Can you share how your RA started.

Does your doctor do a telephone assessment? I would give them a ring. My husband has been experiencing pain in his hip which we think is arthritis, he phoned doctor who sent him for an xray, results are back and doctor is calling him back tomorrow. Appointments are being made depending on criteria, don't suffer, get it sorted

happened to me too I finally went to get a cortizone shot in my shoulder and now everything feels great I have an appointment with the rheumatologist next week After the shot the swelling went down A couple other people I know experienced the same I am not on RA meds yet

Hi,

Typically RA presents symmetrically in both hands and/or both feet. OA is often asymmetrical with one hip or knee or hand. Mine started at the menopause after I had a bout of sinusitis with a chest infection. I had 2 courses of antibiotics and then my joints in my hands, feet, shoulders and knees started to swell and become painful. If you do think that you have it you should see your Dr as soon as possible as there are some good treatments available now. I had been lucky for 10 years, after being treated with methotrexate, with only mild symptoms until May 2019 when I needed antibiotics again for a chest infection. Since then my hands and feet have been very sore. I'm wondering if this is just a coincidence. Your Dr will still be doing telephone consultations during the COVID restrictions.

My first symptoms came on gradually over a couple of months. I had fatigue, morning stiffness of my legs, and sensitivity of my hands and feet, joined by a "clunky" painful looseness in the finger joints, dry eyes, a loss of mental clarity (very distressing). I also had pain in my wrists, elbows, and shoulders. I had swelling behind one knee and a bursitis in the sole of one foot. I never especially noticed joint swelling or redness.

By the time I was diagnosed, about 3 months after first symptoms, things were severe. Walking was painful, I could barely lift a spoon and would painfully handle pressures such as a light switch or a toilet flush. Casual brushes with my hands and knuckles against surfaces would nearly make me cry.

I had become really debilitated and depressed due to constant pain, loss of physical and mental capability, exhaustion, inability to work and uncertainty for the future.

After starting on DMARDs, the reduction of RA symptoms took more months to achieve, as well as coping with the side-effects of the drugs, so that period was also very tough.

Diagnosis will require a range of specific blood tests which can help your doctor and specialist to reach a proper diagnosis.

In my case blood test results were very strongly definitive. However some people are sero-negative, meaning the clear RA blood markers are not there, which can make diagnosis harder.

The reason you should not wait is that these symptoms don't just hurt, they are doing you harm. If it is RA, this is an actively destructive disease when it is untreated. The immune system is busy attacking the synovium and other connective tissue in affected joints, and the longer you stay untreated, the more permanent damage will occur.

I really encourage you to seek medical advice. If possible, arrange to get to a doctor. A physical examination is needed to assess your joints. Social isolation measures should NOT stop you being seen by a doctor for this.

Yes, unfortunately it could well be RA. RA shows swelling and pain bilaterally, that is on both sides, unlike OA.

It could also be another kind of arthritis, such as polyarthritis.

I suggest you make an appointment with your rheumatologist asap because sometimes you have to wait several weeks in the UK and it could get worse.

When you get your blood test, keep in mind that you could be seronegative (20% are), meaning it's not a definitive diagnosis, in which case the rheumy will make a clinical diagnosis based on your history and symptoms.

If at all possible, take someone with you to all consultations, preferably who takes notes. Sometimes the information can be overwhelming and when you're in a bad state it's hard to take it all in. A third person makes a wonderful buffer and you can share notes later.

See your GP as soon as you can to get that rheumy appointment. I'm sure your doctor will be well prepared to protect you against Covid. Wear a mask. Sit two metres away... You know the drill!

Meanwhile take painkillers, don't overwork the painful joints and start eating healthy food if you're not already. Fish oil supplements could help, as could turmeric.

Be kind to yourself!

I started soon after I had a bakers cyst in my right knee hot swollen painfully but despite treatment it didn't go away then started in my left knee

now have it in knees ankles wrists and fingers

You need to have a telephone consult with your GP he can take bloods while we are on lock down I have had mine done and I am shielding at least till the end of June, but I need MONTHLY liver checks get the ball rolling as there is lots of help out there.

sometime though RA FACTOR doesn't shown in bloods if that happens to you ask for a referral to rheumatology if

I started soon after I had a bakers cyst in my right knee hot swollen painfully but despite treatment it didn't go away then started in my left knee

now have it in knees ankles wrists and fingers

You need to have a telephone consult with your GP he can take bloods while we are on lock down I have had mine done and I am shielding at least till the end of June, but I need MONTHLY liver checks get the ball rolling as there is lots of help out there.

sometime though RA FACTOR doesn't shown in bloods if that happens to you ask for a referral to rheumatology if