Its so hard to say if it could be RA or not. Every person with RA experiences different things. Just know that a lot of people with RA have absolutely normal bloodwork...especially in the beginning. You know your body...so if you feel something is wrong then keep pursuing it. It takes some of us a long time, even years, before a diagnosis is made. For myself, it was two years.

Getting in to see a rheumy (rheumatologist) is important. You should start researching the ones in your area. Also, start keeping track of our labwork and any xrays, MRI's etc. Ideally, having an MRI of your hands/wrists, feet/ankles is a good place to start with getting a diagnosis. Xrays typically won't show bone erosion until it's more severe. MRI's are more likely to show minor erosions.

Hang in there!

I know the feeling about drs/tests sometimes never coming up with answers-you get scared and feel that there is no hope of getting better//but we have to hang in there and hope for a miracle basically...that the right dr will come along with the right answers-just have to keep searching for that right dr!

I'm sorry you are having troubles and no answers as of yet. That is very frustrating. Obviously, I ma not a doctor and even a doctor can't diagnose you from a post but here are my thoughts.

Educate yourself as much as possible on RA and other similar diseases. An educated patient will get better care simply by asking the right questions. Keep a journal of you pain each day. Indicate what you are doing, what helps, and what makes things worse.

Learn what tests you should be having. Sed rate and ESR are the same thing. If being worked up for RA you should also have a CBC, RF, Anti-CCP, C-RP and possibly and ANA . You can learn about all of these by googling (blood work for rhuematoid arthritis). Know that there does not always have to be swelling for a person to have RA and blood work may be all negative.

Keep bugging you doctor until you get answers. It may not be RA but you know something is wrong. Don't give up.

Make sure your rheumy knows you have a family history of RA. That's really important.

Thank you so much for the replies! My doctor told me to stop working nights asap. I work 7p to 7a. I hate to go to days but dr thinks its important. Your suggestions very helpful. I am waiting on the rf and ccp lab....or is it cpp? Idk. M

I've had RA for 7 years and for 90% of that time my blood work has been totally normal. Only one very nuanced rheumatologist has felt notable swelling. Most of my doctors are only comfortable calling it autoimmune arthritis because prednisone makes me feel completely "normal" and DMARDs seem to help.

If the anti-inflammatory is making you feel better, it might be worth asking to try a diagnostic prednisone burst to see if it makes you feel fantastic. If it does, don't stop seeing docs until you have a rheumy you feel comfortable with. And definitely mention your family history of RA, it's super important.

Hope you find some answers and relief.

Thank you for sharing.. its not that i want that diagnosis but you know when something is wrong.. i asked primary dr for prednisone ....she refused. I guess i need her to refer me to rheumy.. M

Wishing you much luck
hoping you have a very good rheumy .if you feel doubtful get a second opinion ..my rheumy dod MRI's and vectored da test to seal the dealmy great grandmother had RA..i guess it can skip a generation..but to try to figure how and why you have it ,, if you do..there is no exact answer i uses fibro goes along with it ..good luck to you .
Tami