Looking For Attention

By ra911

1 min read

My family and my daughter’s in-laws felt I was lazy and looking for attention. That I was looking for others to take care of me and my responsibilities.

That my pain was all in my head. My bloodwork came back negative for RA with my PC but the PA was concerned and had the nephrologist send me for a renal scan.

Thankfully that was fine bc my blood panel looked like I had advanced stage 3 CKD. Nephrologist sent me to a rheumatologist and she did a panel that was above and beyond. Still negative. She sent me for X-rays of hands, wrists, ankles & feet.

The X-ray showed bone on bone in the right ankle. Spurring in heels and a bone lesion on the left foot.

She then sent me for an MRI. Well, guess what? Inflammation, swelling & deterioration in the joints.

What triggered my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?

I had no symptoms of RA until after radiation when I was hit by a large vehicle while sitting at a stop sign.

I started having severe pain 14 days after impact but no one believed me. I started seeing a chiropractor.

Things got worse. I saw surgeons. Some said I needed spinal fusion and some said I didn’t. This was the twilight zone. 2 years of continued and progressing pain and finally it’s RA.

Could the impact have triggered the RA?

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Monica Y. Sengupta Moderator & Contributor
Hey <inline-mention user-id="3154349" username="ra911"/> , thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I am so sorry you went through this with your family. Not having support because of our invisible symptoms is a big topic here in this community. It's hard to say what first triggers the RA. I have heard from other community members that their condition popped up after a particularly stressful time or even after an injury. Sometimes it just happens. Please know this community is here for you. If you ever need to talk, we will listen. All the best, Monica
cheeflo Member
Twenty years ago, I bought a house with a garage door which was too heavy for the automatic door opener, so the previous homeowner disconnected it. In spite of being very careful opening and closing it, I developed what I thought was an impingement injury in both shoulders. One morning I woke up with my entire body wracked with pain, like someone had taken a baseball bat to every inch. I consulted an orthopedist and went to physical therapy for weeks, but while my pain began to abate, I noticed significant changes in my hands and feet -- swelling, pain, distortions in my small joints, etc. I visited more than one doctor over several months and eventually an internist with some diagnostic talent informed me that I had RA. While the news was unwelcome, I did feel a sense of relief at finally knowing what was going on and that treatments existed. But I am convinced that that terrible morning was the explosive onset of my condition. It is now well-managed, but my shoulders are still a primary source of torment and I can't even open a bottle of water or squeeze a bottle of mustard.
judis Member
I get this! My daughter-in-law was diagnosed with RA about 3 years ago, then I was about a year ago. She had the gall to accuse me of "stealing her thunder?" Umm, no. I have 2 autoimmune diseases, the RA decided to jump on board. We warriors know the likelihood of having more than one AU disorder is nearly inevitable.
julieh56 Member
I read somehwere that stress can trigger RA; and I really believe that. My RA started after a really stressful couple years; when I went through Nursing school while in an emotionally and financially abusive relationship; then later a tumultuous marriage to a different person. Am convinced the stress of all that; and subsequent lowered immune system; triggered my RA. Hang in there, sista.
1. L rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="julieh56" user-id="3185673"/> I also think that my RA was also stress related. In my case it was mostly work related. right in the middle of working so hard I was just brought to my knees. I am glad to be on the other side, even if I did end up with RA. 
2. RHall Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="julieh56" user-id="3185673"/> I'm sorry you went through those rough periods but really appreciate you using those tough times to offer supportive perspective! - Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Jo Johnson Moderator & Contributor
I believe my RA “erupted”. I think I had genetic risk factors and very low lying disease. When I had a medical procedure that caused a lot of inflammation, the RA broke through. I think I would have developed RA eventually, but that physical stress allowed it to erupt then.