Just diagnosed
My name is Debbie. I have rheumatoid appointment in August. Feel very swollen and tired. My fingers look like Vienna sausages and can't put my shoes on. Just a general feeling not good at all
Hi, Debbie (
) ! I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly. RA can definitely make things a challenge, especially if you aren't being treated by a doctor yet. Is your August appointment your first appointment with the Rheumatologist? I hope the time flies by (although I know how time can seem to drag when you are in pain) and your doctor is able to start you on a treatment plan that works well for you and brings you some relief.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.thank you and yes August 3rd is the soonest appointment I can get in so I'm suffering in pain every day thank you. Very stiff today 
wanted to reach out, because I am having a super stiff day today, too. You're not alone. Still wishing for relief for you, and thank you for sharing. You are not alone in your journey. Please continue to reach out anytime. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
Hi Debbie (
). I want to share with you this article from our contributor Tamara on what to expect from your first rheumatologist appointment: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/what-to-expect-at-your-first-rheumatologist-appointment. In addition, this article looks at questions for the doctor, which might be helpful in establishing goals for your treatment: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/questions-for-the-doctor. People here know how hard it can be to get and deal with an RA diagnosis, but know it can also be the first step towards making things better. Also, given your current symptoms, you may want to ask if you can be put on a cancellation list to potentially get your appointment moved up. This community is here for you and please feel free, if you like to keep us posted on how you are doing and to ask questions. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) Debbie, I am 71 and iI went years without an accurate diagnosis. I went from a good rheumatologist who had an AWFUL staff to a good rheumatlologist who retired , a rheumatologist who didn't really want to treat someone else's former patient to Finally finding someone who "had my back"! I have RA and Ankylosing Spondylitis both - I never know which is causing my constant pain. After 7 months with my new doctor, I and feeling drastically better.
Good luck on your Journey, August 3 is getting closer every day, but I hope your flare settles down before you see the doctor.thank you. I've been really stiff and very tired. This is very hard to deal with and no one understands. Not even my fiance. I'm very depressed Hi Debbie (
). People here understand that it can be lonely, especially early on, but I can tell you that there will be people who step up and surprise you and it will make a difference in your life. I noticed you mentioned your fiancé. I happen to be the husband of someone with RA (my wife, Kelly Mack, is a contributor here). I can tell you that when I met Kelly I knew very little about RA, but I was willing to learn. Besides being willing to learn, I was also willing to treat her as any other person - she is much more than the disease, as are you. It is an important line - remembering the whole person, but having understanding and empathy for the condition. Below you asked about articles explaining the disease to others. A good one to start with is this one from our contributor explaining RA to those in her life: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/disease-explanation. Hope this information helps. As a side note: here is an article from Kelly on our "surprise relationship:" https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/surprise-relationship. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
