Hello and welcome

Actually the diagnosis of RA requires persistent symptoms for at least 6 weeks: Symmetrical joint pain, stiffness, swelling in the small joints mostly. Prolonged morning joint stiffness. Fatigue.
Labs that begin with C -- could have been one of several.
Keep a diary of your symptoms, read through past posts here as you will get a lot of great information and experienced advice.
Know that this disease -- if you have RA -- is a serious disease that affects more than just the joints, and it requires very aggressive treatment.
Keep us posted on your progress and ask questions.

I thought the pain would come and go....

With it in both feet I cannot walk......how long does something like this last.... I am on 2nd day of steroids....naproxen for pain and an antibiotic for my gum infection. I was over zealous flossing.

The pain can last a while - it is different in everyone. Of course when it affects your feet that is so difficult to function. For me, my feet are fine, but it affects my hands and wrists and shoulders.

Steroids can be helpful to give you pain relief in the beginning (and can help with diagnosis) and sometimes intermittently over time with flares. But it is NOT treatment and will not prevent permanent joint destruction or other complications.

You need a referral to a rheumatologist -- your PCM should not be the one making the diagnosis or managing this disease. Keep in mind that can take a long time to get in with someone. I know some people on here will suggest you keep calling to try to get in on a cancellation if you cannot get an appointment soon.

Your mouth symptoms may also be seen with something called Sjogren's which sometimes goes along with RA.

I hope you get relief soon and some answers to your issues and a diagnosis. This diagnosis can take many months or years in some people. You were smart to seek medical attention for your persistent pain.

Mine started with pain on my knees then One morning I couldn't get out of bed. Felt so tired no matter what. Slowly felt pain on my fingers and wrist then elbows, toes to ankles. Stiffness and burning sensation on every small joint. It took me 8months to find out that I have RA.

It's always so tired and aches but I am hopeful.

One of the challenges of this disease is that it presents differently in everyone. You'll need to be your own advocate. Keep a journal and write down all of your symptoms - it will be incredibly helpful when you see a rheumatologist.

Also, the process of getting the right meds can take a frustratingly long time. So get on this sooner rather than later. Sure, you might not have RA - I hope you don't! - but if you do, you don't want any unnecessary delays. Ask for a referral to a rheumatologist and get that appointment scheduled. And good luck to you.

Thank you all!!! I am starting a journal.....great idea as I forget everything.....My mother had RA. But at that time they did not know that much. My cousin has Sogerns. Spelt wrong. Sorry I cannot think straight today. Thank you all again! You are all helping me more than you know.

Welcome. Hoping the steroids give you relief no matter what is causing this.

Dooidlebugs, as always, is RIGHT ON! If it is RA, it's not likely to just come and go on it's own without treatment.... that's OA, not RA!

Get thee to a rheumatologist! The sooner you start treatment the better...

You must be extra worried since your Mom had experience with RA - but you'll be reassured to learn that the treatment has come a long way. Still a long way to go, of course, but your experience will be very different from someone who was diagnosed decades ago.

Thank you all! Went to the ER...cannot take the pain anymore...The doctor... Suggested a Rhumetologist and gave me his number. She upped the dosage of the steroid medication!

She also thinks could be my cholesterol medication...I pray that is what it is. Keeping my fingers crossed. So happy I found this wonderful group!!!

Welcome and hang in there!! I had same problem with cholesterol meds..uhg pain was horrible! The people on here are very knowledgeable, but start researching yourself. Also, that " cant think straight" is part of it.

RA attacked my hands and feet first, with the first being my feet. I have bad deformities because I was not given good meds for the first 7 or 8 years. But that was a long time ago.

Once I start getting flares, they can stick around for what seems forever. Right now, my elbows are the big issue. Unless the accumulated damage is really catching up with me. I never have had remission without drugs, but some people have.

Well, maybe CRP was the blood test? Probably ESR should also be done. And definitely diagnose by symptoms, as 30% of RA sufferers are sero-negative, meaning the blood tests come back as negative, despite obvious flares and disabilty. So be aware of that, if the blood tests come back negative. It could be a false negative, or, you could be lucky, and it is just the chloresterol meds!

Welcome to our merry band of RA warriors and battlers!

Thank you all.....Well..I know too early to tell..but even the higher dose of cortisone.... Nothing changing... Pain in feet about a 7 out of 10. Difficult to walk or stand. Almost 7 weeks!

I have been suffering for 2 months it came on a week after starting my new job. I thought it was from all the walking i do at work but then my feet hands and knee swelled up tingling pain in my hands. no insurance from new job yet. I can't call out sick because I am new my family dr gave me sulindac it doesn't help. the hospital tested me for lyme disease i believe it's ra waiting for insurance to kick in is killing me i wont last til june like this

Feeling better today...7 days on steroids and 4th day on Lyrica. Still hurts some but I can walk better. Going to the specialist tomorrow. Also 6 days off cholesterol med. Hope everyone is feeling better.