I have been getting awful pain in my upper back, starting about a month ago. I just woke up one morning and it was stiff as a board and sore. Being that this was a couple days before Christmas I didn't want to deal with making an appointment or trying to fit in getting to the doctor's office so I put it off, telling myself it was probably just how I slept or really really sore muscles. It took a few days but I finally healed and put it out of my mind. A week or so later, same damn thing! This time it didn't last for quite as long and I did my best to ignore it. Since then I have had the same pain a couple more times, lasting for a few days each time.
Today I couldn't get out of bed. Well I guess I could, but it felt like my back was breaking. Michael went to work with the promise of coming home soon to take me to the doctor. I argued (of course) and tried to convince him and myself that I would be fine and just needed to rest a little before going to work (disregarding the fact I couldn't turn my head to drive myself). He didn't buy it so after completing his pressing tasks he came home and drove me to the walk-in clinic.
After checking my range of motion and a series of open-ended questions, the doctor said "You know, it really sounds rheumatoidy." Yes, she said rheumatoidy. (I had to suppress my giggles.) Anyhoo, she called over to the rheumatology office to see if my rheum doc wanted anything else done. She came back with instructions to up the prednisone and said my rheumy wanted to see me within two weeks. (Don't worry, I made an appointment for Tuesday. No more trying to ignore this.)
So the verdict is what? I guess the RA is now causing inflammation of my thoracic spine. Or perhaps I just strained it incredibly and it hasn't healed and is mimicking rheumatoid disease symptoms. If it is the RA... I feel pretty cheated. I thought I has years before I had to worry about crippling pain like this. I thought... well, guess I thought wrong. Bummer.
Hi. I came over to meet you from Pixiecd's blog. My heart goes out to you to have RA at such a young age. My daughter was diagnosed with it when she was about 23. She's doing quite well, but is on such heavy duty drugs. Keep the faith. We'll hope for a cure one day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts. Just as you feel for me, I feel for your daughter. Here's to hoping, praying and striving for more awareness and hopefully, one day, a cure :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by!