Hi Ray, I am new here and have enjoyed this honest conversation that you started. It really does make you think. I am experiencing numbness in my hands and feet. I have had several of my Drs, come up with different causes, or ideas, of what it may be.
I had a 15 min cram visit with my GP, Tuesday. My health issues seem to overwhelm him, as they do me, at times. Anyway, I forgot to show him the knots on my finger joints. I wrote him on the portal and said, " I know it's important to be "honest" to receive the best care, but I truly just forgot. I told him I thought it was RA, and explained my reasons. I have MGUS and low platelets etc so a repeat blood work was already ordered, and he said he would add the screening for RA. I had an ER visit three days later, and during the complete work-up to find my emergent problem, wouldn't you know it, I was told I have RA. I am glad I didn't just let it go until the next visit in several months, and that I am smart enough to dig for answers, and know my family health history also. Now I need to contact him again and gently tell him, thanks for the referral for carpal tunnel, but I truly think this is PN. I guess I also need to make him aware of the RA confirmation also. My balance has been an issue the last several years. I fell at work a few years back, had discs replaced and worsening symptoms with sciatica and numbness. Now, 5 years later, it's not just my feet being numb, but my hands also. I wonder if I can skip my co-pays, or get a discount, since I am out here self diagnosing, just kidding, lol. So glad to be here, and thankful to be my own best advocate! Knowledge is such a powerful thing, and it's great to learn from, and help others! Take care Ray, I hope you are more honest in the future! They say the truth will set you free. 😁🤗