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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Need info... Undiagnosed

RaeFaith
RaeFaith

Hello! 


   I am hoping to get some info from others suffering from RA. The internet is a little limited and I would love some experienced people to give me your opinion. 


    I am 32, female, and I have been suffering from random swollen fingers that hurt in the joints. It seems to be happening almost once a week now, and lasting a little longer. I've also experienced pain in both balls of my feet, both knees (either one or both at the same time) and even the outer part of my hip. Sometimes it's just one finger, other times it's a toe, a finger and maybe a knee. 


   I'm wondering if these are legit symptoms of RA in the beginning stage? Everything I find online points to this. A couple people have also given their educated guesses that it is. I haven't been to the doctor, I don't much like the medical bills associated with doctor visits... But I know if it really is RA, there may be treatments to help it from progressing as fast? 


   I would really like to know your stories of how it started and if it's anything like what I'm experiencing. I appreciate any responses. Thank you!

WarriorGal
WarriorGal
It certainly could be. Get to a rheumatologist as soon as possible and get tested. RA is serious. It can cause permanent crippling and affect major organs if left untreated. Pay the co-pay and find out and get treatment if it is RA!!
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Do you hurt more in the morning when you first wake up? that's another clue. Could be Lupus, or fibromyal]gia or Sjogrens- so you need a diagnosis.
RaeFaith
RaeFaith
It does seem to happen overnight most times. I wake up with a new finger swollen. Or painful to stand on my feet. (The balls of my feet). Or if I'm sitting for a while and get up, it hurts more than when I'm continuously walking (for feet or knee pain). Does that make sense?
RaeFaith
RaeFaith
The last couple things that happened, about a week apart, were each of my middle fingers hurting. First it was my left hand, then my right. But instead of the swelling, it was like the joint in my hand hurt, directly below my middle finger. And depending how I bend the hand, it sends pain up through my wrist and into my forearm. A couple days ago it was in my right hand, and yesterday & today, the right elbow hurts to stretch out.
I don't know anything about fibromyalgia or lupus. I would have to check it out. I had a lapse in insurance that should be back starting July. I suppose I will go in then. Thank you!
drmargret
drmargret
This sounds very much like my friend that has psoriasis arteritis.
buddhacat
buddhacat
"I've also experienced pain in both balls..." Yah, me, too.
RaeFaith
RaeFaith
Well, after googling the 4 different other possible diagnoses, I'm fairly confident none of those are the culprits. The symptoms don't at all relate to what I'm going through. I will be sure to visit a doctor as soon as I can. But I am still interested in hearing how each of your first symptoms started and if it is similar to mine. Like I mentioned before, the Internet is limited and RA can vary from to person to person. I would like to know if there are similarities between me and others or if I am being overly worried based on what others have told me. Thank you again,
RaeFaith
RaeFaith
Buddhacat- did you mean pain in the balls of your feet...? Or something else? Lol
Hellen
Hellen
My symptoms started very much like this. You need to see a Rheumatologist, but hold on for the ride as this is not a fast process. Good luck.
wes
wes
My symptoms were like that a year before I was diagnosed. My foot effect was just toes randomly hurting, my knees hurt one and then the other and my fingers would hurt or go numb. It took over a year for the swelling to start but when it started it was bad. I ignored it because I have a very physical life and I'm getting older. But waiting so long has caused nerve damage in one of my thumbs. I wouldn't wait longer than I had to.
doodlebug25
doodlebug25
My symptoms started with both middle finger PIP joints swollen, red, warm and painful one morning when I woke up. Gradually more finger joints joined in then MCP joints where the finger joins the hand, then the wrists, and then shoulders. For me, though the pain may be different joints some days, there are a few that are always a problem, and it is almost always both hands.
I had pain in the balls of my feet with running several years prior to these finger issues that made me go see a rheumatologist. I thought it was Mortons Neuroma, and though it may have been, I also wonder if it was RA. I don't run anymore, and don't have that pain, so I am not sure it is RA.

Palindromic rheumatism can cause joint problems that move around (but the joints are completely fine in between)....but a lot of those can become RA.

I hope you are able to get some answers soon.
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
Because it is coming and going so quickly, it sounds like Palindromic Arthritis to me. I had that in the beginning and received to medication or pain meds. In 50% of people Palindromic clears up and causes no damage, if you are lucky. Mine morphed into severe sero-negative RA and it is severe.

I hope your clears up, if that is what it is. Do see a rheumatologist, they will be able to help you better than we can!
RaeFaith
RaeFaith
I sincerely appreciate all the responses I've received so far, and I welcome any more! As expected, the general thought is for sure I should go get checked out. Lol. I know that I need to, and will as soon as my insurance is back up. I'm dreading the lengthy doctors visits and cost of everything. But I appreciate the words of wisdom shared with me while I wait to be seen. Thank you all so very much.
buddhacat
buddhacat
Good luck!

Regarding your "pain the balls..." question of me, that was a fun opportunity to kid around, but I have had pain in the balls of my feet. Howver, it was likely from Morton's neuromas, not any arthritis.
depotblue
depotblue
he's baaaaaaaaaaack.