← Return to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

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@lisaangela

I’m looking for some direction, guidance, info help. So here is my story. I am currently 52 years old. (Female) Up until 2013 I felt healthy, no issues with arthritis etc. I started doing CrossFit in 9/13. (I was 46 years old) I loved doing it, lost weight, felt great, got into great shape. But shortly after startung CrossFit my hips started to hurt. I thought it was just muscle aches etc. kept going. I began limping, pain etc. In 2015 I saw an orthopedic who gave me some injections and suggested I had tendinitis, and arthritis. But the pain just kept getting worse. By 4/16 I decided to see another orthopedic. After X-rays and MRI I found out I had a torn labrum and bone on bone arthritis. I had my first hip replacement in 9/16. Three years after starting CrossFit! In 5/17 I had my second hip replacement. In 5/18 ai could barely use my shoulder, went to the orthopedic, discovered I was totally bone on bone arthritis and I had a total shoulder replacement. Since then slowly all of my joints are being destroyed. Currently I need my right thumb joint replaced. My hands ache horribly. My ankles hurt. My neck hurts. I have radiating pain in different joints at different times. I feel like a mess. I have horrible inflammation in my body everyday. I never knew what inflammation was until 2013. If I do any heavy duty house work or exercise I am in pain for 3 days.Two years ago I found my biological mother. I am adopted. She has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was 30 and encouraged me to see a rheumatologist. She informed me that she has tested serum negative for rheumatoid arthritis all her life, but has the diagnosis and is on meds. I decided to see a rheumatologist last summer. After looking at my records and examining me he informed me that he thought I had severe osteoarthritis. He recommended that I keep taking my anti inflammatory and return of my symptoms worsen. He didn’t test my blood. I felt frustrated and uncertain as to what to do next. I continue to take anti-inflammatory medication but my joints keep getting worse. I also have inflammation in my eyes now. I’m much more tired and overwhelmed. I’ll just add that I have been a counselor for 22 years and do not have a physically stressful job. I sit and talk to my clients. I am completely baffled by what is happening to my body and need some help! Any information Or suggestions would be great! I am considering going to another rheumatologist for a second opinion. Any recommendations in the Buffalo area would be appreciated. Thanks for listening. Lisa

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Replies to "I’m looking for some direction, guidance, info help. So here is my story. I am currently..."

@lisaangela Welcome to connect we aren't Drs but help with our experience .With all you have are you under. Dr ,s care ?If not you need to see a rheumatologist Good luck I hope you post again

Hello Lisa @lisaangela, welcome to Connect. I can understand your frustration trying to get a diagnosis and a treatment that helps. There is another discussion here on Connect where your post may receive move visibility. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your post to the following discussion.

> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-introduce-yourself-and-meet-others/

I'm not sure if it is an option for you but if it is and you would like get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, you can find the contact information for the Minnesota, Arizona and Florida campuses here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

@lisaangela absolutely get a second and even third opinion...you may not have RA, it may be Lymes', Lupus or another auto-immune disorder. But one thing's for sure, you have something systemic causing chronic inflammation in addition to advanced osteo-arthritis. Have you completed menopause?