Seeing the Rheumatologist

[franb]

Hello there.

Well after all my problems with getting treatment etc., I got an appointment with the rheumy early this morning (this happened after I sent a letter saying how bad I was feeling). Anyway he has said that all the tests he did for sjogrens have come back negative and he now feels certain that it is fibro. (Hope I can still come to this site. I know others here have fibro aswell as lupus and everyone is so helpful here). He has started me on some new medication.

My other problem with the bone spur on my thumb is going to need an operation. I will be glad to be able to move my right hand again. Also he is going to inject my shoulder at the next appointment as I have trouble with my arm.

One other thing he did mention was that my potassium level is high at 5.2 which he did not seem too concerned with, however, I looked up this on the labtest site and it said it could affect muscles (hyperkalaemia) making them weak. I have said to the rheumy that my muscles are weaker on the right side to the left and I can actually see the difference in definition in the mirror. I don't know whether I should be worried by this.

Anyway I am now alot happier about the rheumy and his treatment.


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franb.

[helloos]

Hi FRan.

I am glad that things are looking up for you. Of course, still come to this site. Also, I want to mention to still keep tract of your symptoms and take any pics of anything odd that arises. As you have read, sometimes things don't show up right away in the blood work, so just still keep tract of things, in case something in the future happens.

Also, I hope the meds work for you. Hopefully th surgery on your hand goes well, and yes, you have movement back.

Your rhemo seems like he is addressing your issues, mention that potassium level to him the next time and what you see in the mirror.

Hope all goes well, and glad that things worked out good for you.

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[halfpintfl]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hi franb, lupus or not, you will always be welcome here at this site.
I remember talking to you about your thumb, I 'm happy that the dr. has made a decision
to take it off, and that you are pleased with it. I do hope that you heal fast. You will
have to find someone to contact us and let us know that it went alright.. And, yes, a whole lot of us here have fibro with the lupus, and I am one of them. I have had fibro for almost 20 yrs, and it does no and will not go away, but you can learn to live with it, and it can be managed. How much did he explaine to you and what meds did he start you on. I would be very glad to answer any questions you have about fibro, cuz
there is a lot to know, and it is an invisable disease. Please feel free to PM me for anything on this , I would
be glad to help. Meanwhile, start learning how to pace yourself, you have to.




Be well and keep posting. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif

[Lily]

Hi Fran,

I'm glad you were able to see the Rheumy and discuss things and also glad he's started you on meds for your Fibro. I hope they work well and quickly for you style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

He's probably not worried about the potassium level because on average the normal reading for an adult is up to around 5, so you are just over that, we as individuals will always vary a little. Still he's keeping an eye on it and it sounds like he's going to continue to do that which is really good.

What med has he started you on for Fibro?

Of course you can still come here! and as others have said do monitor and document any further developments with your health.

love
Lily

[raggedyann1]

Fran,

Of course you are welcome to hang around with us lupies. I also have fibro, fortunately it is mostly under control with the neurontin and pamelor that I take for it.

Here is a good, large fibro site that you will probably want to visit also.
http://www.fibrohugs.com/

Take care,
Karen

[franb]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif so very much to Paula, Halfpint, Lilly and Karen.

Good advice on taking photos of changes I will definately do that. The rheumy did explain fibro in great detail which was really helpful. One of the things he said is do not go mad on the days you are feeling well you will pay for it with three or four bad days if you do. He is so right there I do tend to go mad and try and get everything done on the days I feel ok. I will just have to try and pace myself now. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif The other thing the rhuemy said is that even though I have been diagnosed as having fm, it does not mean that he should take all my problems as being part of fm. Which he is doing by sorting out my hand etc. This I found very reassuring. He is also sorting an ultrasound scan of my parotid gland.

The new medication he has put me on is Dosulepin Capsules 25mg. I only started them last night but I do think I slept better. It is early days but keeping everything crossed. I am still on lots of pain meds eg. co-codamol, fentynal patches, and etodolac sr (nsaids).

I went to the site fibrohugs and read letter to normals and it made me cry (in a good way). It is so true. I have printed it so that I can give it to people who are trying to understand what this disease means to a person and what it does to your life.

franb.

I'll be back.