rheumatoid arthritis

[Adunaphel]

Is any of you dealing with RA?

Has any of you ever had symptoms of RA to find out it was something else?

 

I have had RA symptoms for about a month (symmetrical joint pain, swollen and stiff hands in the morning, I nave problems opening a jar or using fork and knife to cut food).

It started with the hands, now I also have elbows pain, I think my knees are also starting to ache but I could be very well imagining it.

I am waiting for blood tests results, I can't wait to have them and talk with a specialist.

I am scared to death.

 

I was wondering, has anyone here ever showed symptopms that could have been RA and found out it was something else?

[Squirtal]

Hi A

 

Only recently I had tests for RA.

For years I have had stiff achey hands and joints.

Finally I had tests for it as all of a sudden I couldn't move my wrist and it was so painful.

I also have a tingling and pain in my right shoulder and my hips ache.

I was freaking out too.

Waiting for the results was horrible as that time I was reading up about it all.

There are websites galore.

As much as I realised it could be controlled it was still a scary thought and the more websites I read the more the symptoms fit my own.

My results were fine though...nothing at all to worry about and i was told I healthy blood.

I had some xrays..and still nothing wrong, so I was referrred to A RA consultant..just so they could see how I was using my body.

I have hyper mobile joints in my shoulders and wrists..can spin my hand 360 for a party trick..but other joints are not so supple.

Turns out I just over compensate on a lot of my joints.

Still suffer at times..but then I know not to move and jerk around so fast.

I hope your tests are okay.

But don't panic until you have to.

That was the mistake I made.

There are lots of reasons for aches and pains..even just normal A...I get that in my finger where I broke it and this whether makes it hurt...but I just squeeze and it loosens up.

Good luck.

[Adunaphel]

Thank you a lot for replying - reading about your experience made me calm down a little. I can relate with going through all the websites about AR and reading up all I could.

It is the symmetrical pain that is making me freak out the most. But reading that you too were finding many fitting symptopms and turned out ok is encouraging.

Thank you a lot again for sharing the story!!

[Squirtal]

No problem. Keep me posted.

Try not to think too much..thats what does your head in.

Hugs.

x

[Jenny123]

Hi, I'm 28,Thought old people got this!

This time last year, I had 70% inflamed joints, took two months to treat with no medication. Took a while to see the specialist. I found it hard to get out of bed,had it throughout my body.

Because it's not visible,people don't take it seriously. It was a very dark time for me.

 

It was triggered by the flu, it disapeared four months later. I am one in 30, where it doesn't come up in the blood. Harder to treat!

 

They are still deciding, if it is Rheumatoid or reactive arthritis.

I moved back home, to a colder climate, it came back, not to the same extent.

I take 90 Arcoxia,daily.

Cod liver oil helps, panadol. Ginger, garlic, mint are very good. Exercise helps.

I don't have the strength I once had. My arthritis is in the wrists.

Stress seems to trigger it.

[Adunaphel]

No problem. Keep me posted.

Try not to think too much..thats what does your head in.

Hugs.

x

 

I surely will... and I agree, thinking too muchabout it is NOT going to help.

 

----------

 

Jenny123, thank you for posting.

I am not 'old' either - I will be 30 this year.

I had acute symmetrical joint pain in my fingers once or twice before (the last time two years ago) but it lasted about a week so even if I got scared I did not give it much thought when it disappeared. This time it is quite different - the acute pain lasted only a few days, but the pain did not go completely away - it's been over a mont already and it's over two weeks I have morning pain and stiffness. In the last few days my wrists and elbows have been hurting too.

You made me remind that I had the flu just before all of this started. Also, I read that stress can be a trigger, and in the last three months I have suffered from severe stress and depression.

 

You said that it disappeared after a few months - did it just go away on its own?

Even if the form i have is AR, I am hoping so much it is a form that comes and goes.

Do you have to keep taking medications on a daily basis?

 

I was also wondering if reducing stress level could help, even if it has already been triggered- I am not sure, though.

[grogster]

I'm so sorry to hear of this, Adunaphel. I've had mild bilateral joint pain in my thumbs for about 10 years, but its been stable.

 

Please don't rush to self-diagnosis. Let the test results come in, get diagnosed and then get a second opinion.

 

This may not be as bad as you suspect.

 

Good luck.

[Jenny123]

Hi Adunaphel,

It did just go away but came back when I moved to the cold. Not as bad this time, but is being maintained with medication.

I am moving to a warmer climate again & have no doubt the good weather eases it.

 

I have to take Arcoxia daily. My arthritis has good days and bad days. Spasms mainly. I also struggles sometimes opening jars etc!!!

The specialist told me it will come & go, throughout my life.

Stress makes it worse.

I power walk, think exercise helps alleviate the stiffness.

Doctor advised me to stay on arcoxia and take panadol when needed-helps reduce the inflammation.

When maintained, it is better. You just become aware of your limits. My life is normal and active, so don't worry:)

Check what foods are good/bad for arthritis.

It is a shock-why me?!! Manage it & you'l be fine:)

 

When taking your tablets make sure you eat something with it, your stomach needs some lining! Magnetic bracelets help-try chemists.

Any queries, i'm here;)

[Adunaphel]

I'm so sorry to hear of this, Adunaphel. I've had mild bilateral joint pain in my thumbs for about 10 years, but its been stable.

 

Please don't rush to self-diagnosis. Let the test results come in, get diagnosed and then get a second opinion.

 

This may not be as bad as you suspect.

 

Good luck.

 

Thank you.

And you are right, picturing the worst-case-scenario is not going to help.

 

Hi Adunaphel,

It did just go away but came back when I moved to the cold. Not as bad this time, but is being maintained with medication.

I am moving to a warmer climate again & have no doubt the good weather eases it.

 

I have to take Arcoxia daily. My arthritis has good days and bad days. Spasms mainly. I also struggles sometimes opening jars etc!!!

The specialist told me it will come & go, throughout my life.

Stress makes it worse.

I power walk, think exercise helps alleviate the stiffness.

Doctor advised me to stay on arcoxia and take panadol when needed-helps reduce the inflammation.

When maintained, it is better. You just become aware of your limits. My life is normal and active, so don't worry:)

Check what foods are good/bad for arthritis.

It is a shock-why me?!! Manage it & you'l be fine:)

 

When taking your tablets make sure you eat something with it, your stomach needs some lining! Magnetic bracelets help-try chemists.

Any queries, i'm here;)

 

Thank you for the extra input and for the advice!

Knowing that the good weather can help is great to hear, considered that spring is coming soon and that this winter has been particularly cold and damp. (well, at least for the standards from where I live, you'd probably consider it a very mild winter)

I am looking for the foods to avoid list on the internet. I also guess it's time to give up smoking!

[Adunaphel]

Blood test were okay - negative rheumatoid factor and no ESR increase. :)

I have to see both a rheumatologist and a blood circulation specialist (I do not know that right term) asap , but knowing that it is not rheumatoid arthritis I am dealing with is such a relief!

Thank you a lot again for the replies and the support.

[Citizen Erased]

That's great Adunaphel, I know what a relief it is to get the negative for RA.

 

I've been getting arthritis for the past few months now, I got it first in my hands and then my feet. So holding things, opening things and walking have been fun. It's still there but the three drugs I am on are being incredibly heplful. It took about two months for the doctors to get off the RA train (I have a family history of it and the symptoms fit) then it was Lupus (again, family history) now it's maybe Lupus and maybe something else. I'm going to see my Rheumy for the 5th time early next month. Still sore but not in the "can't get out of bed in the morning" sense.

 

Have you been given anything by your dotor to help treat your symptoms? I found celebrex to be the most effective in my case.