Thanks to the Flare Ups

By celia123

2 min read

My Diagnosis Story

Around 2008, I think everything you can imagine showed up for me in my health. I thought I was fairly healthy. I began to notice a lot of pain, stiffness and swelling. I had also been experiencing real severe migraines. I had a group of doctors at this time because I had been hospitalized for a Tia (stroke). I was having difficulty walking and a lot of pain. It really didn't take long because of my symptoms. I took many blood tests and was told I had RA and lupus. I was very shocked at the diagnosis because I hadn't any of these diseases. I know every now and then I couldn't walk very far without my leg and knees giving out. So here I was being treated for this and that. It was very overwhelming for me and wanted to question the doctors. I never got a second opinion but just accepted what was told to me. So here I was dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, RA, Lupus. This was all an autoimmune disease. I began to learn coping mechanisms.

I've even experienced other drs. questioning me about the diagnosis I've been given. My comment to them is it's in all my medical records. I guess its unbelievable that one woman could have so many diseases. I'm grateful for my diagnosis and my treatment. When your body is acting unusual, it's good to know there is a real illness that is causing the symptoms. It's good to have a healthcare team that cares. Its good to know that these physicians know what test to do to determine A, B and C. Its been a journey for me, but I'm now grateful for my flare ups. It just lets me know that my medical condition exists and I'm being treated for it. I take care of my health now more than ever. I certainly don't take my health for granted. My advice to people is, if you think there's something wrong with you and you don't have a clue. Go see a doctor, let them test you and put a name to that disease. It will prove beneficial in the long run. It sure has proven so for me.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Erin Rush Community Admin
Thank you for sharing, celia123! I am so glad you are advocating for yourself! You shared some great tips in your post, too. I always tell our members that they know their bodies better than anyone else and if they know something is wrong, they should keep fighting for a diagnosis and proper treatment. I am glad you are taking charge of your health and doing the best you can to stay as healthy as possible. Thank you so much for sharing and may 2018 be a healthy year for you! Best, Erin, <a href='http://RheumatoidArthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> Team member.
Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi celia123. You are absolutely correct that getting a diagnosis and on a treatment plan can make a huge difference. In this article one of our contributors writes about getting and dealing with a diagnosis: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/no-1-its-just-a-diagnosis/' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/no-1-its-just-a-diagnosis/</a>. She notes "I have to tell you that having a diagnosis and actually putting a name to what was wrong with me was a blessing. Instead of bouncing from doctor to doctor and having pain and symptoms that continued to get worse – I had a treatment plan for controlling the disease. There was something I could do about it and people to help guide me." Glad pursuing and getting diagnosed has had similar positive effects for you. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
rockcandi Member
For people who don't have medical problems, especially autoimmune diseases, it's so foreign for them that someone would be relieved and somewhat excited to be told something like You have RA. The fact is that we're not happy that we have a disease(s). What we're happy about is putting an actual name to what you've known is going wrong with your body. Before a dxd you can sometimes feel crazy, that it's all in your mind, that you're a hypochondriac. That last one was the word I heard the most for the all the years that I was having something new go wrong everyday. I'm glad you got your diagnoses and that you're able to finally be treated correctly for those issues.

Thanks to the Flare Ups

My Diagnosis Story

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