My "helper" is down...!

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sbwertz

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Has Merissa been tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis? There are really no definitive tests for RA, so it often goes undiagnosed. Usually there is an elevated sedimentation rate (sed rate) and often an elevated rheumatoid factor on a blood test, but often these two indicators are not present. If it IS RA, there are wonderful new treatments for it. When I was first diagnosed, I was like Merissa. My hands were so swollen that I could not even tie my shoes. All my joints were sore. Now, because of the new meds for R A I have been in remission for ten years. I have almost no symptoms, and those I do have are primarily osteoarthritis, not RA.

You might take her to a rheumatologist for testing. They wil do an MRI of her hands to see if there is joint damage. That is really the only way to be positive it is RA.
 
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robutacion

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Has Merissa been tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis? There are really no definitive tests for RA, so it often goes undiagnosed. Usually there is an elevated sedimentation rate (sed rate) and often an elevated rheumatoid factor on a blood test, but often these two indicators are not present. If it IS RA, there are wonderful new treatments for it. When I was first diagnosed, I was like Merissa. My hands were so swollen that I could not even tie my shoes. All my joints were sore. Now, because of the new meds for R A I have been in remission for ten years. I have almost no symptoms, and those I do have are primarily osteoarthritis, not RA.

You might take her to a rheumatologist for testing. They wil do an MRI of her hands to see if there is joint damage. That is really the only way to be positive it is RA.

Hi Sharon,

We believe that, the last lot of tests that included an MRI to her hands and a large number of blood tubes removed for a large number of tests the doctor requested, the doctor visit is tomorrow Wednesday the 9/7 so, we hope that the test will gives some answers.

There are 3 distinct areas where Merissa has developed some problem from, one is the spine, which started as scoliosis and in recent years became narrowing of the spinal canal and 2 discs gone with some nerve pinching as a result.

The second area is her hip and her right knee that stops functioning every so often and more recently, the problem with her swollen and lumpy hands, with not strenght and intense pain. The hands get white and cold and other times get boiling hot...!

There is a good possibility that, she got what you said, and possibly more, lets see what the doctors say tomorrow...!

Thank you for your concern and advice...!:)

Cheers
George
 

Gofer

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George,

Merissa is a strong woman who has a kind and gentle heart. Give her all the love and support you can. Wih all the prayers and well wishes for you both from around the world you both just have to remain positive and you will get thru this. A persons true character is revealed in times of adversity and I have no doubt that you will both shine. Take care of each other and get better.

Bruce
 

robutacion

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Hi people,

Thank you for all the continues well wishes and thoughts, we both are having a thought run at the moment with our health but things will get better or at least a little more bearable...!

We saw our doctor last Wednesday 9/7 and we both had some news/results from tests done recently and as far as Merissa goes, the doctor is convinced that she is suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, something that Sharon was correct about and I had my suspicions from day one, and always claimed that, the right left calf muscle, the right knee and more recently her hands condition, had nothing to do with her damaged spine, it had to be something else and so , its proven to be...!

The doctor is trying to make contact with a rheumatologist and attempt to get Merissa in before the 9 months of waiting time on the public service system, I may have to come up with some extra money to get this appointment through the private system, that will cost a bunch, but I don't care, I want Merissa to get this condition well under control before more damage is done...!

Our doctor has already gave her some strong anti-inflammatory, a lot stronger than the Brufen we both have been on for a long time but, any more specialised medication/treatment can only be expected to be subscribed by the rheumatologist.

While I'm happy to see Merissa's situation to take a different and better direction than until now, I'm going on the knife on the last day of this month, this is a test will once and for all, determine which of my Adrenal glands got the tumor that has been causing my blood pressure to become uncontrollable since the beginning of last years 2013.

Lots of all kinds of tests before they worked out that was an Adrenal gland dysfunction, blood pressures of average 210-120 for far too long, the "ticker" is just going too damn fast, with the common side effects of Hypertension condition, have not been easy.

Recent CT scans and more blood tests failed to identify which Adrenal gland is paying up (left or right) and because these glands seat/are attached above each kidney, they have no option that make an incision in my groin into the main blood artery, insert an instrument that will follow the vein right to the Adrenal gland large vein connection and removed some blood directly from each gland, for testing. This is going to be a 1 day thing, I can drive home sometime after 4:00pm.

If the problem is only on one Adrenal gland, I will have to have it completely removed, if it happens that both are affected, they can not remove both, like the kidneys, we can live with only one but not without the 2 so, I may have to be submitted to a extreme treatment with drugs to minimise the affect they are having on my blood pressure and other things.

The 2013 was not a very kind year for us, and 2014 is turning up to be even less kind but, things will get better, particularly in pain levels, so we hope...!

When we don't feel that well, is always that assumption that we are the only ones, huh...??? nothing could be further from the truth, I don't have to look very far to see that, there is a big bunch of people out there, a lot worse than us, it may not be of any consolation but certainly puts things in perspective, if you want to take notice, and I do...!

So, this is all we can say for the moment, tomorrow is another day and we will be here to live it the best way we can, isn't that what everyone else tries to do...???:)

Cheers
George
 

southernclay

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Hate to hear that George...at the same time glad you have a starting point to know which direction to go.

FWIW we have a very close friend with RA, she handles most of her issues with diet as Sharon mentioned. Totally gluten free, fermented fish oil and a few other regimens keeps her good to go mostly.

We'll continue to pray for y'all in the meantime thanks for updating us, if there's anything needed let us know!
 

Bob Wemm

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Hey George,
Thanks for the update, our prayers are with you both, as are many others.
Like you say there are plenty of people out there who are worse off, but that is absolutely no consolation to both of you.
Stay as well as you can and be careful. I pray that you only have one problem and that Merissa gets to see her Dermatologist very soon.
Good luck,
Bob and Betty.
 

tim self

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George, I just read this thread completely after reading the Mr. Anonymous thread. I have experienced many of the same problems your wife has and can feel her pain. Having experienced it and having a wife with RA, she must be in incredible pain even with the Oxy she takes. I pray for her relief and Doctors who know how to heal her and give her an enjoyable life again.
 

robutacion

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HI peoples,

Just a quite update on Merissa...!

Was a week tomorrow (Wednesday 9-7) that the doctor had the first indication that Merissa was suffering of RA, unable to prescribe ant specialised medication, he decided to upgrade for Merissa, the anti-inflammatory Bruffen that we both have been taken for years with a obviously much strong one and while we were a little sceptical with its effectiveness, I can saw that, within 24 hours, Merissa was starting a little less pain from her hands the the swollen got slightly less, a most welcome improvement even if small from the 2 months of agony.

That new medication, until we can find a Rheumatologist in the private system that will be available to see Merissa, is the only thing that is helping her a little but far from being enough or the solution to the problem, unfortunately...!

Since Mr. Anonymous intervention, our doctor was advised by me on Monday that, I want the best specialist to see Merissa, regardless of how much will cost and his response was pretty much what I was expected and know is a reality and that is, even with money, that doesn't always mean a thing if the best specialists are all booked in, in the short term, which can mean a few days to a couple of weeks, against the 9 months waiting list, in the public sector...!

I know, our GP will look everywhere to find the best specialist to see Merissa ASAP, that will guide her through her treatment and recovery so, we are waiting for that call...!

I/we are just so pleased that, the stronger anti-inflammatory is alleviating the pain, allowing Merissa to also sleep a little better...!

Lets see what happens from here...!:wink::biggrin:

Thank you for the continued well wishes and support...!


PS: Hey Bob, a Dermatologist may be also needed for later but for now, the Rheumatologist, will be of better use to Merissa...! :)

Cheers
George & Merissa
 
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sbwertz

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There are really effective drugs out there now for the treatment of RA. It may take several months of testing to find the right combination to help her, but RA isn't the crippling disease it was even twenty years ago. I've been in remission for ten years now (diagnosed in July of 2004 and fully under control by Christmas that year. They have to start the meds with small doses and work it up a little at a time. That is why it took six months to get my RA fully under control.)

I have to have an intravenous infusion once every six weeks, and give myself a methotrexate shot every week. But I am able to do most everything I need to. My only arthritic pain comes from plain old garden variety wear and tear osteoarthritis...Left knee from fifty years of mounting a horse!

Sharon
 
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robutacion

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Well, our doctor wanted to see Merissa one week from when he prescribed the stronger inflammatory to replace the Brufen so, we saw him yesterday (16-7) and he was please to know there has been a slight improvement in the pain and mobility on her hands but little difference on her knee.

The doctor confirmed that he locked in an appointment with the best specialist that visits this area, for 4 weeks from now, these specialists are full booked well in advance, even in the private system, he told also also that, Merissa is first priority on a cancellation possibility so, we/she can get called at any time...!

Before we left the medical clinic, we got our annual flue vaccines, they are not bullet proof but, we tend to get the mild symptoms but never the full attack, that is good enough for us...!

On my procedure marked for the 31 July,. there were some changes from a phone call In received this afternoon advising that my medical procedure was postponed for another 2 weeks from the advised day so, it is set for the 14 August, lets hope they don't change it again on me...!

We going back to our doctor again next Wednesday so, we hope that he will have some better new for us, will see...!

Cheers
George
 

Gofer

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Little bit of good news, now the road to recovery is underway for Merissa. Hopefully your delay is the last one and you can take care of your problem soon too.

Bruce
 

sbwertz

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A few tips from my rheumatologist while you are waiting for the appointment.

Avoid products that stimulate the immune system, such as AirBorne, etc. The immune system is the enemy...don't support it.

Treat any infections immediately...infections stimulate the immune system, and make your joints flare.

Try to avoid coming in contact with large groups of people where you might be exposed to a virus. When you get a cold, it stimulates the immune system and makes your joints worse.

Cold weather makes the pain worse. Try to stay indoors. (Even getting food out of the freezer made my hands throb.)

Warm baths or showers just before bed helped me get some sleep before I got my RA under control.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 

robutacion

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How is Merissa doing, George? I think of her often. Hope you have found a rheumatologist.

Sharon

Not very good Sharon, yesterday she started to get "attacked" on her feet and she hardly can stand up, it just hurts too damn much.

We went to the our doctor again yesterday, and nothing has changed, either for her or me however, I had to put the foot down and request more information about this specialist appointment that our doctor made. We were never told the name of the specialists, where to go to see him, what day and what time so, I was mad and they felt it.

I manage to get the name, the day (26 August) and a phone number so today, I rung the specialist office, and got the location to go to, and the time (11:00am). I asked why I was told by the doctor that the appointment was in 4 weeks, this was over 2 weeks ago, and now we have another 3 weeks of waiting and that got me really upset.

I explained the reason of the appointment and the urgency of it, they knew nothing about it so, and after attempting a "bribe" with the receptionist/secretary, that didn't work however, she promised to send a text to the specialist, explaining the situation and see if if can squeeze Merissa in, ASAP.

I was confirmed that, Merissa was in fact put on a cancellation list but, the chances are very minimum, these appointments are hard to get so, people just don't give up their appointments. As for my bribe, I'm yet to find out if it worked for the specialist, I told the secretary to make him aware that I will pay double ($500 x 2) if he see Merissa within 1 week. Desperate situations require desperate measures, and that is that, thanks to Mr. Anonymous...!

Cheers
George
 

BJohn

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George, I have Marissa in my prayers. This may sound girlish. But I love that you call her your BRIDE. That is what I call my wife of almost 40 years. She will always be that young girl that I saw walking down that isle. When she if hurting well dang so am I. May God bless both of you.
 

sbwertz

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George, can you get these down under?

Amazon.com: ThermaCare Air-Activated Neck, Shoulder and Wrist HeatWraps, Powerful Pain Relief Plus Deep Tissue Relaxation - NEW shape for improved fit - 9 HeatWraps: Health & Personal Care

Since it is wintertime there, they might give her some relief. They come in all different shapes for different parts of the body and they stay warm for 8-12 hours. The ones for the hands are especially soothing, and it should ease the pain in her feet. Flares are really the pits.

Can your GP prescribe a six-day pack of prednisone to tide her over until her appointment? It is a dose pack where you take six pills the first day, five the second, etc. for six days. It usually gives a couple of weeks of relief, and most doctors can prescribe it.

MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack (methylprednisolone oral) medical facts from Drugs.com

Good luck.
 

BJohn

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Very good idea Sharon, My bride uses low does of Prednisone when we go on vacation especialy when hiking and stuff. It works wonders.
 

robutacion

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George, can you get these down under?

Amazon.com: ThermaCare Air-Activated Neck, Shoulder and Wrist HeatWraps, Powerful Pain Relief Plus Deep Tissue Relaxation - NEW shape for improved fit - 9 HeatWraps: Health & Personal Care

Since it is wintertime there, they might give her some relief. They come in all different shapes for different parts of the body and they stay warm for 8-12 hours. The ones for the hands are especially soothing, and it should ease the pain in her feet. Flares are really the pits.

Can your GP prescribe a six-day pack of prednisone to tide her over until her appointment? It is a dose pack where you take six pills the first day, five the second, etc. for six days. It usually gives a couple of weeks of relief, and most doctors can prescribe it.

MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack (methylprednisolone oral) medical facts from Drugs.com

Good luck.


Thanks everyone for you support and thoughts, we are most moved as a result, thank you...!

Merissa is using this, to support her right knee, the first thing that went on her, I will look into Thermacare products and I will discuss the methylprednisolone issue with the doctor first thing Monday morning.

I'm actually considering to confirm the days this specialist sees patients, and drive myself and Merissa to his "clinic" first thing in the morning and make sure he is aware Merissa is there and we won't leave the place until he see her. He may waste a full day and cause some troubles for ourselves but, I will be damn if I'm going to allow Merissa to get worse every day and I sit here, just waiting, that ain't going to happen.

I tend to **** people off quite easy and frequently, for whatever the reason but, this is just no right, and I have to do something about it, period...!

Lets see what will happen, next...!

Cheers
George
 

mark james

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Hi Friend!

I second the methylprednisone!

I'll also suggest a "soft touch" with the Doctor... You may truely need that Dr! so be careful and not "burn your bridges."

I appreciate the "need to have the consul"t, but don't shoot yourself in the foot. If you're options for Dr's are limited, don't alienate what you need.

I know this is an unwelcome recommendation... But work "WITH THE SYSTEM", you will need it!.

Best Regards... Mark
 

sbwertz

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If you can get her on the prednisone, it will help a lot. It really makes a difference. For example, I was having a flare because I had to go off my meds for a medical procedure, so the Dr gave me a dose pak to tide me over until my meds kicked in again. I was climbing up a little bank and fell and twisted my ankle under me. It really hurt at the time, but in a few hours, I was fine. In two weeks, when the prednisone wore off, my ankle ballooned up and I was on crutches for a week!
 

danom

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Thinking of you both.
Hoping for one of the miracles of modern medicine, that can bring some relief of the pain and suffering.
Much too young to have to deal with this.
Wishing a speedy recovery.
danom
 

robutacion

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Any luck with the prednisone?

Hi Sharon,

On Monday we were on our way to see the doctor and then the specialist clinic, actually we passed the doctor and decided to go first to try to find where the specialist clinic was, drop some paperwork we receive on Friday in preparation for Merissa appointment and try to have a quick word with the specialist but, we never made it, as our old girl (25 years old Ford Falcon wagon) died on us, in a very cold and rainy day and in the middle of nowhere.

I waited 5 hours to get "rescued" by our auto-mechanic friend and he took us home after dropping the "old girl" and the tow truck at his place, so we were without a vehicle until last night, as he got us another vehicle from one of his car salesman mates, a 1999 Holden Commodore V6 Wagon, that all what the budget did allow.

Today I have a zillion of things to do as I have to be in Hospital by 10:00am to get this vein test, where they will insert an instrument on my groin main artery and travel its way to each of my Adrenal glands for a blood sample and a biopsy, to figure out which one (left or right) has the tumor, as any other CT scans and tests, failed to identify so, I will be driving myself to the Hospital and then drive myself home after they discharge me, about 4:00pm or so...!

Merissa is in no condition to be there in the car with the dogs for all those hours and then drive me home so, she stays home safe and I go and get myself tested, it should be OK, I have no other choice, anyway...!

So, and as you can see, we are certainly going through a wave of bad luck and problems but, we have had some amazing support and help from some very special person so, we are very lucky indeed.

As much as I would like to see the doctor today and ask about these drug you suggested, our appointment was for Monday, we was fully booked today and tomorrow so, an appointment was made for Thursday, this was the best I could do, in these circumstances...!

Cheers
George
 
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David Keller

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Best wishes to you and your better half... Hopefully the docs can figure out a solution that gets Merissa back up and running.
 
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