My early RA symptoms and getting a diagnosis

Ms. Carrie Barnes talks about how her #rheumatoid #arthritis (RA) symptoms started and what they were, how she coped, and how she advocated to get her #diagnosis.

[wayneandrews]

Similar story for me, I finally went to urgent care where a doc put me on prednisone which was an ordeal in itself but allowed me to function. More than ten years later I am fortunate to still be living an active, rewarding life in retirement.

[lkw]

I live in the USA. My joint pain started once I turned 50. It started in my feet and hands. I had to ask for a foot xray. They said it showed arthritis. I had to ask for an arthritis panel. My anti ccp was 59, my other labs normal. I waited 6 weeks to see a rheumatologist who only ordered more labs. If you have symptoms, demand more testing. It can happen in USA too. I feel like DRs treat younger or middle aged women differently, as if it is our fault we are in pain.

[chunkchips]

And imagine she works in the medical field and has direct contacts to figure this out and it was this difficult to get diagnosed and treated. Imagine the people with no contacts and or direct connections.

[jlongino]

My maternal great grandmother and grandmother both had this and ended up in a wheelchair by the end of their lives. I’m showing all of the signs and symptoms. Had blood work done several times but my insurance doesn’t pay for me to see a specialist. I’m incapacitated most days.

[rewindchildhood]

The best health care system is in China. I spend 9 years in China and whenever i have any problem i would just go to the hospital and get an appointment and at that time and same day i would see the doctor and do some test or any other procedure. They are great and no wait at all. My sister lives in USA and she has to wait sometimes for weeks and months to get an appointment.

[stinkybuddydog]

OMG ! What a nightmare. I hope that you have found relief from this painful disease by now.

[Zmartever]

I got an appt with rheumatologist within 3 weeks.
Luckily didn’t experience this waiting period

[emilycooper]

I feel like they make it impossible to get a early diagnosis! Especially if your young

[bjohnson]

But what can I do if I can't get treated promptly. I'm in pain and waiting.

[robbieb]

Next time a Canadian brags about free health care...9 months for an appt. I can can an appt same day in the US