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...
I have had various issues with my joints off and on for years. However, the last few months and especially the last week I think are pointing to RA. My hands have hurt and swelled off and on for 10 years but I always thouth it was a long term effect of bilateral carpal tunnel and surgeries for same. The last few months I have noticed that my hips are stiff and sore especially after sitting for a while or when I wake up in the morning. One morning I woke up and could hardly stand on my right foot because of the pain in my great toe joint. I was worried I might have gout. There was minimal swelling and no redness or heat. It went away in 36 hours. I have had shoulder pain so severe that I cannot move them and have required steroid injections about 4 times in the last 3 years. It happened again twice this week but resolved on its own. Everyday for the last 8 days I have had joint pain and stiffness in my hands, wrist, feet, shoulders and elbows. Tylenol does not touch it but a dip in the hot tub and tramadol does wonders. I only too ibuprofen, 800 mg, once but decided I better not keep taking it so as to not lower an ESR result.
I plan on calling my doctor first thing tomorrow for testing for RA. I don't have a strong family history of it but do have a great aunt with RA. Do all of you think I am crazy and know just enough to be dangerous or should I be concerned. In all of this, especially the last 10 days, I have not been sick. Thank you.
I plan on calling my doctor first thing tomorrow for testing for RA. I don't have a strong family history of it but do have a great aunt with RA. Do all of you think I am crazy and know just enough to be dangerous or should I be concerned. In all of this, especially the last 10 days, I have not been sick. Thank you.
your dr will know best ...it could be something else ..
i know if you read some of teh info here it can scare the doo doo out of you ...soooo try not to worry until after you see your dr ...
i have had severe issues on and off for seven years ..but after a very stressfull event and eisptein barr ..WAM ..full blown crapola ...hips ..feet ...HANDS , wrist ..did the battery of test ..nerve test ..MRI ...x rays ...neck dr ... so and and so on..
here i am with moderate on the cusp of severeRA waiting seriously inn pain for two years and now diagnosis ..vectra test ..MRI 's and poof a new life ..
you will read many stories ..try to keep yourself not to worried like i said , until you know for sure ...but have a mini back up plan just in case .
hang in there ...we are here if you need us .
Good luck to you.
I was dx'd in February after a couple years of issues. Not sure what tests your PCP will run..but hopefully it will include Anti-CCP and CRP along with RF, ESR. You might see if your PCP will also order MRI's of your hands/feet.
Update us when you can!
Many of us (myself included) had YEARS of bizarre symptoms that made us think we were crazy, but we were not. You know your body best! Best of luck with the doc - please keep us posted!