My appointment to see the rheumatologist (Dr M) was 3 months from when I got the call from my Internist (Dr R) saying that I had rheumatoid arthritis. Right after I got back from vacation, Dr M’s office called saying that there was a cancellation, and I could have the appointment if I could be there in the morning at 8:00 am. Having already waited an agonizing two months, I quickly agreed.
When I arrived, the nurse asked me what seemed like a thousand questions about my health, and most of the answers were “no.”
“Does anyone in your family have RA?” “No.” “Any other immune diseases?” “No.” “Any fevers this month?” “No.” “Any hot or swollen joints?” “No.” “Have you been feeling depressed?” “No.” “Does anyone in your family have diabetes?” “No.” etc, etc.
Dr M came in and asked me more questions and probed my joints, tested my reflexes, and then asked me why I was there. I told him that my internist did a blood test which indicated that I have RA. He said that there is no test for RA, and a high rheumatoid factor IS common in people who have RA, but some people just have a high rheumatoid factor for no reason that anyone knows. He did say that there were a few other conditions that could cause a high rheumatoid factor, and that he’d run tests for those. They all came back negative.
I had mentioned the fact that I’d had my first Covid vaccine the day before I’d had my blood drawn at Dr R’s office. I asked if that could have been the cause of the high Rh test. “It could have been the Covid vaccine” he said, “or it might not. It might be that you just have a high RH factor. In any case, I don’t think you have RA. Come back if you have any other symptoms, but I honestly don’t expect to see you again.”
I cannot tell you how relieved I am, and how much more grateful I am for my health than I was before the health scare. That being said, ill health comes to nearly all of us sooner or later. My parents have enjoyed excellent health until the last few years. My mom has noticeably slowed down, and my dad is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and has been put on a new drug to slow that disease. In October, my mom went to the doctor, saying that her heart was “fluttering.” She refused the heart cath procedure (to determine the problem) that the first doctor prescribed, and instead took medication. The second doctor also recommended a heart cath, and this time she followed his advice. She has a complete blockage, which will require either open-heart surgery or a stent. Both options sound scary to me.
This, and of course my own scare, is a wake-up call for me to take care of my health. Doing so doesn’t guarantee a long and healthy life, but it certainly improves my odds. Also, no one knows how many active days they have left. I will be making the most of my early retirement, and not put my dreams off to an uncertain tomorrow.
That’s great news, a huge relief I’m sure, just a shame you had to go through the worry in the meantime.
On the stent, I know nothing other than a friend had a stent fitted and he was only in the hospital for a day or two and it seemed to be a much more routine procedure than I would have imagined.
I’m also on board about taking care of our health – knowing that I’m doing many of the right things not only has to make a difference with my physical health, but I think it makes me feel good mentally too.
For a moment or two I was annoyed at the first doctor for letting me worry about this, but the resulting gratitude and renewed determination to stay in shape may well be worth the anxiety. I feel better mentally and physically when I exercise too.
I hope mom chooses the stent- I think you’re right that it is a less risky surgery with a short recovery, but she seems very worried about that and is leaning towards the robotic procedure. I’m mostly trying to stay out of the discussion as I am the ONLY family member with no medical training at all!
I’m glad everything is okay! I’m sure that’s a great relief.
It is. Thank you!