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Not sure what's going on. Please help

Posted , 8 users are following.

nashea_06842
nashea_06842

Hi guys please help.

I'm a 22 year old woman who has been suffering from joint pain. Two months ago I woke up and couldn't straighten my right knee. It was stiff and swollen and when I tried to walk and buckled . I went to my GP who referred me to a Rheumatology team. Two week later I woke up with a stiff and swollen right index finger. I got a same day appointment where a Doctor told me it seems like arthritis, I was given naproxen and blood tests. These tests where ESR, CRP, full blood count, ANA and ferritin.

The results came back. I was told everything was okay apart from the ESR which was 42 (suppose to be up to 12).

Show a Rhem who took me I have stiffness in my joints. Said it was Early Arthritic disease and said a prescription was sent to myGP which I have to pick up. I was also told that 3 out of 13 factors were positive on the ANA test which shows it's an autoimmune disease. My issues are 3-4 years ago I have the same finger pain my my left middle finger, I went to my GP( who I no longer go to) and he said it wasn't arthritis. I have had my hips lock up but it was normally around my period so I passed it off as lady problems. All the signs are pointing to RA and I feel let down by my original GP for not spotting it sooner As I have read that early treatment is the best course of action. I feel depressed and anxiety about the lack of clarity.

What do you guys think. The only other symptom is fatigue

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • mary76396
    mary76396 nashea_06842

    Posted

    Hi Nashea I went to various docs for about four years with various symptoms from aches and pains to absolute fatigue and stiff joints. They knew it was an auto immune of some sort and got sent to rheumatologists, neurologists (my Daughter has MS and they thought I might have the same) and even a gastroenterologist. Not once did they come up with R A and I began to think I was a hypercondraic! I was finally diagnosed a year ago and it is now classed as chronic. I do wonder if they had sorted it earlier would it have been this bad? I suppose I will never know now.
    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 mary76396

      Posted

      Did you suffer from joint damage as a result of a late diagnosis? I am worried that I may have some damage .
    • mary76396
      mary76396 nashea_06842

      Posted

      I am not sure Nashea, I have hard lumps on ankles, elbow and wrist but my Rheumy only checks my wrist. I supposed it didn't matter as it was confirmed RA and any damage will not improve so she concentrates on reducing pain and inflammation. I have finally got the meds right now. I take MTX tablets but only 10mg due to liver damage, Cimzia injections each fortnight and predislonone if I get a flare. Hopefully I can minimise any further damage and it's so good to be able to get out of bed without hobbling around like an old lady or get out of a chair and walk without having to wait for my hips to unfold first. 

    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 mary76396

      Posted

      That's good news. I believe the lack of certainty is making me worried . I am going to my GP tomorrow so hopefully I will get some piece of mind .

  • lynn15111
    lynn15111 nashea_06842

    Posted

    Your serology tests certainly point to RA, although some do not have a positive RA factor, it is still RA.  They will likely have you start on Methyltrexate and probably get the inflammation under control with pregnisone.  Another likely med is sulfasalazine, which is also an anti-inflammatory.  In time if you have additional joints becoming affected, you will be evaluated for biologicals which most people can't afford unless they have a good insurance.  But biologicals are the only meds to truly stop it's progression.  3-4 years is not a long time but everyone's degree of severity is individual.  I had RA for 10 years before being able to go on bilogicals.  

    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 lynn15111

      Posted

      Thanks for you help. I know that the medication that was prescribed was sulfasalazine alongside naproxen. I am going to speak to my GP on Wednesday to speak further on the medication .
    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842

      Posted

      Right now I can't bend my elbows. The left one was a fatty lump around and just above the elbow. My ankles are now affect and so are my shoulders . I will speak to the GP about referring me to another Rheumatologist and about the biologics.

  • lynn15111
    lynn15111 nashea_06842

    Posted

    Sounds like RA.  What meds did the RA doc prescribe?  Keep a diary of your symptoms so it helps the doctor know what is working for you.  I had to wait 10 years before getting on good medication.  
    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 lynn15111

      Posted

      I called up the clinic and was told I was prescribed sulfasalazine alongside my naproxen, which hasn't helped with pain

    • lynn15111
      lynn15111 nashea_06842

      Posted

      Sounds like you need a steroid like pregnisone because the inflammation is not responding to the naproxin.  It will help with the pain also.  
  • icab1995
    icab1995 nashea_06842

    Posted

    hey girlie, i am going throught something really similar with my RA, i am 21 years old and im "zero-negative" meaning it doesnt show on my blood tests, but my hands are deformed and so are my feet. they are aching just typing in the computer, today is my third day on prednisone and i dont feel the effects yet but i have visited around 8 doctors and some say i do have arthritis, some say i dont. but the best you can do is continue visiting more doctors, google more info, reach out to as many people as you can, know that youre not alone and have faith!! also, doctors might wanna have you believe they know the truth to everything, or the solution, but just because they think there isnt a cure for what you have doesnt mean it doesnt exist. also, food is key!! pay attention to the foods that cause you inflamation, in my case its alcohol, meats and dairy. write it down, visualize yourself as healthy as youd like to be and you will get there. there is a brighter way ahead!!!

    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 icab1995

      Posted

      Thanks it's nice to know that I'm not alone . This could not have come at a worse time as I'm starting my masters in October and am

      Worried about how would I cope . My mum said I can use the talk to type function on my Mac . I can't walk up stairs so I going to have to talk a bus instead of train, which will take 2 hours instead of 45 mins. I was hoping my pain would go by the time I start but I don't think it will .

  • hawaiichick808
    hawaiichick808 nashea_06842

    Posted

    Hi,

    Im 26 and found out a few months ago that I was diagnosed with RA. I dont know too much about RA just yet, but I had some similar things happen to me before I actually went to a doctor.

    I've had just started to get myself back into shape and been running/jogging for a little over a year. Few months ago (before I got checked) I was waking up with swollen fingers/knuckles, toes and the ball of my feet were always so sore where I couldn't hardly walk.

    Nowadays I'm always tired (not like the energy I had before). I still have some aches in my feet and hands (knuckles) but I'm on sulfasalazine and some time I take prednosone.

    You're not alone. Most days I don't feel like my normal self because im always so sore and tired. But there are a lot of people that will help with question you might not be able to ask your doctor right away about.

    I hope you are able to find the right medicine so your not sore.

    Good luck & Take care!

    • nashea_06842
      nashea_06842 hawaiichick808

      Posted

      Thanks for the kind words of advice . I think that the lack of clarity and me staring a MA course is added to my stress.

      I will see what the Doc is saying tomorrow. Hope your feeling better too.

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