Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hi all, thank you for all you do. I have been reading lots and decided to join.
A bit of background; I'm 30, active but overweight, very physically demanding job for 12yrs. For about 4 months I have been experiencing increased stiffness and pain in joints in hands. Symmetrical.
Pain in feet and knees, extreme fatigue (which good lord, I'm sorry people deal with that) night sweats and fevers and swelling of hands.
Initially ESR was 22 and 23, no RA factor, but ultrasound on hands came back hot on both hands first 2 fingers and thumbs.
GP suspects early rheumatoid, so I had my first rheumatologist appt Thursday which was a cancellation.
It was good, got along great, he shops at my store, then I got in the gown and he barely examined me.
Proceeded to say I had normal bloodwork and ultrasound and no swelling. Though with my family Dr for 3 months we've discussed all findings and I have all results saying the opposite and my right hand in particular was more swollen and red that day.
He says he thinks I have Anthragias (spelling?) But I told him that pain is least of my concerns compared to stiffness and weakness.
Wanted to give me anti-inflammatory meds (but I have no swelling?)
Very confused and wondering how others initial appts went?
Should I monitor and get another opinion?
I am seeing GP in one week. I have increased burning sensation in palms that keeps me up, and a feeling of knots in my forearm muscles. Have also developed a nodule on my middle finger that rheumatologist didn't look at when I brought it up.
Yuck all around, any info or guidance is welcome... I'm feeling lost. I definitely don't want RA but I need to know how to manage my life if things are progressing.
Much love to all.
M
You need to go to someone else. You must be classed as sero-negative, or perhaps some other auto-immune disease. Certainly, you have some diverse symptoms indicative of treatment.
The sooner you get diagnosed and treated, the less severe whatever auto-immune disease you have will be.
Let us know if you find a better rheumatologist. I get really riled when I hear of people being rejected because their numbers are 0, when their symptoms show they are sick, and need treatment.
But I'm glad to know I can keep pressing and see someone else. I'm very happy with my GP and thankfully he's a huge advocate for me and we see each other regularly.
I am wondering if previously before I finally got a referral if that was a small initial flare and the timing is just off... but who knows.
Thank you again! I'll keep in touch. What a wonderful community this is!
I'm in the very beginning stages of my "auto-immune disease" as well. My Rheumatologist believes I have sero-negative RA based on symptoms, x-rays, and CRP levels. I ended up getting a second opinion because I wanted to be sure and the second Internal Medicine/RA doctor told me he "wasn't sure" it was RA but definitely thinks it's some kind of inflammatory disease. The moral of the story is, these crazy inflammatory auto-immune diseases are so very hard to pin-point when you don't have all the "tell-tale" blood work and definitive symptoms. It's kind of like navigating in the dark without a flashlight. It's absolutely frustrating and tiring. And, I go through stages of not caring anymore, to getting angry, to web-searching for help, to sadness, and then back through the cycle again.
I've been on Plaquenil since September and my hands/swelling/burning has gotten better. My fatigue is still a problem but it's not 100% extreme and everyday like it used to be. I take advantage of days that I have more energy and get as much done as I can. And then on days where I can't do much, I listen to my body and rest.
Over the last year, I have learned to surrender to my body and let the big guy upstairs take the reigns, not much else we can do. At some point, I'm hopeful I will have a clear disease path and know exactly what is going on in my body. Until then, I'm holding on for dear life and praying God will guide me through.
Good luck to you and reach out any time. We're all here for you!
Beth