Ok, I need to ask those of you who know if I am being silly or not. I am trying to get up the courage to ask my doctor questions on what is going on with me. I have gone to a specialist in another city, and he has been sending my family doctor the consultations and what he thinks.
I have had a type of arthritis for a long long time now. Since I was in my teens, and have seen arthritis specialists all these years, but I still don't know what it is that I have. I have had bad pains in my knees, wrists, ankles, and elbows. TMJ, which I saw another specialist for (really nice doctor too. Really great with kids as I was an early teen when it all started). My sed rate has been high, never below 35, as high as 50. My CRP has been high... the highest I saw was 20. I have always had a positive ANA (speckled between 1:140 and 1:180). I have been tested several times through the years for my thyroid, and it always came back alright.
Two years ago, I had a major episode where my ankles, wrists, elbows and knees all flared up one night. I had gone to bed fine, but woke up all swollen and unable to move. I had to have help getting dressed, and doing everything. This lasted for around three weeks. After, I was tested again and my tsh showed that I was now hypothyroid. I also have iron deficiency now.
My question to everyone is should I be concerned about this? I had been given celebrex a couple of years ago. The last time I saw a specialist for this was a year and a half - when I left I was not told to make another appointment. So that is that? I am popping Celebrex like there is no tomorrow, and I still can't sleep at night because I am in pain. I feel so tired all the time. Yes, I am going back to school and working full time, but I know what i can handle. Some days just sitting in my chair at school or here at the computer... if I slump any lower, I will fall off my chair! It just seems like I have no energy, even to sit up!
I am shy when it comes to doctors. Do I have the right to ask next week what the specialist has said about me? I want to ask questions, but I don't know where to start. I guess I am scared I sound stupid or that I am looking for something wrong with me. I am just so tired of being tired, but I want to know if what I said in this post suggests that there is something going on?? Sorry this is so long. :blush:
I have had a type of arthritis for a long long time now. Since I was in my teens, and have seen arthritis specialists all these years, but I still don't know what it is that I have. I have had bad pains in my knees, wrists, ankles, and elbows. TMJ, which I saw another specialist for (really nice doctor too. Really great with kids as I was an early teen when it all started). My sed rate has been high, never below 35, as high as 50. My CRP has been high... the highest I saw was 20. I have always had a positive ANA (speckled between 1:140 and 1:180). I have been tested several times through the years for my thyroid, and it always came back alright.
Two years ago, I had a major episode where my ankles, wrists, elbows and knees all flared up one night. I had gone to bed fine, but woke up all swollen and unable to move. I had to have help getting dressed, and doing everything. This lasted for around three weeks. After, I was tested again and my tsh showed that I was now hypothyroid. I also have iron deficiency now.
My question to everyone is should I be concerned about this? I had been given celebrex a couple of years ago. The last time I saw a specialist for this was a year and a half - when I left I was not told to make another appointment. So that is that? I am popping Celebrex like there is no tomorrow, and I still can't sleep at night because I am in pain. I feel so tired all the time. Yes, I am going back to school and working full time, but I know what i can handle. Some days just sitting in my chair at school or here at the computer... if I slump any lower, I will fall off my chair! It just seems like I have no energy, even to sit up!
I am shy when it comes to doctors. Do I have the right to ask next week what the specialist has said about me? I want to ask questions, but I don't know where to start. I guess I am scared I sound stupid or that I am looking for something wrong with me. I am just so tired of being tired, but I want to know if what I said in this post suggests that there is something going on?? Sorry this is so long. :blush: