ketchup

[ookla]

No, that's not a new bizarre remedy I've discovered... just being silly with my subject line since I haven't posted in awhile and wanted to get caught up. Anyway, I think I left off at being sent for new blood work and a brain/neck MRI. Well, the blood work revealed an RF value of 23 (for the test, a "normal" result would have been lower than 15) and the MRI revealed some ostephytes in my neck. Those results combined with the fact that my pain is there when I wake up in the morning (and the fact that my pain didn't respond to any of the meds) has convinced the neurologist that I don't have RLS and has referred me to a rheumatologist. And of course they didn't have anything available until October. So guess it's back to square one, then another round of testing. Hope you all are feeling better today than you were yesterday.

[Hidden]

Love the ketchup title, glad to have you catch up on what has been happening to you. It sounds like some progress for you of sorts. Altho its all gobbley gooch to me.

[ookla in reply to Hidden]

I hope it's progress. I'm still expecting to get there, be told there's nothing they can do, and get sent somewhere else. But to be honest, I can't help being a little excited... to know what's wrong and have options to manage it?! Just wish the appointment wasn't so far away.

[Hidden]

So you do have RA...there are 3 of us now. It's not all bad. Go to

rawarrior.com and you will get a ton of help to deal with it.

Treatments came a long, long way. =)

As far as the spiky bone spurs that are upsetting the joints, what do

they plan on doing? Sounds dreadful...painful.

Relax and wait to tie up all of the loose ends with the doctors. I sure hope

that you don't have RLS at all but if you do, there are 2 or 3 people on

here that are in the same boat. My Rheumy was the first person to put

a name to this leg problem in my entire life. They are super smart about

RLS and RA and Lupas...other conditions. You are lucky to find answers.

Keep in touch.

[ookla in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the link, I will definitely check it out when I get a chance. As for having RA, still not sure. My first rheumatologist appointment is next month. I guess they'll tell me whether or not I have it. I tried to visit a few RA message boards, but they were mostly unresponsive. Even if I do have RA, and not RLS, I'd much rather stay here - this is hands down the best support group on the internet. I'll let you know how things go with the rheumy next month. I've grown a bit cynical now, though, and kind of expect him to shrug, say it's not RA, and send me back to square one with some other doctor.