[lindkaye]

Hi there - went to the rhemu dr yesterday for 1st time and my head is reeling. Brief history - knee replacement gone bad 07, diagnosed with RSD in knee 2008. Then finally diagnosed with MS in Feb 09. I have not yet started shots, dr wants to wait for another MRI in July to see if lesions have increased since 08 scan (which had more lesions than 04). I also have scoliosis and back fusion. I have had terrible stiffness and pain in almost all my body joints for last 6-9 months and dr thought this was more than just MS. Hence my appt yesterday. Dr is stating he is sure it is an inflammation arthritis form, not sure which one until all blood tests are back next week. My hands are so swollen can't see knuckles at all or even hold a glass for about the first couple hours each day. It has also affected my legs (more than the RSD and MS has). He took 14 viles of blood (yikes!), xrays of hands, lower back, and urine test. He mentioned possible outcome of Lupus or rheumetoid arthritis. We do have a large family history of RA. Anyone out there have both MS and either Lupus or RA? If so, how do you cope? It just seems that one thing after another keeps coming up wrong with my body and not sure how much more I can adjust and accept. I feel like I am 99 and am only 51. Any info and insight anyone can give would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[SallyC]

Sheesh, that all sucks, Linda.. I hope it isn't Lupus, RA or anything else and will just go away..

Only 51...you want to hear something really depressing...I'm old enough to be your Mother and I'm only 69..

Feel Better soon please..

[april1848]

I hope those tests come back negative, that's a lot to deal with! I was convinced I had RA because I've had terrible joint pain since I was a kid, and two of my family members have it. My doctor ruled that and lupus out in the process of diagnosing me, and says that the joint pain can be a symptom of MS. I hope that's true, because my knees and ankles and hip bones hurt almost constantly.

I have no advice, but you'll be in my thoughts. It sounds like you've been through more than enough medical yuckiness. I hope the joint pain goes away; hopefully it's an MS thing that will ease over time? I'll be hoping for the best.