lower back and hip pain

[painmom]

can RA start in your lower back and hips before it can be seen in your hands and feet??

[painmom]

Can my primary Dr order this bone and joint scan just to see what is going on or does a specialist have to order it?Would appreciate you input! Go back to primary Dr on the 27th and would like to be able to ask her if possible. thanks so much for you help dont really know where to go from here!!!

[painmom]

I have medicaid and it is very hard to find a specialist to take it. My primary care dr is getting frusterated with this situation as well. This is not her field and feels like the dr she sent me to is just brushing me off because im not a cash paying patient. Medicaid doesnt pay him enough I guess.But in the mean time I sit and suffer Its NOT FAIR!!!! They should care about thier patients no matter what! The money shouldnt matter but I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go round.Maybe my primary dr can figure something out I HOPE for my sake that is.Can she order the bone and joint scan? I have an appt with her at the end of the month.I tried talking to this man being nice but in the end I just lost it and let him have it, left out cring was so upset.I dont see how he keeps his patience talking down to them that way. sorry Im rambling on.Got get it out somehow i guess,And you have been so helpful.If you only knew how much i appreciate your help!!!!! Thanks Again

[txsilver]

Fibromyalgia is a sore spot for me.  (ok, that came out funny but you know what I mean.)  Fibro is real, but when your other condition is treated the fibro pain disappears.  
Can you get to Jacksonville to see a doctor on your insurance?  It may seem far, but if you find a good doctor, it is worth the trip.  A large number of my rheumy's patients actually come from out of state to see him.  (I considered that to bode well.)
If you cannot, I would ask the current doctor about the medications being used to treat RA.  At least some relafen, priolsec (to protect your stomach) and plaquenil.
Never mind, methotrexate, humira, enbrel and remicade.  Even if he thought it was just back pain and not RA, an antiinflammatory, muscle relaxer and something for the pain are fairly standard treatments.

[painmom]

Appt didnt go well. Said I have RA but is untreatable, didnt offer mri or anything.Blamems all my pain on my frybromyalgia witch I think is ****. the only problem i have is i cant find another rhuemy that takes my insurance.There is something going on and cant get a straight answer.Basically he told me all my pain is from my fybro and I need to loose weight and exercise more.That is hard for me because I have other problems too,such as COPD witch makes exercising very difficult as far as breathing much less all the pain Im in. What should I do- Im open for suggestions. Dont really know where to go from here.

Thanks again for all you help and support!!

[txsilver]

I am glad the appt is so soon!  If you read this before you go, be sure to take paper and pen.  The doctor should not mind you taking notes and it will help you remember what is said.  My doc loves it when I walk in with mine plus I take an inventory of changes (positive and negative) and any questions I have not been able to answer through research.  Good luck and write back soon!

[painmom]

my next apppt is tomorrow 5-15-09 hope to get some good news. will let you know what happens after my appt. again thanks so much for the info