Vindication

I'm reading through my new copy of "Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis" and I come across this...

It says:

"In fact, many people with RA say that they just don't feel well."

This was mind blowing to me. Ever since my treatment for Latent TB that's exactly how I wanted to describe it. That I "just don't feel well." That something is wrong. The book goes on to discuss how RA is thought to be genetic in base, but that it's "triggered" by something environmental like a virus or bacteria. Then it goes on the specifically name TB as a potential trigger.

My mind was blown.

Vindication right there. I'd been telling my doctor and neurologist for over a year that something was wrong. That maybe I should see a rheumatologist. That I was having "stocking and glove pattern neuropathy." The neurologist, rheumatologist and my doctor told me that you don't have neuropathy in RA, but this book clearly says that you can. In fact the "stocking and glove pattern" is the most common type of neuropathy that goes along with RA. VINDICATION!

I can't begin to explain what a relief it was to read all of that. That a serious illness (like Latent TB) can trigger RA. That neuropathy can happen. That RA isn't always perfectly symmetrical (my right side is far more affected then my left.) All of these things in black and white. 

So now I have a NEW neurologist that I'm seeing at the end of June. Though the DMARD I'm on is really helping the neuropathy. It used to wake me up every single night, typically many times. Now I can sleep through the whole night, which I haven't done in about four years. I also spoke with my primary care doctor about getting a new rheumatologist. 

I was right and these specialists were wrong. I'm so glad I stuck with it and refused to back down. I was determined to solve what was going on with my body and now I have some answers. Best of all I have a treatment that's helping.

So trust your gut. If you think something's wrong, don't rest till you get answers. Don't let it consume your life, but also don't just let it go. This is a tricky balance, but one that's incredibly worth it.