing RA, other factors need to be considered such as symptoms, medical history and other medical tests.

Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody (Anti-CCP) test is a fairly new test being preformed to help doctors diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis.  It measures the citrulline antibody, and if it is a moderate to high level it not only confirms the diagnosis but also may show that the patient is at an increased risk for damage to joints.

One last test that I found was on Synovial Fluid, the thick fluid found in cartilage which reduces friction between joints and adds lubrication and cushioning during movement. Analyzing the synovial fluid helps detect markers of joint destruction, but this is not a test that is usually performed because it’s not the most comfortable test. A sterile needle is inserted into the joint space, and fluid is then aspirated into a syringe. The specimen is then analyzed in a laboratory and examined for red and white blood cells, crystals (in case of gout), and bacteria.

X-rays, ultra-sound and MRI’s are commonly performed in order to determine the possibility and extent of joint damage, in order to give doctors a better understanding of the intensity of the condition.

Initially these are the some of the first tests that are preformed especially during the diagnosis process.

While waiting for the results of my Rh factor test, I went through a roller coaster of thoughts and images in my mind. Sometimes I was optimistic, sometimes pessimistic and sometimes in complete denial. How did you feel while waiting for your results?

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I’ve come across some funny comments that people make when they learn I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, some comments are just simple while others I find more frustrating. So here are some myths to illuminate the facts.

Myth #1- Rheumatoid Arthritis can be cured.
Oh, how I wish this was true. Right now there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis. However there are a lot of successful treatments and procedures to slow it down and put the disease into remission, and increase the quality of life of a sufferer.

Myth #2- Rheumatoid Arthritis is an old person’s disease.
Some days I do feel like I’m 90 years old, but I’m only 33. RA can strike at any age. Children, young adults and middle aged people can be affected, and this condition doesn’t care whether you’re male or female.

Myth #3- “You felt fine yesterday, why are you feeling so terrible today?”
This is one of the frustrating myths. Although sometimes I do get a bit of a warning when a flare is going to hit, but that doesn’t happen all the time. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck!! I may feel tired and achey, or in a lot of pain. No real explanation other than RA involves periods of flare ups and remission, and you roll with the punches.

Myth #4- Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by the wet cold.
While I am personally affected by the weather, not all other sufferers experience the same thing and the cold and wet not the cause of the onset of the disease. Pain is caused from inflammation and the deterioration of cartilage in the joint. For me, warm baths, and other heat sources are very soothing for sore joints, and I feel pretty good when the climate is warm and dry.

Myth #5- Rheumatoid Arthritis only consists of minor aches and pains.
Yeah, another frustrating myth. I hate those commercials that say “Pop a couple aspirin or Advil and all your arthritis pain will be gone!” I’d love to scatter their chickens! All arthritis sufferers know that this is a crock of….(you fill in the blank)! RA hurts and it hurts a lot, and it’s more than aspirin, extra strength Tylenol or Aleve can handle. A regimen of diet, exercise, supplements and other medications is usually the best way to overcome RA pain.

Myth #6- Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by poor diet.
Sure, I believe that diet greatly affects a Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer’s life, but it’s not the cause of the disease. I feel that the digestive system plays a major roll in the immune systems function and since RA is an autoimmune disease, I like to keep an eye on what I’m putting into my body, and I keep track on how I feel after I eat something, especially if I’ve never had it before or haven’t had it in a long time.

Myth #7- “If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis you can’t do…..”
Wow, not something to say to a stubborn person! There are some things I’m  not able to do, and some things I probably shouldn’t do, but most are because I’m a woman, not that strong, and I’m an incredible klutz. A certain amount of help is likely to be required when fatigue and pain are at their worst, but some try to do too much for a sufferer and it can limit them. Certainly RA interferes with some physical activity but it doesn’t mean that someone becomes an invalid because of their diagnosis. Emotional and physical stimulation is an important part of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment.
Have you come across some odd or absurd comments about Rheumatoid Arthritis? Share them! I’d love to hear them!

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You’ve been referred to a Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist (Rheumatologist) and you’re anticipating your first visit. I’m sure you’re feeling anxious, nervous, intimidated and perhaps scared out of your wits, gathering your thoughts together and writing down questions to ask can make the most of your first visit.

For me, I had no idea what to expect, but I had a lot of questions that I needed answers to.
Here are my top 9 questions that I asked my Rheumatologist on my first visit.

1. Do I have arthritis? I know some blood work had been done, and my family practitioner suspected it, but I hadn’t had a definite answer.

2. What type of arthritis? I wanted to make sure that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the Rh factor confirmed it.

3. What the first bit of treatment? My family Dr had given me cortisone shots but I wanted to know the next step, which was Plaquenil.

4. What does this new treatment do? Alright, so I’m on Plaquenil- what the heck does it do? Is it a pain killer? NSAID? Anti-inflammatory?

5. How long until I notice improvement? I needed a time line, something to set my sights on, and I was told it would be about 6 weeks before I really noticed a difference.

6. What if it doesn’t work? If Plaquenil didn’t put the disease into remission, then methotrexate would be prescribed.

7. How will my progress be monitored? I was told to keep careful watch and record anything new, and to bring all this information back with me on my next visit. Participation on both sides of the table is very important and can make treatment more successful.

8. What other tests will I need? I had already had some blood work to determine the Rheumatoid factor, but a test for Marfan Syndrome was also ordered, x-rays and a biopsy procedure were also booked.

9. What else can I do to help myself? I couldn’t just leave it up to the rheumatologist to fix my problem, I wanted to be a part of it too. I was advised to keep physically active as much as possible, to watch what I was eating, keep my stress level low and to rest as often as I could.

So, don’t be afraid to get involved and ask questions. Doctors aren’t mind readers, they need to be asked sometimes in order to share information.

What other questions would you ask your doctor?

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Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis can make a person feel very lonely, and definitely not very glamorous. A recent little search online into celebrities suffering with RA made me feel a little less isolated and maybe not so awkward feeling. Stiff fingers and sore, aching knees don’t seem quite so painful when you can watch others live with it as well. Those with more spotlight shining on them are able to give voice to not only themselves but those who can identify with them.

 I watched “the Soprano’s” every week, and not until today did I realize that Aida Turturro, who played Tony’s sister Janice, has also been diagnosed with RA since a young girl. Now in her 40’s, she has become the spokesperson for “Joint Effort Against Arthritis,” an American arthritis awareness campaign sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. It’s also sponsored by Centocor, a US company that makes a well-known arthritis drug, Remicade.

 I always thought James Coburn was a cool guy: tough, strong and silent with a rough cynical sense of humor. I like the late actor even more now because I’m able to identify with him and the discouragement of living with constant pain and the medical community not being able to supply any relief. Like him, I went off conventional medications like Plaquenil and Methotrexate and tried something a little unorthodox. He found deep tissue massage, electromagnetic treatments, and MSM to do the trick, I’ve found daily exercise, watching my diet, and Lyprinol (green mollusk extract) to help way more than what the doctors were prescribing me. *Just a reminder: I’m not suggesting anyone should toss their physician’s advice!!

 Way back in 1928, Lucille Ball was diagnosed at the age of 17. She was a young model at the time and was told that she would be wheel chair bound for the rest of her life, but after 2 years of barely being able to walk, with metal braces on her legs, and other medical treatments, she overcame this road block and became the television sweetheart known the world over.

 Being able to witness victories won over Rheumatoid Arthritis gives a sufferer a little more strength and encouragement to keep going. I can relate and gain from their experiences; feeling a little more inspired when the going gets tough and maybe even feeling a touch more glamorous!

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I’m sure I’ve said it before in a previous post that I’m feeling better in my 30’s than I did in my 20’s, but I’m wanting to make that point again. For about 10 years I was quite a bit miserable, in a out of hospital for so many reasons from stomach and back issues, to having strokes and surgeries. By the time I turned 30 my medical chart was over 2 inches thick and I felt old. There was a 30 year old face in the mirror, but I felt 90.  The biggest reason was the <em>Rheumatoid Arthritis</em> that caused me to feel creaky and rusty like the tin man in Oz before the oil can relief!

So why am I feeling so “awesome” now? I’m learning to live with a different mind set, instead of putting others needs first, taking care of myself has become priority. Let me explain before I get called a selfish wench! How can I help properly when I’m barely able to get around myself? I might as well do nothing because I’m not going to do a lick of quality good for anyone. When I’m healthy and happy I’m in a better position to participate and people actually enjoy my presence because I’m not cranky!

The first step was to inform myself about arthritis and what arthritis causes. I then used my medical history along with professional health care advice to map out the supplements and medications I would be able to take to reduce pain and damage. The next process was getting physically active, starting out slow and doing things I truly enjoyed. 

I found my hobbies to be a great source of therapy. They not only gave me physical activity but my mind was taken off the disease for the time being. Playing the guitar and piano, painting and other creative outlets provide amazing exercise for my hands. Gardening, walking and muscle building has improved my knees, back and feet.

I’m not saying that everyday is a bowl of sickly sweet sunshine, I do have the occasional heavy storm clouds rolling in, but they’re not as severe or frequent as they were, even a year ago. It’s a fantastic feeling to look back upon my day and see all I’ve accomplished despite the fact that I have <em>Rheumatoid Arthritis.</em>

Everyone has interests or hobbies that keep them active - can you share your story?

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