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Hi, I just want a fresh opinion on a problem my ...

Sent to Health Experts September 18 2006 at 11:18 AM
   

Hi, I just want a fresh opinion on a problem my husband and I have. My husband was diagnosed with RA about 3 months ago. However, I have just started coming down with the same symptoms as he other than my feet and ankles aren't like his were. I have muscle stiffness and swelling in my hands, shoulders and upper back. He had the same other than his ankles and feet were bad also. He is on prednisone and also humira shots. Now if he misses 1 dose of his prednisone he hits rock bottom again. He was only supposed to be on it for 3 months. He was supposed to start decreasing his dosage and everytime they do that he gets bad again. I was wondering is there some kind of infection we should ask to be checked for since we both seem to have the same problem? He was checked 3 times for lymes disease which we were told could be transferred. Came back neg. every time

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 37

Already Tried:
local dr.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $30
Info Request
September 18 2006 at 11:51 AM (33 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
Hi

What tests have you had to date.

Is your husband seropositive for RA?

AI
Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
Reply
September 18 2006 at 12:02 PM (11 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: I personally haven't had any tests done yet. The reason is that as soon as they laid eyes on my hubby they insisted he had RA. So they ran blood tests for ra, lymes disease, and 3 others that I am not sure what they were. I just don't want to go in and them immediately say ra. I don't know what tests I need to ask for, but I feel that this problem could be transmitted from person to person. They sent my hubby to specialist here and they too ran blood work and came back with ra. I am not saying he doesn't have it but maybe there is something more.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 18 2006 at 12:11 PM (8 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi

If he's seen a specialist and has been diagnosed as RA then it's a reasonable conclusion to draw that he is suffering from that condition.

If you do indeed share a common illness then I'd expect your bloods to be similar if not identical.

Clues to an infective cause would be apparent in a CBC with an elevated White cell count.

AI
Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
Reply
September 18 2006 at 12:21 PM (10 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to Alexander Irvine's Post: So what exactly should I ask for as far as testing on me and should I try to see the same dr. that he goes to or find someone else so there are no preconceived opinions?
Thank you!
Tammie
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 18 2006 at 12:25 PM (3 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hi

I think you need to see a Dr who has an open mind - explain your symptoms , your husbands and your understandble anxiety regarding an infective cause - and let the Dr figure it out - that's what he/she is paid to do.

Certainly certain viral infections ( hep B, parvovvirus,rubella) can cause arthritis.

Hope this helps.

AI

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Scottish DOC -- Doctor (MD) -- 97% Positive Feedback on 1126 Health Accepts
MBchB (commended),FRCA, MRCGP(with merit) I qualified in 1990 and work full-time in family medicine.
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