Waiting for diagnosis
My Name is Gwen. At the moment I am waiting to get an appointment with the RA clinic here in cork to be assessed.
I am finding it very hard to deal with the pain and stiffness especially in my hands. I am also crying nearly every day and I feel totally alone. I do have family around but they can't feel what I an feeling.
My doctor has me on ibuprofen at the moment until I get the assessment from the clinic.
Is anyone else going through what I am feeling.
Thanks for the advice. I am hoping my Doctor will have some results back next week.
Hi Gwen. I'm newly diagnosed also. Waiting for that first rheumatology visit was so difficult. Similar to you, all I had to take before the visit was ibuprofen or naproxen. I think the stress of it all just made it worse.
I bought a pair of compression gloves made for people with arthritis to help when my hands are particularly bad. I have the ones with the fingertips removed. Most of the pharmacies around here have them. I'm sure you could buy them online too. Heat seems to help too whether it's soaking them or just clutching that cup of hot coffee or tea.
Good luck with your RA clinic appointment.
Hi everyone -
Gwen, I can certainly understand what you are going through. Getting a life-changing diagnosis like RA can be scary, but it a way I found it liberating to finally know what I was fighting and have a direction to go in! I hope that your doctors are able to give you some information soon. Please remember to keep asking questions - it is their job to answer them and make you feel supported while dealing with your health.
Sneed, I love epsom salts as well! I am dependent on a variety of medications to control my RA, but sometimes I find that a nice hot epsom salt bath will help take the edge off when I am struggling. A particularly good option when I was pregnant and couldn't take my medications! ~;o)
Sydney, I think you are right that the stress and emotional trauma can make things worse. We have to remember that it is equally important to take care of our emotional health as it is to take care of our physical health! I hope you are hanging in there!
~Mariah~ (Site Moderator)
