I am actually wondering if this could be Fibromyalgia. Or could it be a nerve piched in the spine. I spent a week in hospital for tests 2 months ago for the RA and had so many X rays done but they didn't give them to me when i left. Not even my home rheumy has them.

I don't have tendon problems on the level your describing, but the RA has affected my tendons in various places. The feel tight and painful.

That's not much help, but mostly I was just writing to say sorry you're experiencing so much pain, and then extra pain! Could you get a second opinion? I do remember when I was first diagnosed I get some seriously inflamed tendons and/or muscles from climbing stairs and I was given muscle relaxants. I took them at night before bed and they helped a lot and I haven't had that specific problem since then. Can you ask your rheumatologist (or perhaps seek a pain management specialist, as I've heard some people mention) to give you different options just for pain management, apart from the disease-modifying meds? I hope you can find some relief soon!

Thankyou for these replies. My rheumy said i would need an MRI but didin't prescribe it..Oh my it's such a long story. After spending 5 days in the hospital for tests they forgot to send all my written results to my rheumy..So he got them two months later. I had seen him just before he received them and so spent the whole appointment giving him it all verbally. Then when i had some questions he sais we couldn't waste time talking !! bla bla bla. i would sometimes like to kick him in the chin Under his desk !! So i saw my gp and she says it's probably the RA abnd gave me an ani inflammatory patch 'that doesn't work). I see her again Friday with thoracic scan results as i had a chest infection and am due to start Simponi at the end of this month. I just want a diagnosis. It's worrying not to have one. Just not to know.
Sorry if this all sounds confusing. I'v actually cut it short
Huggs all
Pam

I might suggest speaking to your drs nurse-even sending the dr a letter (since he was too busy when you saw him in person) Have to get tests done to rule out and find out what the underlying cause(s) are

If he stated an MRI was needed then he needs to put an order in.
Sometimes doctors fail to use or apply common sense.
I'm no doctor but I think the goal would be to get a solid diagnosis & treat.
That's all your asking for. If RA is the cause use what tools or diagnostic testing is available to rule other causes out or confirm it's Caused from your RA.
Patch isn't working so perhaps calling the office & informing them.
Let them know it's to much to wait till your next appointment.
Then get a plan on how to best approach him about further investigating the cause & treatment.

Hey your the patient & you have a right to want an answer & treatment.
Sounds painful. I can say I hurt in more then just the joints.
So much to learn about RA & yet we hear it here & not from the specialists we pay.

He may not be a good fit for you. If he fails to address your concerns then it may be time for a new doctor.
At the least if he's not going to look any further he can refer you to a doctor who will & who can manage your pain.

I just don't get some doctors. Of course they are busy but patients come in for a reason.
Sammy

Yes it's right i need to put my foot down. I am going to move to the South of France sometimes this year. We live near paris so when our house is sold we go so i know i'm going to change docs. That's why i'm hanging on to these ones. But the pain is just getting me down. i mean i am used to pain with RA but this is new and so is frightening.....i'm like " what is happening now?" I am going to demande an MRI. I need to get to the bottom of this. I have put up my prednisone, tripled it in fact. From 5mg to 15 mg. It seems to help a little and will give me a needed rest from so much pain even if i still have some. i can't imagine a pain free life so i'm not expecting total relief ever. just a livable, though not completely able life. I knwo you all understand me on here that's why i'v come ranting. i'm so greatful for all your understanding. I hope the Simponi injections will help.
Pam

Pam, I don't remember how definitive your RA diagnosis is. I turned out to have psoriatic arthritis, a close cousin. One big difference is that PsA hits tendons as well as joints.

Consulting with another rheumatologist might be a good idea. Maybe a little vacation to the south now, maybe along the Mediterranean, to check out the rheumys in the area? Side trip over to Monaco & San Remo? A few days on the coast? (Can I come with you???)

Haha altoclef. if it were possible yes you are welcome to come with us. But we will be moving to the South west, Bordeaux area. Back to the subject though........I have had RA for 27 years and it has been confirmed all those ye

Ooops message went off accidently...continued.......
years ago. I have blood tests every 4 months so i'm pretty sure of the diagnosis. I went back to my gp today after having a thoracic scan in prep for the biologics and i have a small part of lung dilated which will have to be watched carefully... i'm wondering how amny people probably have that and never know. I'v just had so many exams that they find all these things. Does the RPSoriasis affect the skin? I don't know what it is.

Most people with PsA have some skin or nail psoriasis, yes, but not all. Sometimes the joints act up before the skin does, but it's usually the other way around. A family history of psoriasis can lead to a diagnosis in a patient who does not have skin symptoms.

PsA and RA were originally all thought to be the same disease, but they split off in the '70s.

I have had tendon pain in my wrist and thumb areas in both hands.....