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Yep, your doctor should ask about other auto-immune diseases like asthma, psoriasis and excema to see if you already have some of them already. Melissa and I go to the same doctor, so they've run the same tests on me. I do get to find out if I have Lyme disease or not on Monday when I get my tests back! Very psyched to see that. Plus get an insight into my thyroid function, adrenal glands, T3, T4 and reverse T3 levels and .... (there were a lot of tests... $1850 in all!!). 
~nelly~
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I was just reading about RA the other day. It said something like 40% of people with RA will never test positive for the anti-body. They do believe that there is a genetic gene that can be passed down, so yes, if your parents have it your chances are greater. I also read that RA can be brought out or activated by a severe virus or a major hormonal shift, like giving birth or possibly fertility hormones.
I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2001. I was told I was going to get liver cancer and die very young.  Nice thing for a dr to tell you!  The treatment they offered at the time was really nasty, basically a years worth of chemo and with the particular geno-type I had, geno type 1, the drugs only had a 30%chance of killing it. So, I opted to do nothing and hope a better treatment came out. While I was going through all the fertility stuff, I saw a different infectious disease doctor because the fertility dr wanted the virus checked and come to find out, my body had destroyed it!! I actually was just rechecked for it again last week and I'm still negative for it! Its rare for a persons immune system to kill such a strong virus, less than 8% actually. Anyways, when a body's immune system is revved up enough to kill a virus like that, it sometimes stays in overdrive. Between that and the fertility meds and miscarriages, they believe thats what brought on the RA for me. My mom also has been recently diagnosed so I probably had the gene somewhere and the above factors activated it!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Yep, skin rashes and eczema (sp?) can be signs of auto immune disease. I've personally never had skin issues, other then some acne and stretch marks!!  I've had SO many blood tests done in the last 2 years, I couldn't even begin to remember them all! I know I'm also waiting on a Lymes test that I took last week! Do your hands turn white when they are cold? Mine don't, infact I typically run hot but its another symptom of auto immune problems!
Fibro won't cause swelling but will cause fatigue and pain. Ra will cause swelling along with lots of pain also! I was amazed when the rheumy told me I had already lost 20% of the bone mass in several fingers and toes! RA pain also tends to be on both sides of your body, like if your right middle finger hurts, your left middle finger will hurt too! About the only thing on me that doesn't hurt yet are my elbows! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks, Tissy.  Yeah, I've never heard of a sleep medicine specialist either. I was told they deal not only with sleeping difficulties but waking problems as well. Interesting! 
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Wow! That's great that your immune system was able kill such a strong virus! I'mk so glad you didn't have to go through all that treatmenht, which seemed risky to me. Since you have a super powerful immune system, do you notice that you get sick (colds, the Flu) left often?
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Congratulations on SPEAKING UP, on following through. I admire your doctor's honesty--it's not her area. I'm sure that it would take a little more expert investigation/data/feedback.
Don't give up. It's not in your head.
Kate.
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Ah, I see now about checking for other auto-immune diseases. That makes sense!
Make sure to keep us updated on your test results! $1850 is a lot, but it's worth it just to find out what's going on with your body.  Just getting in to see a rheumatologist, the possibility that I might get some answers, has made me giddy.
Isn't that sad?
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Now that you mention it, Nelly--Maria's symptoms definitely fall into the auto-immune category. Seriously...it's not something to dismiss.
Kate.
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I had really bad acne for years, and I always have mysterious rashes which I assumed were from having sensitive skin following years of acne treatment (Accutane- ugh!). I did have a viral skin infection a few years ago, but I don't believe it had to do with an auto-immune disorder. My hands and feet are always like ice cubes, something my doctor commented on yesterday. I've never paid attention to any change in color.
I don't want to jump to conclusions or diagnosis myself, but I do get pains on both sides. And my middle fingers always hurt! I don't even use them that often.  The same for my pinkies and the tops of my palms/bases of fingers, ankles, toes, and front part of my shoulders. Hm. I guess I'll have a lot to talk to the rheumy about!
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Yes, I think my doctor's really smart and not intimidated by "medical mysteries." I liked her right away. Most doctors who see my scar for the first time freak out and say, "What's that? What happened? Why do you have it?" and think there's still something wrong with my heart. But my current PCP, when she first saw my scar, she said, "That's nice! Can I touch it?"
I can't give up now! Thanks, Kate, for all your support!
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