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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Sep 24 3:33pm | Replies (878)Comment receiving replies
Hi,
I am also seronegative. I love my Rheumatologist and Primary doc. They put their heads together and agreed I have RA even though I do not have that RA marker. I have had six shoulder surgeries (3R, 3L) ending in a Reverse on both; back fusion even though I have two other smashed discs inside the curve due to scoliosis; failed bunionectomy that resulted in six dislocations on my other toes so 4/5 foot surgeries; severe arthritis throughout my spine and hands, trigger finger (both thumbs); carpal tunnel/R & L; and the list goes on. Two yrs. ago, they wanted to put a rod in my back from my butt to T something. I think it was 14 discs & I refused because I have heard horror stories about those rods. I got a doctor to fix one disc outside of the curve that has grown from a couple of discs when I was ten, to an S-curve in to my middle back. I also have spinal stenosis and osteoporosis. Neuropathy in toes on both feet but bad in the top half of my R foot. Now the arch in my mouth has collapsed and jaw is wonky. I prob. won't be able to get implants or even implant-supported dentures because of the osteoporosis.
Sick of all of it and I do mean sick of all of it.
Replies to "Hi, I am also seronegative. I love my Rheumatologist and Primary doc. They put their heads..."
Oh my…..I’m so sorry you’ve had to suffer so much. I have had lumbar surgery due to degeneration and disc loss . I have a wonderful surgeon who performed a Transforaminal
lumbar interbody fusion L5-S1. So, I have two rods and 4 screws in my lumbar back. He said when he removed what was left of the disc he was surprised to see it was all gone except for a small amount on either side. The same surgeon recently performed surgery on my cervical spine and the procedure was ANTERIOR CERVICAL
Name
DISCECTOMY WITH FUSION.
C4-5 AND C5-6, USING
ANTERIOR PLATE AND
SCREWS THAT WERE
SEPARATE FROM THE
INTERBODY GRAFTS.
POSTERIOR
DECOMPRESSIVE
LAMINECTOMY OF C4, C5, C6
AND PARTIAL C7. I’m lucky to have found him as my surgeries have gone remarkably well and I have benefited from both of them. I have considered trying to see someone at Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic but have not taken the steps to try to get an appointment yet. Everything seems so overwhelming and to embark on a long trip in unknown territory is something I’ve been putting off but I may have to do so in the near future.
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So sorry for your pain and inability to find medical solutions. Prayers for your healing!