Rheumatoid Arthritis

I am a 38 yr old female and seem to be having symptoms of RA and/or lupus but doctors are having difficulties diagnosing what's exactly going on. I have had thousands of dollars worth of blood work done over the last 18 months, hand surgery on both hands, injections, MRI's and x-rays. Two pathology reports from hand surgery indicated rheumatiod nodules, however my RF is well within the normal range. My ANA panel is normal. I have had every blood test Anti-Sm, Anti-Ro, Anti-La, Complement, ESR, CRP, etc. All are normal. While I realize there are patients that are seronegative, it is so frustrating that I can't confirm a diagnosis. My physical symptoms include: significant fatigue, fever, depression, dry eyes, bumpy skin on my forehead, dry patches of skin on the bridge of my nose, rheumatoid nodules on my hands and feet, arthritic pain in my joints (hips, ankles, hands), early signs of cataracts. My health history includes hypothroidism, pernicious anemia, asthma and chronic tension headaches which started about 18 months ago. any suggestions?

Hello Kelly,
My name's Keisha. I have Polyarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis,Pleurisy,Raynaud's Phenomenon,Infertility.Have been on and am on many medications.I would strongly suggest to be tested (a couple times at least) for RA, Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome. It really sounds like the lupus or sjogren's syndrome...maybe even both. Most people who get an autoimmune disease end up with at least two of them. One linking into the other. I'm definately thinking Sjogren's Syndrome. You have pretty much all the symptoms. Also, the doctors very very rarely test people for this...so tell him to if you want it done. Wishing you luck!!

Hi Kelly,

My Name is Tanya and iam new to this site. I also am 38 yrs old and have all the same symptoms as you. Iam currently waiting for a diagnosis. i started out out with the fact the my hands were hurting and then over time my knees and the bone just below the big toe, my elbows, boughts of low fever and aches and burning feelingin my joints.
Hands swollen and red especially in the first half of the hand from the thumb to middle finger. Fatigue and feeling like you can't move becasue of no energy aches and pains. On a good day my joints hurt but i have energy and I can function then other days i jsut want to lie down because the pain gets me. My joints also hurt after using them. Sorry that i went on but i read your post and found myself in your story. Please let me know if you get an answer because you certainly diserve it. REmember a Hot baths feel great. Take care Tanya ( still waiting)

Hi, I'm sorry that you are having these problems. I think I am currently at about 15 years now, and while we know I have Sjogren's, peripheral neropathy, arthritis, and severe muscle pain (all the time), nothing is written in stone. I would tell you to get used to the idea that your Rheumy can treat your symptoms, and make educated guesses about your diagnois, but you may never have a cast in stone diagnosis.

My daughter was about 3 when I started feeling bad. I know that this is really crummy for kids, Mom's not much fun when she feels icky all the time. Kids also tend to see that Mom gets attention from her illness, and they too may start finding things wrong with themselves.

I would tell you to find something to interest you. Getting through the pain sometimes is about distracting yourself. I love creative things, quilting, knitting, art, etc. I read about it and I do it. Sometimes I take classes as well!

Then I would also advise you to find as AA puts it Your higher Power. I know I would not have made it through what I have with out my faith in God.

Last, find a really good Rhematologist, one you have confidence in, and stick with them. It seems like you change providers and they want you to change doctors. My rhematologist has tried me on so many drugs, and going to someone new, Phew! I don't want to go through their tests of their favorite meds, when you find a 'fairly stable, effective combination of meds.' you don't want a lot of change!

Have you tried any of you increasing your vitamin D? That is one technique my doctor is reccomending currently I think it is 1000 iu or mg or what ever the designation for D is, a day. Seems that we tired folks generally don't go outside into the sunlight, as much as our ancestors, or as much as we need. Some folks have found some relief from this.

Gee, I had better quit. I have written the first chapter.
BarbaRA