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i don't know for sure if i have arthritis. i'm just looking for an answer.
this all started 3 years ago, when i was 20, and developed corns on the inside of both of my smallest toes. since then i've tried treating them with those round discs, acid, sleeves, orthopedic inserts, and yet they persist. i've found myself almost in tears trying to shop for shoes that wouldn't kill my feet with no success. i don't even like standing in the shower - most of the time, i don't.
over the past few months, i cannot work an 8 hour shift without being in a lot of pain after a few hours. i am a cashier and have to stand the whole time. advil doesn't seem to touch the pain. i also am pretty sure the arches of my feet are slowly falling, and the way i stand has changed. mostly, all of my weight seems centered toward the inner edge of my foot, and on my right foot i tend to stand on the ball of my foot -- if that makes any sense. everything about my feet hurts. my toes, my heels... the whole thing.
and those stupid little toes seem so big...how does that happen? they're just strange looking, and the bones where the corns are is so sharp...it rubs against my second toe, and i have smaller corns there. and when i'm standing, looking down on them, they seem to touch the ground on their sides instead of the bottom, and overlap underneath my second toe...
years after i noticed the corns i've learned both my aunt and my mother have RA and i find myself wondering if this could be the culprit. i feel like it has to be SOMETHING... corns for 3 years after multiple different pairs of shoes? i feel sometimes like i'm walking on hard rocks. now my ankles ache and i've felt the urge to take my shoes off while driving many times. if i could go barefoot all the time, i would. even then, there is only a little relief.
i'm making an appointment to see my doctor to quit smoking soon, and i want to bring this up, but i don't want to sound crazy.
maybe i'm just venting. but thanks to everyone who read this.
Hello and Rheumatoid
Factor. In RA, antibodies that collect in the synovium of the joint are known
as rheumatoid factor. In about 80% of cases of RA, blood tests reveal
rheumatoid factor. It can also show up in blood tests of people with other
diseases. However, when it appears in patients with arthritic pain on both
sides of the body, it is a strong indicator of type 2 RA. The presence of
rheumatoid factor plus evidence of bone damage on x-rays also suggests a
significant chance for progressive joint damage.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test. An erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) measures how fast red blood cells
(erythrocytes) fall to the bottom of a fine glass tube that is filled with the
patient's blood. The higher the sed rate the greater the inflammation. In
addition to rheumatoid arthritis, the sed rate can be high in many conditions
ranging from infection to inflammation to tumors. The test is used, then, not
for diagnosis, but to help determine how serious the condition is.
C-Reactive Protein. High levels of C-reactive protein
(CRP) are also indicators of active inflammation.
Anti-CCP Antibody Test. The presence of antibodies to
cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) can identify RA years before symptoms
develop. In combination with the test for rheumatoid factor, the CCP antibody
test is the best predictor of which patients will go on to develop severe RA.
Used in Europe, it is now beginning to be used somewhat more commonly in the
US. US laboratories have not yet developed consistent standards for
interpreting the test, however.
Then the next step would be an appointment with a Rheumatologist, an arthritis specialist. If you think you may have it then it's best to find out as soon as possible as leaving it will increase your risk of damage to the joints and make it harder for it to be treated.
Venting is necessary here. That's exactly part of what this support forum is all about so vent away when you need too, ask questions...there are no stupid ones here. Keep reading and posting. But until you get that diagnosis, you are going to be in limbo and there are obviously things that are going on with you that seem like they may be RA.
Hope all that helps.
Welcome to AI. Definately make sure to mention your foot/feet problem to your doctor. Many of us here started out with random foot problems. Not uncommon for RA but also very common with other conditions as well.
Welcome.
What Cordy said... RA is not fun and its INheirted.. so go ASAP.. the sooner you know and get those tests.. esp the RA one.. then if.. IF.. you have it, you can start treatment..
and deal w/ it then... but soon darlin,... soon, this is a very very fast acting illness..
and Hello!!! welcome to the board :)
Hello and welcome! Keep posting you'll get lots and lots of great advice here :)
Hi Stacia..welcome!Hello and Welcome. welcome to the board Welcome! Yes I think it would be very good to have those feet checked out by a Rhuemy. I was 21 when dx with RA. Your feet should not be hurting like that at age 20 - not even if you are over weight and standing all day.
My toes and balls of my feet were very painful. My hands hurt some but my feet hurt so much I really didn't notice my hands unless I was writing a lot.
Follow Cordelia"s advise and get those feet checked out.
It really is better to know than die wondering and if it is RA then better to start that treatment now.
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