Going to the Dr. today for testing

[happybird]

Strongly suspect I’ve got Lyme, but it may be RA. Been putting it off because I hate going to the doctor. Rationalizing it away as “I’m getting old, just need to adjust,” and “it’s only pre-menopause symptoms, I just have to adjust.”

And now I’ve hit the wall. The random joint swelling, pain, migraines, and constant exhaustion have become too much to ignore.

Getting more nervous the closer I get to the 3:30 appointment time. Meeting my Mom for lunch at 1:00, so that will help a lot.

Thanks for listening.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Hope the visit goes well and you get some answers and treatment.

[happybird]

3. Thank you. :)

[Walleye]

2. Good luck. I hope it's something easily treated. It's so nerve-racking going to the doctor

[happybird]

4. Thank you

Sounds weird to say, but hoping it’s Lyme. My Aunt has RA and has had a hell of a time dealing with it.

[blueinredohio]

5. If you're pre menopause you're far from old.

But good luck and take care.

[happybird]

6. That's what my boss pointed out

Being this sore and swollen, limping around on the bad days that I can actually leave bed, isn’t normal for someone my age (48). I’ve been very rough on my body but not like a professional athlete or someone who has worked years of hard, manual labor. Something isn’t right.

[pandr32]

18. Trust your instincts

Hormones are not your issue. Hopefully you have a doctor who takes you seriously and will chase this down.
Best to you.

[blueinredohio]

25. You're right!

Something isn't right. Get it checked out and keep us informed. Your symptoms and the diagnosis may help someone else.

[Peregrine Took]

7. I 100% hate to go, also. Gotta be really miserable to make that appointment

I'll be thinking of you at 3:30 and will send good thoughts your way.

I have a surveillance colonoscopy scheduled in June and 'am already dreading it!!

[happybird]

9. Mine was partially motivated by doing my taxes, lol

I owe this year (grrr) for taking the tax credit on my marketplace insurance plan. Figured I’ve got to pay for this insurance that I have never even used... might as well go in. Ugh. Plus, I’m tired of feeling like crap all the time.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

[SheltieLover]

8. Tell doc you want lyme test sent to Igenex in CA.

I dealt with the lyme nightmare 20 yrs ago, the deepest, darkest rabbit hole imaginable.

Yet, we cured it.

Lyme should be a clinical dx, but all too many docs require a western blot which specifically excludes bands most common.

It is also a very complex disease, frequently present with various coinfections and, as such, needs experienced docs to look at specimens.

Btw, last I heard, igenex does not accept insurance. (No interest in igenex, other than informing you of the only honest place I know of to send testing. Again, last I heard Mayos has never confirmed a lyme dx.)

Best of luck on your appt.

[happybird]

11. Thank you!

I will definitely tell him that- wrote the name down in the notebook I’m taking.

The variety of symptoms I’m having are so odd, especially in the way they come and go.

[SheltieLover]

13. Docs & hospitals are contracted with labs, so if s/he won't send there

Have her or him write an order for the test.

The sample might need to be processed differently than what they normally do.

Best to peruse their website & maybe give Igenex a call to ask about the procedure. You might need to order a specific test kit directly from them.

They are very nice & VERY knowledgeable about lyme & coinfections.

https://igenex.com/

[gab13by13]

20. I agree with SheltiLover about diagnosing Lymes,

Have no idea where you live but a reputable Lyme's expert is Dr. Joseph Joseph (no I didn't stutter) in Hermitage, Pa. He is fantastic for treating Lyme's, very hard to get to see.

Also, if it is Lyme's it matters when you were bitten. My wife got Lyme's and she had the bullseye rash on her arm.

[SheltieLover]

27. Quite telling you cannot find a lyme doc on google

At least, not in most states.

Very very deep, dark rabbit hole.

I hope your wife is cured.

[Duppers]

16. Wow! Good info.

Sorry you had to go through that.

Folks would be surprised to find out how difficult getting diagnosed with some diseases really is. There are now software programs to help but few physicians use them, I think.

[SheltieLover]

26. It is poligical. In 2020, nearly 100 MDs had licenses revoked, just for dxing lyme.

Very deep, dark, ugly rabbit hole.

[Duppers]

28. Shouldn't be shocked but I am.

Thanks, my friend....for everything.

[SheltieLover]

29. Story used to be up at faim.org

Lyme goes back to operation paperclip.

[Duppers]

31. Had to look up "Operation Paperclip"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paperclip#:~:text=Operation%20Paperclip%20was%20a%20secret,Europe%2C%20between%201945%20and%201959.

Wow! Thanks again, SL!

[happybird]

34. Saw the results from the Igenex Immnoblot today

It’s definitely Lyme.
Tested positive on 9 bands in the igG section and 2 bands in the igM section.
Looks like I’ve had it for quite some time (according to my research). Still waiting for the doc to call and discuss, saw the test results on my online patient portal thing.

He started me on doxycycline late last week when the ELISA came back positive.

[SheltieLover]

35. I am so glad you have a great doc!

Sorry about your dx, but at least you have a target to overcome!

[gademocrat7]

10. Wishing you well.

Take care.

[happybird]

12. Thank you.

[Delmette2.0]

14. I know the feeling.

I have been there done that. It is always good to know what is going on or to put a name to the problem. My weird stomach pains and other digestive problems was colon cancer. A quick surgery with a very caring surgeon and follow ups, problem solved.

Be prepared to ask questions when you get the results. Take someone with you or ask to record the visit. You should also get a printed copy of the results for all the tests.

[appalachiablue]

15. All the best happybird and let us know how it goes when

you feel like it.

[dem4decades]

17. Holy shit, I'm in the Dr's office right now wondering the same thing.

Waiting to get called in. At least the Lyme/ RA worries.

[happybird]

32. How are you doing?

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner, it’s been a crazy week.

[dem4decades]

33. Thanks for asking. My Dr appointment was a bit of a bust, it was for my GP to go over a blood

test that was just a cholesterol check, but I had also blood drawn by a hematologist and had that sent to her too. I was hoping to go over all of it with her, turns out none of the blood data had been sent to her and my wait in the waiting room and the office visit was for naught. I have an appointment with the hematologist in a couple of months, I guess no news is good news. My joints (especially legs) are starting to feel better and I'm walking a lot better. How are you? I tried to search for your posts but couldn't figure out how to do it here,

[Rebl2]

19. Migraine

not usually a symptom of RA. Sometimes it takes time to figure out if it’s RA. The blood test for it isn’t really reliable. Have had it since I was nine yo. and they did blood test for RA and sometimes it would be positive and sometimes negative. They seem to go by symptoms and x-rays of affected joints. Wish you good luck.

[LittleGirl]

21. I was 50 when

I was diagnosed with Thyroid disease.
I had days where my joints ached so bad, I limped.
I had hormone problems as I started menopause at 37 and had it all removed at 44.
The joint pain ended up being gluten and potato intolerance.
No kidding, gluten and potatoes just hurt me.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[oldtime dfl_er]

22. Wishing you well

Hope you get answers and hope you feel better soon!

[BobTheSubgenius]

23. Absolute best of luck to you!

As Red Green used to say at the end of one of his recurring segments "I'm rooting for ya. We're all in this together."

As I've been known to say "Getting old ain't for sissies."

[Grasswire2]

24. regarding the joint swelling...

..was gout ruled out?

I, the least likely person to have gout, was just diagnosed with it. I don't drink alcohol, don't eat rich food. But I have gout.

Affecting my lower limbs and feet.

[NJCher]

30. some doctors like you to think of them as your partner in health

Because my doc wasn't covered on my new insurance plan I had to get another one.

On the first visit we had so much fun talking that she said this isn't like work, it's like girlfriends getting together for coffee.

She had to quit because of Covid so I got a new doc and we have a good relationship like that, too.
When we see each other it's like old friends.

It sure takes the angst out of doctor visits.