[mammaw]

in reply to: Joint Pain??? #1074566

Try going to a Rheumatologist. My GP didn’t think I should go, but the Rheumatologist started treating me right away with Plaquenil and Mobic for the pain. I have what is called serum-negative RA. It doesn’t show on the tests, but it’s real. The insurance even have a code, name, and they pay. I did not have any issues prior to Graves.

Having numerous autoimmune diseases after Graves is not abnormal. It seems like no one likes to talk about it much on this site. But, I think it would be better to discuss the possibilities and probabilitites of this occuring, instead of not associating these new problems with the disease, Graves, that may have been the source of their beginnings. Graves causes enough emotional upheaval and we deal with doctors, family, and friends not believing there is anything wrong with us. Let’s discuss the broader spectrum of problems and association possibly to Graves.

[mammaw]

in reply to: finding it hard to cope #1074681

Welcome to the site. I’m so sorry about your problems at such an early age. The good thing is that they will be able to help you while you are young, which should make it quicker for you to heal, and you will have a better life ahead of you.

I’m not sure what the statistics are out there for how many people actually come down with this disease, but, just from coming here for the last 3 years, I know that a lot of people are misdiagnosed. You would think that more doctors would be able to catch this earlier. I don’t think the blood tests are that expensive. It should just be routine every year at your physical.

You will get better over time, a long time. Just be patient and don’t stress out. Stress is very bad for you. It delays the healing process. My daughter started showing signs of thyroid problems when she was 28. I hope she stays on top of it. It seems to run in the family.

[mammaw]

in reply to: Graves and Stomach Issues? #1074900

Sheila,

The most important thing I have to say to you is "It’s not in your head!" No matter what the doctor’s or your family and friends think.

I am also one of the "lucky" ones to have more than one autoimmune disease. When they can’t find a definitive answer with test results it becomes "psychological" to the doctors. The latest GP told me it is in my head after I had an episode with my heart and offered me an antidepressant, AFTER he had told me to up my Toprol for A-fib. Most GP’s just don’t have the answers. My Rheumatologist, who is the only one that believes anything is wrong with me, has treated me for RA from what she could see, not from test results. She did have to take me off NSAID’s because it was causing so much stomach upset. So, I don’t take anything for pain now. I’m not about to take the narcotics prescribed. I’m not going there.

I don’t like to be a downer, but I am a realist. It’s the only way to live with multiple autoimmune diseases. You truly have to live one moment at a time. My neighbor was just diagnosed with "schlederma", which is a bad one. I feel blessed with my problems.

Let God be your comforter,

Mammaw

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