So you have a positive rheumatoid factor test, pain in typical joints bilaterally, and because your skin isn't hot and red or swollen per their finger feeling, they said it isn't ra? Is this statement correct? Did this happen? Confirm please.

Happens all the time. Doesn't mean it's right, though. Any other rheumys in the area?

yes that is a quote...."you have no red swollen joints so I can't make the diagnose of RA but with your history you are a high risk for it".
that is why I am confused because I know my blood test was positive and I know how I feel. I even told my husband before the appointment if this is not RA then OK but I know something is very wrong with me!
So could the doc be wrong?
again thank you for listening to me!!!!

THANK YOU JEN!
I never thought fibro was even real. like you said it was what they would blame when people complained all the time.
it seems by what I have been reading about fibro is that the symptoms are similar to RA....by that I mean joint pain or nerve pain and really terrible fatigue. I have days that it is hard to move. of course anything that comes against me hits a little harder because of the Addison's disease. I always say I don't have the adrenal glands to handle things...haha.
i appreciate your comments!! you really seem to know a lot about fibro and I don't know anybody else who does.....so thanks again.

I'm unfamiliar with fibro. Anyont with awesome links to fibro trigger points for the op, for reference to their own pain? So sorry op. Doesn't matter, pain is pain and I can empathize totally with that. Well it does matter in all honesty, matters in terms of treatment and peace of mind.So sorry for your dimemm!!!

Dilemma. Sorry for my lack of spell check...darn nonsmart phone!

my RF was positive and the CCP was within normal limits. the doc didn't do any type of imaging at all. he just looked at my joints and moved them. he took my history and asked me many questions. the only other blood test that was abnormal was I had low vitamin D.
thank you for all the information!!!! I very much appreciate it.

I have an issue with the whole Fibro and RA thing. Mainly because I was dx'd with Fibro about 10 years before I was dx'd with RA. The interesting thing is that I had several doctors along the way say that they were pretty sure I'd end up developing RA or Lupus. Heck, even the first Rheumatologist I saw that gave me the Fibro dx said that I had arthritis in my thumbs and a couple of fingers as well. I just wonder if I had been treated for RA back then, if it would have still gotten to this level of disability, especially while still in my 30s. I can't prove or change it, but it does make me wonder about others who are given a Fibro dx since early, aggressive treatment is so important in RA.

I guess the main things I'd suggest keeping an eye on are symptoms that don't seem like "classic" Fibro. For me, I had horrible hand and foot pain and stiffness in the mornings that lasted much more than 30 minutes from day 1. My hands would also swell, but they wouldn't turn red. And I even developed a nodule that no one paid any attention to because I didn't have the more "classic" RA symptoms or tests. It would even turn red and hurt a great deal at times, but it was just ignored regardless of how many times I would point it out.

I was just so young, and didn't know anyone that had anything like it. Plus, knowledge wasn't as easily attainable back then as internet wasn't what it is today. I would definitely urge you to seek a second opinion and if they still stick with the Fibro dx, please just keep an eye on any new or changing symptoms because doctors do like to throw everything from dx on, on top of the Fibro dx.

Sheri,
I'm so sorry for your frustration. My Rheumy is a believer in the red, warm and swollen theory also. Which I don't have a lot of. I guess that can be looked at as a good thing though.
He frustrated me terribly when I first started seeing him and sometimes he still does. The last appointment, he told me that the swelling in my hands was down after telling me for over 2 years that there was no swelling, sheez make up your mind am I swollen or not?
Low vitamin D will cause muscle aches, a supplement is an easy fix to alleviate some of your aches.
My Rheumy did add some Fibro treatment to my medication regime, a low dose antidepressant just at night to help me sleep through. It has helped with my restful sleep and in turn some of my morning issues.
There is a great group on here in the Fibro forum. Check them out they are loaded with knowledge.
I hope you can find some definitive answers soon. I know it isn't always the diagnosis that we want, but it does help that they can finally give what we are feeling a name.
Best of luck to you,
Kim

I want to thank all of you for you insight and helpful suggestions. you all know so much more than I do at this time.....but I am learning.
this is a GREAT group of folks!!! soo glad I found this site!

I'm not up on the Fibro either but there's a large number of people with it. There's also a large center not far from where I reside that specializes strictly in Fibro.

Now as far as the RA. I will get some red swollen joints, but very rare.
Mostly my index finger & toe, but as I said rare.
One of the red flags with me before my DX was my feet. Could barely walk I. The mornings & had to take baby steps. Feet would not bend. Very sore. The hands were the first but I have spinal injuries that cause some of the same symptoms. Not swelling though.

My ribs hurt like mad, which I think is a combo of problems.
I do not understand why the doctors put do much into the red swelling warm joints. My hands would get ice cold. My neck is a major issue. The neck can cause shoulder pain a long pain in other areas. Mine contributes to my rib pain. May be worth checking that neck out.

In your case it would be well worth a second opinion.
There are so many symptoms to this disease that are rarely covered.
Must be hard with existing autos.
Truly hope you get some answers. It's miserable when your left to wonder.
If there is any apparent swelling ever, snap some pictures & let the doctor have a look. Can come & go & of course day of appointment goes into hiding.
Good luck, Sammy

it seems crazy to hope to have a swollen joint so my doc will believe me but I would love to have some help from him.
last night my husband couldn't sleep well because he said I moaned so much all night. my neck and ribs are killers especially at night.
one reason I am going to keep pushing this is because I think if you treat RA early the damage is less.

Sheri, I agree that you need to get a second opinion. If it is RA and is not treated correctly, damage will occur.