Could I have Rheumatoid Arthritis??

If you wake up one morning and can't move you will know you have RA. Wait for future signs. Blood tests should tell you. Good to have seen a rhuatoid arthritis dr already

Hi Rose, it's tough when you don't have a definite diagnosis to come to terms with. I was first diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 4 years ago. I hadn't heard of it even though I'm a registered nurse and, I suppose, I was initially in a bit of denial as I don't really have psoriasis, only what I thought was a dry scalp. Anyway, that was then. I had severe pain first in one joint which would resolve only to reappear in another. It was bizarre but somewhere from way back in my nurse training I recalled 'flitting joint pain' and so my journey began. It seems a very long time to see a rheumatologist. Did you say you are in Canada? Are there no guidelines you can refer to? Here in England we have NICE guidelines. I tell you this as it may provide you with some timescales and other information you may find useful. Just google NICE Guidelines Rheumatoid Arthritis. I think it's  clinical guideline 79. 

?As I said 'my journey' (ugh!) started about 4 years ago.  It's been a bit of a roller coaster as  many others appear to be. The meds can be pretty effective in relieving your symptoms but are also pretty toxic with lots of side effects. It's been somewhat  therapeutic sharing experience with others on this forum who actually understand. Best wishes, Carol

i had been having niggling pains in wrists and hands for about two years. I was told I had carpel tunnel syndrome in both wrists. Then about SIX months ago I started to get worse and I had blood works which showed RF and ANA positive like you. Then in Nov last year I got a really bad cold followed by chest infection this went on for almost three months I was exhausted after 3 courses of antibiotics I found I was not recovering. The pains in my hands wrists shoulders knees got really bad. Blood work showed some inflammation but GP said it was nothing to worry about told me to go home and rest and not worry about it. A few days later I could not move I was in agony and called a private Consultant rheumatologist who saw me a few days later he checked my joints and told me all my symptoms were text book RA put me on steroids immediately. He carried out more tests and I got results yesterday inflammation in blood works really high and I will start on methotrexate next week. The consultant did explain to me that once we get these pains we have a very short period of time to hit the disease aggressively so please push your GP to send you urgently for an appointment. I was in agony but can move but my immunity has been compromised and I pick up colds and coughs very easily. I would tell anyone who has these pains to push for urgent appointment because consultant told me  once pains start the joints start to get damaged and this can be even more painful and more difficult to control. 

I hope  you will be ok and get to see someone quickly. Good luck