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Suspected RA

Posted , 11 users are following.

kay69104
kay69104

Hi all.  So for some time now I've been experiencing sore soles of feet when I get up, then I started with sore wrists, elbows and now find making a fist with both hands difficult and painful.  There's stiffness in all these joints and occasionally a snap moment of pins and needles in hands.

I also suffer from renal tubular acidosis and there is a known link  to RA with this condition.

I began the investigation process today.  However, the one thing that is missing is swelling.

Has anybody here been diagnosed with RA without swelling?  I'm worrying so much and don't want to if it's likely to be osteo.

Please let me know if you've experienced symptoms like me and been positively diagnosed but not had significant swelling.

Thank you 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Gloria814
    Gloria814 kay69104

    Posted

       I have been diagnosed with RA and have no swelling.  That was two yrs ago and the same except the 3rd finger of my one hand has some slight swelling.   The diagnosis was made with xrays of my hands and followed up by MRI of hands.   My blood test is RA neg but other results were slightly positive.    RA mostly involves joint pain in same joints on the left and right side.  Although I have right foot but not left involved at present

       You could have osteo but from what you are reporting it most likely is RA.   But the doctor is the one to make the correct diagnosis

       Best wishes,

  • cherylnanny
    cherylnanny kay69104

    Posted

    Hi Kay. I started with all of the above ! The not being able to make a fist was the worst thing ever. I also didn't have any swelling to see, but internally my joint tissue was being attacked. On a positive note, my feet were the first to get better once diagnosed. Wear really really comfortable flats always until you get to the bottom of this, and get a referral asap to a Rheumatologist. Good luck and keep posting x

  • Justgettinby
    Justgettinby kay69104

    Posted

    Hi Kay. I never have had much for swelling in any of my affected joints. Equally interesting is that my lab tests for inflammation. Are always normal too. The only 2 tests that are abnormal are the rheumatoid factor, and CCP AB - both very highly abnormal. Even whend I've been at my worst and could barely walk, or hold a cup this has been the. As with me. I do have some nodules and permanent wrist damage that can be seen and I get some redness on some joints. But swelling? Nope. This can be frustating tho, as my rheumatologist sometimes has a hard time seeing what I'm feelng... such is RA - fruatrating.

    Best to you on your journey to find answers.

    • Nu2this
      Nu2this Justgettinby

      Posted

      Hi Justgettinby,

      Something in what you mentioned in your response to kay has me a bit intrigued. You said that your inflammation come back normal on your test but your Rheumotoid factor is abnormal. I thought that inflammation was a part of RA. Am I wrong? My sedmentation levels are always high. Can you please tell me what CCP is?

      Thanks

    • Justgettinby
      Justgettinby Nu2this

      Posted

      It is, and I do get very inflamed, the numbers just don't show it and I also do not get noticeable swelling unless I'm extremely inflamed. The CCP test is checking for antibodies specific to RA - cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP). It helps diagnose RA.

  • Debra1954
    Debra1954 kay69104

    Posted

    I was diagnosed about 8 yrs ago now and never had any swelling. The rheumatoid factor was very high and I was sero-positive. I have not had any visible swelling over those years until a few months ago my right foot and ankle started to swell. I have been off meds for over a year due to being in remission so just hope this recent swelling is not due to that. So the answer is yes you can have RA without swelling although of course that could change over the years.
  • elle09679
    elle09679 kay69104

    Posted

    Hi Kay

    I have seropositive RA but for the first few years did not get any swelling (I now get a bit). I also initially struggled with the sole of my feet but with treatment, that aspect has mainly gone. 

    I hope things become clearer for you soon

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