Question:
My symptoms are quite recent--been having joint pain in middle jointof both ring fingers for about 2 months. Initially I thought it wasfrom playing tennis and gripping too hard, but then I had pain insymmetrical distribution in other ring finger and after doing a littlelooking on line, decided to go to my orthopedist and have blood tests. I have negative RA latex, negative ANA, and slightly positive sedrate--25 (20 is top normal). I have been going to an acupuncturist fora couple of weeks and taking Chinese herbs, and they help. I do workat a computer a lot and only stopped tennis for a week. I did make anappt. with a local rheumatologist, Orrin Troum--for Dec. 18th. He'sobviously good if he's that busy in a city as big as Los Angeles, alsomy orthopod thinks he's good, altho' says he doesn't take a whole lotof time after the first visit. Anyone here have any experience withhim? Or other L.A. RA docs to recommend?

I was about to spring for a couple of books on Amazon.Com--Poehlman'sbook being number one on their list when I did a search--but thought Iwould post here first and ask for book recommendations as well as anyother suggestions that can be non-prescription ways of eliminatingpain--which is really fairly mild at this point. I have had a lot ofother stresses in my life recently (mother died Sept. 1, moneyworries), so that doesn't help, but I don't seem to have any fatigueor other symptoms. When I stopped playing tennis and took it easierfor a week, my hands were less swollen but not that much different.

Has anyone had a mild case of "rheumatoid variant" that has remittedor at least not progressed? Also, is there anybody that hascontinued to play tennis (or resumed playing tennis) with RA?

Answer: I recently stumbled across this book at Barnes andNoble. Below is the useful information.-morgan The Official Patient's Sourcebook on ARTHRITIS OF THE SHOULDER (Covers arthritic inflammation of the shoulder; joint inflammation of the shoulder; shoulder arthritis)

Revised and Updated for the Internet Age

http://www.icongrouponline.com/health/Arthritis_of_the_Shoulder.html

Pages : 168ISBN : 059783234XPublished : 2002

Synopsis

A comprehensive manual for anyone interested in self-directedresearch on arthritis of the shoulder. Fully referenced withample Internet listings and glossary.

Related Conditions/Synonyms

arthritic inflammation of the shoulder; joint inflammation ofthe shoulder; shoulder arthritis

Description

This book has been created for patients who have decided tomake education and research an integral part of the treatmentprocess. Although it also gives information useful to doctors,caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patientswhere and how to look for information covering virtually alltopics related to arthritis of the shoulder (also arthriticinflammation of the shoulder; joint inflammation of theshoulder; shoulder arthritis), from the essentials to the mostadvanced areas of research. The title of this book includesthe word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebookdraws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewedresearch. Selected readings from various agencies arereproduced to give you some of the latest official informationavailable to date on arthritis of the shoulder. Givenpatients' increasing sophistication in using the Internet,abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources areprovided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidanceis provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary researchresults as well as more detailed information via the Internet.E-book and electronic versions of this sourcebook are fullyinteractive with each of the Internet sites mentioned(clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser tothe site indicated). Hard-copy users of this sourcebook cantype cited Web addresses directly into their browsers toobtain access to the corresponding sites. In addition toextensive references accessible via the Internet, chaptersinclude glossaries of technical or uncommon terms.

Table of Contents

Introduction Overview Organization Scope Moving ForwardPART I: THE ESSENTIALS Chapter 1. The Essentials on Arthritis of the Shoulder: Guidelines Overview How Common Are Shoulder Problems? What Are the Structures of the Shoulder and Its Function? What Are the Origin and Causes of Shoulder Problems? How Are Shoulder Problems Diagnosed? What Is Arthritis of the Shoulder? What Are the Signs of Shoulder Arthritis? How Is Arthritis of the Shoulder Treated? Where Can I Get Additional Information? More Guideline Sources Vocabulary Builder Chapter 2. Seeking Guidance Overview Associations and Arthritis of the Shoulder Finding Doctors Finding a Rheumatologist Selecting Your Doctor Working with Your Doctor Broader Health-Related ResourcesPART II: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVANCED MATERIAL Chapter 3. Studies on Arthritis of the Shoulder Overview Federally-Funded Research on Arthritis of the Shoulder The National Library of Medicine: PubMed Vocabulary Builder Chapter 4. Books on Arthritis of the Shoulder Overview Book Summaries: Online Booksellers The National Library of Medicine Book Index Chapters on Arthritis of the Shoulder General Home References Vocabulary Builder Chapter 5. Multimedia on Arthritis of the Shoulder Overview Bibliography: Multimedia on Arthritis of the Shoulder Vocabulary Builder Chapter 6. Physician Guidelines and Databases Overview NIH Guidelines NIH Databases Other Commercial Databases The Genome Project and Arthritis of the Shoulder Specialized ReferencesPART III. APPENDICES Appendix A. Researching Your Medications Overview Your Medications: The Basics Learning More about Your Medications Commercial Databases Contraindications and Interactions (Hidden Dangers) A Final Warning General References Appendix B. Researching Alternative Medicine Overview What Is CAM? What Are the Domains of Alternative Medicine? Can Alternatives Affect My Treatment? Finding CAM References on Arthritis of the Shoulder Additional Web Resources General References Vocabulary Builder Appendix C. Researching Nutrition Overview Food and Nutrition: General Principles Finding Studies on Arthritis of the Shoulder Federal Resources on Nutrition Additional Web Resources Vocabulary Builder Appendix D. Finding Medical Libraries Overview Preparation Finding a Local Medical Library Medical Libraries Open to the Public Appendix E. Questions and Answers about Arthritis Pain Overview What Is Arthritis? What Is Pain? What Causes Arthritis Pain? Why Is It So Variable? How Do Doctors Measure Arthritis Pain? What Will Happen When You First Visit a Doctor for Your Arthritis Pain? Who Can Treat Arthritis Pain? How Is Arthritis Pain Treated? Short-Term Relief Long-Term Relief What Alternative Therapies May Relieve Arthritis Pain? How Can You Cope with Arthritis Pain? What Research Is Being Conducted on Arthritis Pain? Where Can You Find More Information on Arthritis Pain? Vocabulary Builder Appendix F. More on Rheumatic Diseases and Arthritis Overview What Are Rheumatic Diseases and What Is Arthritis? Examples of Rheumatic Diseases What Causes Rheumatic Disease? Who Is Affected by Arthritis and Rheumatic Conditions? What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis? How Are Rheumatic Diseases Diagnosed? Medical History Physical Examination and Laboratory Tests What Are the Treatments? Myths about Treating Arthritis What Can Be Done to Help? What Is Some of the Current Research Being Done on Arthritis? Vocabulary BuilderONLINE GLOSSARIES Online Dictionary DirectoriesARTHRITIS OF THE SHOULDER GLOSSARY General Dictionaries and GlossariesINDEX

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