My appt was this morning...

[mrsjksimmons]

My first ever appointment with the rheumatologist was this morning. I was nervous as hell but I wanted answers. Well, I got them. I have RA no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I have erosion to three of my fingers already (1 lt 2 rt). He said that my body is very inflamed. He put me on the steroid prednisone to get the inflammation down. I start that today. I cried while driving home. Even though I knew that I was going to be diagnosed some small part of me was hoping I wouldn't be. I just hope the pain gets better soon. I go back in 3 wks to figure where to go from here. Oh yeah, he took xrays in office and tooks labs which will be back by the time of my next appt.

[29again]

I know exactly how you feel.  It's taken me a long time to come to terms with having this disease.  And I'm still not all the way there.  All I can see is how my grandma looked when I was growing up, and it petrifies me, even though I know that there are many medications on the market now that really do help, meds that were not available to her.  All she had was motrin, which looked like an orange M&M (and my cousins & I thought it was soooo funny to tease her, and pretend that we had her meds, and eat our candy just to get a reaction out of her.......it's not so funny now...) 

Getting the inflammation down is the first step.  Good luck!

[sillymoo]

You will feel so much better while taking the Prednisone! It is amazing what such a little pill can do. Try to focus on the positive. I believe it makes a difference.

[angelachristine]

Good luck! Hope the prednisone helps.

[mrsjksimmons]

Oh yes, the prednisone is helping so much and it's only been 2 days. It is making the difference already and I can actually do stuff like type without feeling awful. :)

[29again]