Time to get to a rheumatologist quickly if you don't already have an
appointment.  The other things are important too but you need to have proper
meds which need to be done by an rd (rheumatologist).  There will be others
to talk to you but welcome - this is a great supportive group and yet we
have been where you are.  It is hard to be in so much pain that you can't
live life the way it was meant to be.  In the meantime, teach your 3 year
old daughter that you would love to pick her up but it would be easier if
she climbed up beside you instead and then you would have the energy to read
her a great story and share a glass of milk and crackers.  Kids are more
adaptable than adults so she will think that is great!

Kelly

Joe wrote and asked:

And Brian replied:

There are more than 100 forms/types of arthritis, and they all have
different methods/tests for diagnosis.  Some have several tests and
a person who has 3 of 5 or 4 of 6 postitive signs of a particular form
of arthritis is considered to have it.  However some people can have a
form of arthritis and fail the tests/lab work.  Many with rheumatory
arthritis don't show signs of the RF - rheumatoid factor.

I don't believe X-rays alone are a good method of diagnosing any of
those 100+ types of arthritis.  Your "regular doctor", if competent,
should refer you to a rheumatologist - a specialist in arthritis and
its
treatment.

Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are not the sole methods
of treating arthritis.  There are also disease modifying (DMARDs)
drugs which can "slow down" the progress of arthritis.  They
don't "cure" or "heal" whatever damage has already occurred.

When you say "lower hip", do you mean the groin or the buttocks?

The spinal column, consists of 33/34 vertebrae; 7/8 cervial, 12
thoracic,
5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal.  The bones of the sacrum and
coccyx are ankylosed in adult life and counted as one.  SYN: backbone

Spinal nevers - One of the nerves arising from the spinal cord;
31 pairs, consisting of 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral,
and 1 coccygeal. corresponding with the spinal vertebrae.  Each
spinal nerve is attached to the spinal cord by 2 roots: a dorsal or
posterior sensory root and a ventral or anterior motor root.  The
former consists of afferent fibers conveying impulses to the cord;
the latter of efferent fibers conveying impulses from the cord.  A
typical spinal nerve passes through the intervertebral foramen,
divides into 4 branches.

I can't draw pictures here, but the sciatic nerves from the spine
passes through the hip region into the legs, down to the feet.

Mine began in the lower back and spread to the shoulders and
neck.  My neck is now fused by the disease and I can't drive.

It spread to my hips and knees.  I had a hip replacement in 2000
and eventually the opposite hip will need replacement.

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rheumatoid factor - Antibodies raised by the body against
immunoblobulins.  They are present in roughly 80% of patients
whith rheumatoid arthritis and in many patients with other
rheumatological and infectious illnesses.  This factor  is used,
WITH OTHER CLINICAL INDICATORS, in the diagnosis and
management of theumatoid arthritis. (emphasis mine)

rheumatologist - A physician who specialized in arthritis.

rheumatology - The division of medicine concerned with
rheumatic diseases.

Taber's CYCLOPEDIC MEDICAL DICTIONARY   19th EDITION

... Skier:  Someone who pays an arm and a leg - to break them.