I don't know if Endometriosis is often found in people with immune issues or not. I do know that stiffness is a "normal" part of R.A. in regard to symptoms. I also know that it IS possible to have R.A. with a negative rheumatoid factor (blood test). If you think you are experiencing symptoms that correlate to R.A., you need to see a Rheumatologist.

I am Seronegative. I have R.A. (moderate to severe) and yet my RA factor test comes back negative (hence the Seronegative). I have stiffness every morning for a good while. Sometimes all throughout the day. I have noticed lately that my fingers "stick" sometimes. Like you mentioned when you make the letter "e" in sign language. I can make that sign, but when I try to release it, my joints seem a little sticky and I have to force them out straight.

ask your doctor to give you an anti-ccp test and if you didn't already get them, sed rate and c-reactive protein. The anti-ccp is much more specific for RA. The other two just tell the doc if you have inflammation. (of course you could be totally blood negative and still have RA. But I'd start with those tests first)

Also, from what I've experienced & have read it's rare for RA to effect the mid or lower back although it's not unheard of it's more typical for the cervical portion of the spine, at the base of the skull, the first 3 vertebrae I believe.

That's where I experience my pain, although I gotta be honest the past 3 weeks I've had mid back pain right in between my shoulder blades & maybe 1 or 2 vertebrae below. I thought this was from working out but it's been going on weeks now so I'm not quite sure.

Thanks for your responses. I've had a recommendation for a rheumatologist in my hands for about a month now. i've had bad pain for 5 years now and I'm just nervous to go! I mean I want answers and want to be treated for what I have, but I'm nervous about either 1) getting a negative response from the doc and thus feeling again like a medical failure or 2) getting a positive diagnosis and then going through the process of...I don't know what. I mean a diagnosis of RA is both bad and good, right?

As for the back pain - you are right oceans11, my pain started in my tailbone and now that pain radiates from there through the rest of my back and legs. Then the shoulder pain is from my neck.

So my hands pain is really both hands, all day long, and in my middle of the finger (all fingers, but the knuckle). It's definitely not what it was like when I was younger and playing piano. I thought this pain was normal and came with age, but my husband doesn't have any joint pain. So is it normal aging stuff (again, I'm 37) or something more?

the area of your lower back and tailbone can totally be RA. And you can have referred pain too.
The rheumatologist will only get you started. you can panic all along the way. Most of us did.

lol, thanks bcatz. having a chronic condition is no fun. I've had chronic pain for 5 years now and was diagnosed with endo 2 yrs ago. that was a hard diagnosis since endo is not well understood or treated in the US.

I think I did do the tests you mentioned because he did more than one test, and they I think showed up negative. but I'm just now realizing that his 'quick test' method does not mean I don't have it, eh? according to mayo clinic it's hard to diagnose RA? why do docs make it sound like that's an end-all-be-all test then? sigh.

I can relate to the hand finger pain. In both hands. I could not make a fist with either hand. It hurt my knuckles when i would gently dry my hands. That is where most of my pain was. But then it showed up in my elbows. But yes both hands for me were so painful. Good luck

How was your diagnosis? Was it quick or did any have a long drawn out diagnosis?

My hands were the first sign. Stiff & certain fingers would freeze in position. From there hands progressed. Elbow & feet. Exhaustion hit hard also.
My neck & back has always been a problem but that was a problem before my DX with RA. Although my lower back never hurt as bad as when RA hit. SI joint is a big problem.
Doctors are not on the same page with RA & the back.
Either way it can enhance any existing problems. The neck or cervical is at risk with RA.
Most Rheumotogists start with Blood work & X Rays.
Although many agree other tests should be included. Such as MRIs.
Any swelling take pictures. Keeping a journal of sorts can't hurt.
Any other problems like not feeling well, exhaustion, brain fog.......?
Those are red flags.
Follow your instincts & keep pushing till you get some answers.
Good luck, Sammy

Endowife. I had been in pain for close to a year and the pain was horrible in my hands. I also was so stiff in the morning i felt like a 90 year old. I would get put on prednisone by my gp and would get better. The referral to the rheumy i had to wait like 3 to 6 months. She entered my exam room looked at my joints and hands. She did labs, ultrasound of my hands and did xrays of my hands and i was started on meds that day. I have since progressed to humira, enbrel and so on. Humira worked well for me but have moved past that because of raging upper respiratory tract infections. I wish u luck and hope u get answers soon
Nothing worse than the pain of relentless RA.