Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ok, this is my situation. For three weeks now I have had joint pain. Wrists, ankles, elbows, shoulders, knees, fingers, toes. Seems like if there is a join I feel pain. There is no redness or extreme swelling like I have read about. I get piercing stabbing pain, and just aching. I am not waking stiff but shortly after getting going I start hurting, (this has gotten worse it wasn't hurting at the start until the end of the day) Now it starts aching and by the time 3-4pm rolls around I feel awful. My baby ate something in my bed and I was trying to wipe it off and that sweeping motion with my arm/elbow put me in tears. Both sides hurt but the left more than the right typically. I am so fatigued I am totally miserable. I have been taking 800 mg IBproffin to no relief. My doctor has suggested I got to a rheumatologist but I don't want to. I have a wonderful primary care doc who will listen to me, my sympotoms and my labs all combined and work up treatment plans for me. He will take my suggestions on what I learn and work with me to find something that works and I have not found that in specialist so I would rather be treated by him.

My blood work shows my ...

ESR 22 H Ref. Range 0-20MM/HR
ANA Choice Postitive H Ref. Range Negative
C-Reactive Protien 0.6 Ref. Range <0.8 MG/DL
Rheumatoid Factor 20 H Ref. Range <=14 IU/ML

Blood work a couple of months ago also had a positive RF test but sed rate at that time was normal.

I must not have communicate very well with my doc though because I am still questioning if this is RA or not? My doc said lets start you on Celebrex and see if we can get you some relief. Stupid me didn't say, so is this RA? I would greatly appreciate any input.

I just turned 34 years old in February. I have hashimoto's thyroidism but my levels are good right now with the current med regiment I am on for that. (I have had this for about two years now) I have heard once you have one auto immune disease you are more likely to get another. I guess if I want to stick with my primary care doc I want to be up on things myself to make sure I am treated correctly and aggressively enough since I have heard early treatment is best with RA.

Thank you for your time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lotokids,

Hello Lottokids, I feel your pain & would be concerned about RA if I were you. Sounds a bit suspicious. First off, I have been suffering for about 2 years with joint pain & inflammation, just not hot to touch, as of yet. Everyone has similar symptoms of RA, but not necessarily the same. I am not a doctor, but throught my research this is what I have found. You have a positive ANA, which means you may have an auto immune problem, maybe RA or maybe Lupus, or maybe none of the above. Your positive RF along with some marked inflammation are something to consider. If I were you, I would seek a Rheumatologist. Although your PCP is wonderful, a Rheumatologist can help you find more answers. Unfortunately, all of my labwork has been negative, but I am still suffering from the same disease. Some times, RA can take many years to surface, which is my case has. Hang in there. You are not alone by any means. Keep me posted on you progress and good luck.
Take Care, PamelaO

I am sorry that your labs are not matching your symptoms, what a pain. Won't they still say you have RA, umm, forget what is is called just without blood work saying.

I am going to make an appointment with a RD. That has been the common theme of everyone on the chat boards I have subscribed too. I appreciate everyone talking frankly. I think I am just in denial to some extent. Everyone else is worse off than me so it can't be this type thing. I have 9 kids (15-4), two with special needs, four teenagers, with my youngest still not giving me a decent nights sleep. So many pages I have read about limiting your activities to make sure you get enough rest. On good nights I go to sleep by 10pm and the morning starts at 5am. My youngest doesn't wake up. More typical is 11pm - 5am with my little one waking up a couple of times a night.

I have also read that stress can bring on flare ups and there has been no short order of that lately.

Hello lottokids. Hmmm. If you haven't yet, go to a rheumotolagist. They can test for many things and more things than a primary doctor.

I have severe RA and Fibromyalgia and now Raynaud's phenomina. Thats turning Icy cold. all 3 things can be painful. I may have swelling or not when I have pain. I may or may not have night sweats. My blood tests were all showing "normal" recently until I went back to a new rheumatoligist. Everyone implied it was in my head. I had to seek out several opinions before enough tests were done. I was even in the ER several times with fevers over 105 before I was admitted. they ran tests for over week... maybe 2 weeks and "found nothing wrong". finally I asked to go home. Several weeks later, I had a severe flair up. I could not get an aappointment with an RA for months. I got much worse and I am in a wheelchair now. Even on meds (Celebrex, Plaquenil for RA and more meds for other things) My doctor wants to try the "dangerous" stuff but I want to wait. I see people say that after a year it is not so effective anyway. My main reason for holding off, is I often get the symptoms that are the one in a million symptoms with meds. So, I don't want to risk cancer, infection, etc. I tried sulindac for RA. I had mild relief from that but not enough. Motrin for me... well, M&M's work better. At first, Insurance wouldn't cover Celebrex. Now they approve it for a period of time (6-12 months). What I am getting at is SEE a speicialist beyond your primary doctor. Keep in mind that you may have to try several meds and it may take several months for the meds to take effect. SEE A SPECIALIST on top of your primary doctor.!

I am scheduled for Monday to see a Rhuematologist. I am excited and apprehensive all at the same time.

I am glad that you decided to see a specialist. I have a similar situation as yours. I also have hypothyroidism as a result of Hashimoto's and was diagnosed with RA four years ago. When I first presented with symptoms, I didn't present in the "normal" way and my RH factor was negative. After months of pain and discomfort, my Anti-CCP blood test was positive and in the high range. They then began treating me as I had RA. A couple of months later, my RH factor came back high. I love my primary care physician and have been with her for eight years now but seeing a specialist really helps. They have studied this disease and know so much more about it. My primary MD is involved in my care and I feel that my rheumatologist and her work well together. I found the beginning to be hard and frustrating but don't give up. The blood results may show one thing and you may have symptoms that show another. Having a good rheumatologist that you trust can help you in so many ways. Best of luck to you.