Do I need a second opinion?

Hello alexandra

I am 60 yrs old or (young) now and ive had R.A. for 18 yrs so slightly older than you when starting with pain etc. It took 2 yrs of messing about before i was put on humira injections with methotrexate. And my painkillers codeine and parecetomol. It was a wonderdrug for me after trials i was first person in cumbria on it. From bedridden to back at work in building trade in 3 weeks unbelievable eh. But true. Im now looking for a change as my body has become used to drug so not effective. Its the pain thats worst so looking now at something that has good reviews.CBD oil but the proper tackle not from shops etc. So hetes hopeing. In answer to your question yes you do need a 2nd opinion but go private by ( recommendation) then if consultant is any good you'l go straight to NHS. Dont be fobbed off. Stand your ground fight your corner but most of all stay positive and as hard as it is keep an iron will. You will get better. Take care and stay safe

Garry

Well this is exactly me, I'm 34 too but at 32 I started with a swollen knee then it disappeared no reason why my mum had RA my only test positive was anti ccp at 34 all other results negative they've said the same to me e.g as long as I don't have swollen joints don't worry do u have RA in your family ? 

No but I feel tired easily and when I get a cold or run down I literally feel like I've regularly got the flu ...I'm sure it's the ccp, I also have started with some throbbing in arms and legs etc which is worse at night at times I wonder if I have fibro, my mum has severe RA but I'm fortunate I see the same rheumatologist as her. I know certain things like gluten wheat and coffee make me feel worse I hope this helps but I only take neurofen now and again I hate the thought of meds x

Have you tried eliminating the inflammatory foods from your diet? This might sound like a big call but i believe diet plays a big part in it. (Remember doctors dont study this aspect of health so they dont have any expertise in this area, even though they say they know diet makes no difference in RA. Strikes me as odd!) . Removing grains, seed oils and nightshade vegetables as well as all processed foods from your diet for a few days may well give you some improvements. Eat simply. Dairy would be the next foods to remove if that doesn't help. Eat more animal fat from grassfed animals (for omegsa 3 fatty acids , conventional grown meat is not a healthy choice too many omega 6 fatty acids - they are the inflammatory guys) . Don't be scared it won't make you fat. I've had a high fat diet for 8 years and I'm slim and toned and i never *work out* (previously I've weighed close to 90kg, I'm now 59kg) this is what happens when your food is right for your body. Animal fat and coconut oil are best for cooking. Olive hemp or flaxseed oil for dressings . Diet change definitely helped in my case and for other folk I know that did this :-) stay away from fruit for a few days also, too much fructose (which is not good when you're inflamed) and caffeine and alcohol. But don't be scared to eat animal fat and protein. It's healing to the body. I recommend the Weston H Price foundation website for some good information regarding diet. BTW I didn't need to take their drugs at all, I've been pain free since the diet which also fixed my IBS and low back pain. Good luck with it all !