There is a purpose!

By dfm481

1 min read

Two and a half years ago after a routine surgery and feeling great I woke up one day and hurt. As time went on it became painful and could not sleep due to the amount of pain I was in. This went on for 6 months before I finally went to see my primary physician. He ran all kinds of tests on me and my ANA came back elevated. He referred me to a rheumatologist.
I went to see the rheumatologist and she basically said I was crazy and put me on an anti-inflammatory, needless to say this did nothing.
My misery went on. I gave up doing the things I loved. I made it through each day just to go home and take pain meds for a couple of hours of relief. I was hating life.
I had had enough. I went back to my primary and asked him to refer to someone who would listen to me! I knew I wasn't crazy if someone would just listen to what was going on with me. I then found a rheumatologist, she would listen and told me my tests come back negative, but I still have RA. I have been seeing her for a year. It hasn't been all roses as we are trying to find the right meds but I have some relief.
I had a total hip replacement due to the RA and with such a big joint not being so painful life is getting better. I am looking forward to getting my life back and doing what I use to do.
I know there is a purpose to me having no RA. I don't know what the purpose is yet but I know it will find me. It may be that I become an advocate for pain patients or start a support group. I look forward to what ever it is.
Finally, I am able to live with this chronic disease!

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Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi DFM481! Thank you for sharing a part of your story with us! I am so glad you kept advocating for yourself. I always tell our members that no one knows your body as well as you do, so if you know something is wrong, don't quit speaking up until you get the help you need! Your proactive attitude may have saved you years of additional damage to your joints. I am so sorry your first rheumatologist was not helpful. We discuss a form of RA on this site called seronegative RA. It's when the blood works does not show active RA, but a person is experiencing enough other RA-related symptoms to be diagnosed. You can read more about it here, although I suspect you may already know about this -- <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/seronegative-ra-blood-tests-dont-tell-entire-story' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/seronegative-ra-blood-tests-dont-tell-entire-story/</a>. I know that a fair amount of our members have been diagnosed with this form of RA and it IS definitely RA! I am glad that your hip replacement is allowing you to get back to doing some of the things you love in life. I must say, you have a wonderful attitude about RA and a positive outlook that is inspiring. I think with your fighting spirit, even RA can't hold you back! Thank you again for sharing and have a good day! Best, Erin, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> Team Member.
1. dfm481 Member
 Thank you Erin! I am trying to keep positive for my own quality of life. I have a close friend who also suffers from chronic pain and she is so negative. When I am with her I find myself being drawn into the negative Nancy syndrome and it only makes me hurt worse. With a positive additude it helps me make it through the worst days. I try to be a blessing on others rather than a burden. Some days I just can't, the pain is just to unbearable to be even remotely positive. I never thought I would be here dealing with chronic pain but I am and I am going to try everyday to do it with style and a smile. I am alive and everyday is a gift! DFM481
Richard Faust Community Admin
Thanks so much for sharing your story DFM481. You writing about finding your purpose and learning to live with a chronic condition made me think of this article from one of our contributors on learning to own her RA: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/owning-my-ra' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/owning-my-ra/</a>. You also mention a positive attitude, so thought you might like this article from one of our other contributors, Kelly Mack (full disclosure - I'm her husband), looking at research finding that a positive attitude can actually help with pain: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-relieving-happiness' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-relieving-happiness/</a>. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)