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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The meaning of RA pain

melissaenderle
melissaenderle
Pain - what does it mean in rheumatoid arthritis? Does pain signify joint damage going on? Can you have pain but no inflammation? For a few months, my level of pain was quite good. Since early Dec, the levels have increased, sometimes by quite a bit. I'm especially concerned about my hands and ankles. There never has bee much swelling, but the areas can look red, are warmer, and tender. The Rheumy I'm currently seeing overseas seems to think that if the blood levels look normal, then all is fine. (I'm also seuronegative and also have Fibromyalgia). When does one insist on a further look or action, and how much pain, stiffness, etc should one take?
pearl240
pearl240
I have minimal inflammation but pain in hands, jneesm ankles, toes combined that with the morning stiffness, horrible fatigue lasting 40 minutes to an hour is enough for my doc to start me on MTX and a year later added humira.

I am also zero negative...I have other auto immune issues that gave the doc support that it was RA because of the other symptoms. Look for another rheumy if this one is not wanting to help.

No doc should wait until joint damage appears to start you on proper med to control the over active immune system.
melissaenderle
melissaenderle
To clarify, I currently am on 15 mg Methotrexate and Enbrel. My Rheumy in the USA looks at things more holistically and not just on blood tests, which hasn't bee the case for the two Drs I've seen so far here. I'm not sure how many ore Rheumatologists at this hospital speak good enough English, but having a Dr who seems to dismiss my symptoms is not a good feeling. I've had Fibro for over 20 years and am used to dealing with pain, but knowing that RA can lead to joint destruction has me a bit more concerned and determined to ensure that treatment is informed.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My pain was such that my feet and hands were useless. If your rheumy thinks you are a drama queen or something you should seek a new one. No body can function with that level of pain and it would suit you better to find somebody that can understand that.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, pain doesnt signify joint damage but by pain you can understand that if you dont take any prevention quickly then damage will occur. Take prevention as soon as possible.
melissaenderle
melissaenderle
Would a MRI or other test be appropriate in seeing whether there is an issue to be concerned? It was a nuclear body scan in Nov 2010 that got diagnosis and treatment started.
tc87201
tc87201
ESR (sediment rates) and CRP (c-reactive protien ) are also markers for RA. I dont believe in the term "fibromyalga" I think its misdiagnosed from RA or another inflamatory disease. My old doctor "fired" as he wasnt a Rhuemy and when I was hospitlzed due to pain those blood tests were done-mystery solved.

Best wishes,
Terry
Dreamchaser-Linda
Dreamchaser-Linda
I only have pain when I have inflammation. When I get my dose of orencia I am fine a couple of weeks, but for the week before my infusion i start getting inflammation, and pain. I'm like a roller coaster up and down with pain. I have stiffness, but that only hurts a little while as I work it out, it's down to only 10 minutes. I've learned I have to keep myself moving, if I lay around or sit for long periods, OWWCH longer stiffness.
But oh my gosh, what a difference than a few years ago. Endless pain, not able to walk, I couldn't hardly wipe myself, my hand hurt so bad and my knees, I could barely put my pants on, or get up from the toilet.
melissaenderle
melissaenderle
Thanks. RASally. I'll have to look into the Doppler Ultrasound you mentioned. I've had elevated ESR tests, but the results were not consistent with how I was feeling - sometimes I was in a lot of pain with normal rates and less pain sometimes when elevated. If these tests are only accurate 60%, more factors should be considered. I certainly don't want any joint damage, but if persistent pain in certain joints is an indication of damage, I want to know about it an be taken seriously.