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...

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Is this RA or something else

mckvirginia
mckvirginia

Today we had a church lunch and I brought a crock pot of soup. I had a lot of trouble carrying it. It wasn't fatigue, exactly, I just felt weak. Like it was too heavy. I usually carry 4 times that much just going to work every day. I've noticed this happens fairly frequently. Like I can have a normal work day, get home, and then I just can't lift my bags or move something from the counter. My hands always hurt, every day, that didnt help.  But it wasn't even that.  


The other thing that happens is I'll be having  a "normal" day, meaning not flaring, and then I hit a wall....just can't take another activity, conversation, phone call, request from my kids, etc. I'm afraid it is my kids who get the brunt of my short temper at that time.  That bothers me too. I get grumpy and impatient. It isn't their faults, but I don't know when the wall is coming, I just slam right into it.

californialynn
californialynn
Sounds like RA to me. Sucks, doesn't it?
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
Have you seen a doctor? That would be your next step, and hopefully to get a firm diagnosis and then start on the meds that help.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Sorry if I missed a previous post. Have you been diagnosed? Are you on medication? If so, what.

Fatigue is a big part of RA. fatigue makes you cranky when you don't get sufficient sleep and rest. Don't try to be superwoman. Recognize and accept - nay, embrace - your limitations!! You and everyone around you will be happier. For me sleep is crucial...moreso than diet or weather! I need 9-10 hours a night!
mckvirginia
mckvirginia
I'm not diagnosed yet, have been to rheumatologist for 1 1/2 years....referred by PCP who suspected RA. Blood tests all negative at the 1st rheumatologist visit but 1 year later had pos ANA. Prescribed naproxen and meloxicam, no effect, and told to come back in March.

After much encouragement from this board, I decided to make an earlier appt with the rheumatologist. I've been playing phone tag and got a message in the client portal online. When I went to look on it, I notice the dx they have for me is "arthralgia, unspecified joint."

I dx people in mental health, so I understand the dx process, it is based on coding in a pre-categorized list of billing options. But I gotta say, when I can't make a fist or snap my fingers, when I feel like I need a walker to get out of the tub at 44 years old, when I can't carry a crock pot to church, when I have to tell my kids not to "hurt me" when they hug me, "arthralgia, unspecified joint" feels like a kick in the teeth!
Zee
Zee
Can empathise with your frustration re diagnosis. I waited 2 years (with positive bloods, constant fatigue and intermittant but severe joint pain) before the joint pain became widespread, constant and debilitating. THEN it showed up on the ultrasound and my joints actually looked swollen during an appointment. I got the diagnosis and the DMARDS. which are helping.
Just wondered how you are and if you got an earlier appointment?