Seeking general advise on RA.
Posted , 4 users are following.
Dear all
Can anyone shed some light on a mystry.
Undoubtably I do have an Autoimmune condition, which I suspect began following successful cancer treatment in 2014. But have been suffering significantly since October last year, being the sudden onset of symptoms which knocked me off my feet.
The issue still carries on today, but is less severe then it was back in October however more noticeably is the pains in the joints as well as this pesky fatigue that never goes away.
Having rulled out the majority of causes, discovering that I have a raised LDH inflammation marker my GP was suspecting something along the lines of a chronic fatigue related issue. Then later I developed a face rash and he changed his opinion towards Lupus. later I was tested by the GP which was negative yet he still suspects Lupus. At present we're waiting for a referal.
Putting aside the huge list of symptoms which do closely match Lupus. except for the hairloss and mouth ulcers (at present)
I do not have any family medical history of Lupus but there is a lot of RA which runs in the family. Im now starting to think its could be that but cannot explain the face rash.
The rash is identical to the Malar/butterfly rash associated with Lupus. but I am trying to find out if you can still get a similar rash with RA?
its been over 4 months and no treatment. it feels as though my joints in my Knees and Hands are getting worst by the day and even trying to open the coffee jar has become an issue.
Secondly to the face rash question. Can anyone also advise me if the medication that the doctors put you on will help with overall mobility improvements.
Sorry to plurb
regards
Andy
0 likes, 7 replies
andrew_08416
Posted
Just focusing on the legs.
When the flare started the first 6-7 weeks my muscles in particular both my legs felt like a burning scorching pain. The pain was severe that I didnt notice any joint pain until the burning sensation started to disapate. with it came the knee joint pain (both sides), walking became difficult with slow movement and difficulty climbing the stairs.
Today the muscle pain is a dull ache most of the time, with an occasional burn but not scorching. The knees however hurt all the time, I wobble a lot and it feels that my knees cannot often support the weight.
Is that also typical of an RA flare?
many thanks
Andy
Rowbirdie andrew_08416
Posted
i had rosacea ( reddening across cheeks) diagnosed 6 months before joint problems began. I asked my gp if it could be lupus , so he ran some blood tests which showed I needed to be referred to a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with RA. Actually the rosacea disappeared as I used RA meds.
Make of that what you will !! I can't explain it except I think auto immune responses must be linked!
I think all my blood tests were positive although you can be sero negative With RA diagnosis. Hopefully your referral to a rheumatologist will unpick your symptoms.
Just to keep you positive , 2 years later I am doing really well on a cocktail of meds- almost no joint pain from being hardly able to move around or do stuff for myself, although it did take about 9 months to find what works for me and I have to pace myself.
Hope you get some answers soon, and a plan to move forward.
andrew_08416 Rowbirdie
Posted
my rash didnt appear until late in the day, begining of January and just when the muscle burning started to calm down. I know there's a connection it wasnt until the muscle burning calmed that I started noticing the joint pains, prior to that I thought it was just the muscles now the muscles are a dull ache the joint pain is more noticeable.
I also thought of Rosacea, but dissmissed it as mine covers both cheecks and nose. The images I've seen of Rosacea also covers the chin and forehead. was this the same with you?
I'm really pleased and thank you for your comment on joint pain. It's one of my concerns losing the effective use of your hands especially as I intend to use them in a forwarding career. which I've been working towards long before this happened.
I think deep down I'm also a little gutted that this is happening.
I really appreciate your response.
Rowbirdie andrew_08416
Posted
Yes it is gutting - esp in early stages of diagnosis when you just don't know what it will all involve.
Everyone is different, so don't assume the worst.
keep us updated .
andrew_08416 Rowbirdie
Posted
Maybe I shouldn't dismiss Rosacea after all then.
I will definitely keep you updated.
barbara58180 andrew_08416
Posted
The body is so weird.
Good Luck. I hope you get answers. And most of all, relief.
andrew_08416 barbara58180
Posted
Been reading a great deal online and there are arguments both for and against that RA is herridatory. but most seem to agree if you have a family history of any Auto immune disease then that is supposed to increase the chances.
Yes the body is a strange thing.
x