Herniated Disc and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question  I was told I had a positive for rheumatoid arthritis (though a low positive) an a high inflammation level then sent to the rheumatologist by my personal doctor. The rheumatologist has now decided I have a herniated disc in my back that is causing these issues because the pain that is keeping me from being able to walk is in one leg and he says has taken away my reflexs in that leg. When I got the records from his office to take with me to the neurosurgical consultation and for the MRI an I found that his interprution of my explation of pain did not line up with the points I was trying to make about my ankle and hip pain in BOTH sides though my leg/ knee pain is only to my right and I have muscle pain on that side also that feels like a hot knife. He quotes me in ways I don't recognize and seemed frustrated that the first doctor sent me to him. I don't understand does that mean he thinks I only have a herniated disc or do I go back and re-examine the rheumatiod issue after the disc is dealt with/ He didn't seem to have time to discuse this with me and I waited and hour and a half once I was in the room to be examine and for consultation. I don't think communication went well though I think he may be right about the herniated disc it still does not explain to me the issues with my hands, elbows and feet.
Athens, Georgia
 
Answer  You may indeed have 2 things going on-- RA and a herniated disc. It hard to second guess what was in your doctors mind at the time he saw you. He may have chosen to start with the back issue first, or felt it was the most pressing problem. I would go back to him to discuss these other problems and issues.

Last update: 07:05 PM Tuesday, April 10, 2007

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