I just am wondering if anyone else here has RA without swelling. I am still going in circles being dx'd and then un-dx'd with various things but the one thing that sticks is the inflammatory arthritis label. I have the typical symmetrical joint pain in many joints but am seronegative and have swelling in only a couple joints and that is not that bad. X-rays show no erosions. I do respond great to steroids which I know was part of the reason for the dx. Also have bad fatigue. Anyone else have RA without swelling?
Laker
I don't have much noticable swelling either. My knees swell some and my doctor says my elbows do; but I don't really notice that. The only time I notice my hands swell is upon waking I can't twist my rings.....but 1/2 the normal population have that problem I think. I've had plenty of pain over the years though.
After many years erosions do appear on my x-rays though. My doctors claim they would be much worse had I not been on DMARDS continuiously for the past 13 years. I guess that's one thing that keeps me taking them. They do help me feel better and appearently their also slowing things down although not stopping it all together.
Hi Laker. I don't have much swelling and I'm sero-negative also. I do have alot of pain in my hands and wrists and my mri's show erosions. This disease is different for everyone. My rheumy tells me he's seen the gamut.I can't always tell by looking at my fingers, but often when my hands/fingers hurt, I cannot get my wedding ring off or on. Other times it is quite loose. The rheumatologist says that my knuckles feel "boggy". Hi Laker, I too have RA without swelling. The only time I get swelling is when I'm into a new flare when it starts, then usually it goes away.I have a few joints that are swollen like my knees and my ankles. I have pretty bad ongoing damage going on in my joints even though there is no inflammation or heat in the joints. This always has my RD somewhat surprised and I to am seronegative. I don't have much swelling either. Just occasionally when a joint is really bad will it swell.
I don't get a lot of swelling either. The RD and NP can see it at times, but its never been a lot. When I do have swelling its my knees and wrists. I'm over weight but my wrists are thin so any swelling shows up there.
I'm seronegative but have erosions..
go figure
I'm seropositive and I very very seldom have swelling. Lots of pain though!I don't have a whole lot anyway---I know on super hot days, I always wonder if the swelling I have is from the RA or just good ol' water retention!
I've also wrestled with my diagnosis....I'm seronegative as well......I even told the dr at one of my visits, " Well, if I don't "REALLY" have it...can't I just go off the meds and see what happens?" He promptly said, " NO! I'm not saying you don't have it....the blood work is just saying you're seronegative." Okay then..
I didn't really respond to the prednisone all that great. Seemed like once I had enough of the plaquenil in my system, things got a bit better. My x-rays and MRI show some erosion, but nothing "new" going on.
So from reading the other posts....guess it's somewhat normal to not have swelling. Hang in there! I feel your frustration!
Laker
Yes!!! our daughter is 7 and undiagnosed and has never had swelling AND her xrays are all fine. She has inflamed 'areas' of her bones on scans and MRI that clear up and move on their own!!! Another similarity to you - prednisilone has an immediate effect with her! Problem is - using it can disguise symptoms and we are apparantly waiting for 'new' symptoms to get a diagnosis!!!
I feel your frustration, I do not have any condition (excpet pregnancy!!!), but am dealing with my daughters and am so Frustrated!!
During a bad flare up her bone pain is severe, and sometimes combined with spiking fevers.
Her condition has subsided as she has been on constant meds - the last was naprosyn for over 3 months and it looks like this has controlled the inflammation. however we took her off it 9 days ago as the associated nausea made it impossible for her to function.
So we are med free for the first time in 12 months. I don't think it will last as little pains keep sneaking in...hopefully they won't come back too severe - but if they do - there is always pred.
One major reason they have been unable to dx any arthritis condition is because there is no redness or swelling - sometimes 'heat' but no swelling....
She may not have RA...but she might. Sucks doesn't it?
Hang in there and stay positive - let us know your progress...