1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Could I have Rheumatoid Arthritis??

Posted , 8 users are following.

rosielolo
rosielolo

Hi!

I was really hoping to get some advice. I went to my family doctor because my joints in my hands have been painful for a few months. She quickly said I could have RA and sent me for blood work on X-rays. She barely even glanced at my hands. RF and ANA were positive and she has referred me to a Rheumatologist (6-8 month wait). I don't really know what to think. I have little to no swelling, stiff and painful joints in the morning, and I've started to have other joints be painful like my wrists and feet (mostly ankles). My blood work showed not inflammation but I am anemic which explains why I'm so tired. Could I be RA maybe something else or am I worrying for nothing?

Anyone's RA ever looked similar to this?

Thanks!

Rose

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Next
  • linda23834
    linda23834 rosielolo

    Posted

    Hi Rosie, sorry to hear your not well. I started with the same problems as you but in my feet. I had blood test, it didn't show much, only slight inflammation. X-ray didn't show anything, an MRI showed inflammation around my joints. I eventually saw a Rheaumatologist, who said he thought I had Serenegative RA. I have tried a few medications, which have helped, but side effects. I have been on Embril for 3 months, this has helped. Unfortunately I am now having the same in my hands, swelling, painful joints.

    I was told that the medication helps and slows it down. I was walking with a stick and can manage without now. Maybe seeing the Specialist can help you. Sorry it is taking time for you to see someone, unfortunately it all takes time. If you find you are getting worse, maybe go back and tell your Dr. If you look on the Arthritis web site, they explain a lot about different types of Arthritis, one of the symptoms is fatigue, especially if you over do it. Hope this helps.

    • rosielolo
      rosielolo linda23834

      Posted

      Thanks linda!

      It's hard to believe right now that it can get worse than it is.

      I'm glad you found a drug that working for you.

      I did read about fatigue being a big symptom. I'm finding a lot of symptoms that make sense for me. It's all kind of coming together but I've seen the photos of the massive swelling which I don't have. So it's nice to hear not everyone has that swelling or at least not in the beginning.

    • linda23834
      linda23834 rosielolo

      Posted

      Hi Rosie, everyone is different, when you read all information, you can relate to certain things. When I first started, I was given steroid injections once every 3 months. My feet were just painful to walk on. It changed after a year. If you get worse, please see your Dr. Im sure he could help. All the best for the future.
    • lorraine74484
      lorraine74484 rosielolo

      Posted

      I am very sorry for your situation. Mine started on a similar fashion to yours. My hands and wrists started to ache alot about this time last year, I thought I was just doing too much gardening and digging. I had pain but little to no swelling. A few months later at a regular GPS appointment I mentioned it to him and by then other joints were affected as well. My GP ran some tests, and his suspicion was RA.

      It took me 4 months to get an appointment with a Rheumatologist. I was diagnosed as seronegative RA. I was seen for the third time just yesterday and my meds have been changed or increased. Things still aren't great with me, still a lot of pain, a little less swelling. I hated having to wait the 4 months, but what small relief I got has been worth it. I was told yesterday that every person is different and responds differently to medicationsee.

      I am sorry you have to wait, hopefully you will be able to check other providers or get on a cancellation list. Please don't feel alone, I know it's frustrating but please hang in there.

      Lorraine

  • meg83590
    meg83590 rosielolo

    Posted

    Hi rose I have sero negative RA and my symptoms started like yours. I suggest that 6-8 months wait for a rheumatologist is too long find someone else don't delay. The earlier you see someone the better as diagnosis may take some time. Treatment can take a while to work you need to get on the right treatment path asap! I wish you all the best of luck,

    • linda23834
      linda23834 meg83590

      Posted

      Hi Meg, you have probably read my reply to Rosie. Have you the same symptoms as me. Sorry, I don't mean to be nosey, but I haven't met anyone with the same RA as me. When I mention it to anyone, they haven't heard of It.

    • meg83590
      meg83590 linda23834

      Posted

      Hi Linda sero negative arthritis is they say the same but without the elevated rheumatoid factor. The belief is that we may develop the rheumatoid factor during our disease, who knows. I try not to worry about my bloods now I just focus on how I feel. Your right about the fatigue that was the most debilitating part and pains in my ankle feet and knees, I have a great GP and rheumatologist and I am now on biologics which has been a iLife saviour for me. i am grateful as I am back at work and I have good family support but I have challenges with this horrid disease. Contact me any time I wish we could all meet face to face we are the only ones who know what we are going through! All the best with your journey!
    • rosielolo
      rosielolo meg83590

      Posted

      Hi Meg!

      I'm glad I'm not alone.

      I'm in Canada and it seems that's the average wait time unless you are urgent. I'm hoping to get on a cancelation list once I get my appointment.

      I am worried about how long it's taking. It will be over a year since this has all started by the time a see a specialist I'm terrified of joint damage.

      Thank you!

    • linda23834
      linda23834 meg83590

      Posted

      Thanks so much Meg, I feel pretty isolated, my family and friends are great, but have no idea how I feel. Don't like to moan all of the time. I have learnt to pace myself now. If I have housework to do, then I can't go out shopping and if I go shopping, then I can't do chores. I used to walk for miles, can only do a short walk now. I realise if you don't use it, you lose it. So everything in moderation. If I over do it, then I have to rest for a day. The main thing, is to come to terms with it all. Good and some black days. Having said all this, there are people a lot worse off than me, I keep telling myself this. My days of going shopping for the day with friends have gone, looking on the bright side, I have saved a lot of money, ha ha. You have to find a positive. My knees are also effected. Great sharing. 😊

    • meg83590
      meg83590 linda23834

      Posted

      It's a very hard disease to understand for others. Although my family are supportive they really don't get the relentlessness of it all, that is gets better but I stil can't do the things I used to. I agree that there are so many worse off and that I am lucky we live in an age of wonderful new treatments. We all need each other to vent when we need to. All the best!

    • linda23834
      linda23834 meg83590

      Posted

      It's great to compare Meg, you know your not alone. I'm sure we will share problems in the future. All the best to you to.

    • carol303055
      carol303055 meg83590

      Posted

      So true! My husband has been great. He's helped me get dressed, wedged a drink in my swollen and stiff hands, gone up and down stairs all night for ice packs and lots more but then says something a bit insensitive. So I agree they don't really get how chronic this horrible disease is. (My husband has been wonderful really!)

  • Mollyjr
    Mollyjr rosielolo

    Posted

     My hands were also sore but in the morning only. My RF is 240 however my hands show no symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. I have recently been to a nutritionist who tested my blood and I was low in calcium and vitamin D. Since I've been taking vitamin D my hands have not hurt at all and this is been for two months now 

    • rosielolo
      rosielolo Mollyjr

      Posted

      Hi Molly,

      My RF is a low positive is what my doctor said the ANA is 1:80 all these numbers are another language to me. I have also started to take vitamin D but no noticeable change yet.

    • linda23834
      linda23834 Mollyjr

      Posted

      I had a vitamin D deficiency Molly, I had meds. It helped, but the pain didn't go. That was a year ago. Worth a try though. It can cause a lot of problems.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.