I’m 49 years old and generally healthy. That’s what I thought, anyway. I went into the doctors office about a sinus infection, and while I was there asked about my “assorted medical complaints”- stuff that comes up now and again, but doesn’t seem serious enough to merit its own appointment.
My doctor was a new one- I had seen her once when my doctor was unavailable, but he was now retired and I’d liked her, so I asked to become a new patient. She is a bit younger than me, and her aunt and uncle had been favorite clients of mine. We had some pleasant conversation, discussed a few medical issues, and she asked me to let her draw some blood for a routine blood screen. It might clarify some of the things I’d asked her about. Sure I said, and made the short walk to the lab, and rolled up my sleeve.
The next night when the phone rang, I saw the name of the clinic on my phone, and thought nothing of it. I cheerfully answered the phone, and the doctor delivered the grim news. The stiffness I’d been feeling in my feet in the morning was due to rheumatoid arthritis.
To say I was stunned would be understating the case. I am 49 years old and appear to be in great health. I am slim, I exercise, eat right, take no medications, and, except for a little stiffness in the morning, I feel great. How could I have rheumatoid arthritis? I wasn’t even sure what it meant, except chronic pain and twisted deformed joints.
I tried to listen to what she was saying, but my mind wasn’t able to process it. This morning I found some random things I had scribbled on a piece of paper as she talked. Rheumatologist, further testing, caught early, nurse will call with appointment.
After she hung up, I sat staring at the phone in stunned silence. And I cried. I tried to stop so I could call my family, who are all in the medical profession, and would know more about this than I do. But they didn’t- they knew that it was bad, but that was about all. Enter Google. Let me tell you, that Google is not your friend in this circumstance. Google was happy to provide me with horrific pictures of twisted hands and depressing statistics. I learned what it was though. RA is a disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body, starting with your joints. To fight it, I will have to keep my inflammation down or else suppress my immune response with some pretty unpleasant sounding drugs.
I have always taken care of my health because I know how important it is. I knew this could happen. I know people who did everything right, and lost their health anyway. I saw it in my job. Its why I didn’t wait to retire- I knew that waiting too long could mean that by the time you retired, you wouldn’t be healthy enough to enjoy it. Who would have thought it could happen to me at 49?
I know I may be overreacting, but I don’t know what to think, what to do. I was on an errand to buy a birthday gift for a friend at a bookstore, and I stopped in the “Health and Wellness” aisle and pulled out a book on Arthritis by the Mayo clinic. I grabbed a cup of coffee and read about flare ups, and treatments for pain, about the different kinds of medications, and lifestyle and dietary changes I would have to make. Everyone pictured in the book was a LOT older than me. One thing I did find out is that the prognosis for people diagnosed with RA has improved quite a bit in the last 10 years, and that statistics that point to a shortened life expectancy may no longer be accurate. Good to know. The book finished with some things that could aid arthritic people with daily tasks. Among the information was how to select the correct walker or cane, and how to use a button hook. Great.
I’m trying to be positive. I know that its good that it was caught early. Many cases aren’t caught till there is visible joint damage, or the pain is too severe to be ignored. My pain isn’t severe, it’s only in the morning, and is usually gone even before I get a cup of coffee. It was so mild, I had chalked it up to middle age and almost didn’t ask the doctor about it at all. There may not be any damage to my joints yet, which I imagine I’ll find out at my next doctor appointment. Because its so early, treatment may be less severe and more effective. That’s what I’m hoping anyway.
I’ve been crying a lot. My dreams of an active retirement may not happen. I had planned on at least 15 years of adventurous travel. I thought we’d have to slow down because of my husband’s health (he’s older than me) not because of mine. I guess I need to do the things I most wanted to do while I still can.
As someone with chronic pain issues and a whole host of medical nightmares I saw your title and rushed over to read this post. I am sorry about your news. I’m sure it won’t make you feel any better when I say this, but it’s good that you found out right away. Hopefully that means you can start treatment and therapies that might help. A lot of us who suffer from medical anomalies wait months and years to find out what’s wrong. Search for alternative treatments in addition to modern medicine. My pain issues are handled through both western and eastern medicine.
I’m interested in alternative therapies. I’m already looking into adjusting my diet to reduce inflammation. I hope I can reduce the amount of drugs I will need that way. 🤞
I am so sorry you received this news. It’s always a shock, especially when we feel okay and have looked after our health. Remember that one of the reasons you feel great is because you have actively done the work to stay healthy. It may be more challenging to continue doing that in the future, but know that continuing to exercise and eat well will make all the difference in your day to day life. You already know how to do this. Also, find a good physical therapist. They can make all the difference.
Thanks. I am determined to keep symptoms at bay as long as I can and everything I’ve read recommends exercising. I will look into a physical therapist.
I read your post but didn’t comment initially because I didn’t know what to say, and was scared I’d say the wrong thing. Nothing’s changed, but here goes anyway…
I guess all I wanted to say is that your posts show us that you have a supportive family and, for what it matters, some people, who even though they only know you through this blog, who are also sending you positive thoughts. I’m convinced that the right mindset can work wonders and I have no doubt that you have that. Wishing you positive thoughts.
Thanks! That means a lot. I’ve learned a lot since I made that post, including that I may not even have RA. I’m changing my diet and keeping healthy, and enjoying feeling good. I have an interminable 3 month wait to see a rheumatologist to make a real diagnosis.
That sounds hopeful, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.