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Diagnosis

Posted , 6 users are following.

elle09679
elle09679

Hi

I'm driving myself a bit potty over whether I've been diagnosed correctly. I've got RF 75, anti ccp 40, high ESR and high CRP. I've been diagnosed with RA and started on MTX which is helping loads. The thing I don't understand is that My joints don't visibly swell very much but I get lots of flares in hands feet and elbows. Do you think they've got it wrong. The rheumatologist seemed quite certain but everyone talks about swelling?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • gillian_25383
    gillian_25383 elle09679

    Posted

    I don't have visible swelling either but do have the very tender joints.Mind you I also have OA and PMR
  • julielou01
    julielou01 elle09679

    Posted

    Apart from my fingers I dont have any visible swelling either, neither does my dad who has RA,,Great to hear your meds are helping
  • Jayne7831
    Jayne7831 elle09679

    Posted

    Diagnosed in the last 6 months...the only visible swelling I had is one knuckle on one hand.  My cpp was over 200.  I too am doing well on MTX and my rheumy tells me I am one of the lucky ones. i am only on 12.5 but will be moved up to 15 next week and I hope I can stay there.  Maybe they caught your case very early which caused the cpp to be not so elevated.  Good luck!
    • elle09679
      elle09679 Jayne7831

      Posted

      Thanks, very reassuring to know I'm not alone in having little swelling. I think up to 39 is weak positive and 40+ is proper positive so just in that bracket.
  • penny55083
    penny55083 elle09679

    Posted

    I would like to agree with the other respondants. I had no swelling in my joints apart from one side of my face, bizarrely. It stopped me getting a diagnosis of RA although I was sure that I had it. It was only after 18 months without treatment that my hands, feet and knees swelled dramatically and the immunologist I was seeing decided to do an anti ccp test , which was 300, and immediately referred me to the rheumatologist with methotrexate and prednisolone as my medication. The improvement was dramatic. The swelling rapidly disappeared and over the last 6 years I have only had an occasional hand joint swelling after eating chocolate cake! I work, walk, swim and garden without pain most of the time. I hope you will be as lucky as me. Good luck.
    • Jayne7831
      Jayne7831 penny55083

      Posted

      After six years what meds are you on now?  I ask because recently diagnosed qand having  excellent results from methotrexate.  Wondering how long this can last.
    • penny55083
      penny55083 Jayne7831

      Posted

      Hi Jayne, I'm on 10mg of methotrexate weekly with folic acid and nothing else.  If I have pain I take paracetamol or occasionally cocodymol and a hot bath, early night and most of the time it has gone by the morning. I'm fitter than most of my friends who do not have RA but I need to eat well and keep fit. Rubbish food and laziness equals pain for me but that's my own fault. If someone had told me 6 years ago that I would be like I am now it would have saved a lot of heartache. I thought I would be crippled and I'm not! I have become more self aware and have learned a lot about how it affects me and how to keep well but I was lucky and methotrexate works for me. Good luck and keep goingsmile
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