Scared I have RA! Help | Arthritis Information

I am meeting with a rheumatologist next week. i had an artificial disc replacement in july 2005 but i still have severe pain when sitting. picking up the kids isn't to bad. i am very stiff in the mornings. my neck, back, feet hurt. my hand wake me up every night with numbness and tingling, at least two or three times. i have had a low grade fever the last four doctors visits which is a sign of RA. i'm just not feeling well. no energy. but of course other than PT, i'm not that active since i feel cruddy. any ideas. what were your RA symptoms. do mind sound like anything else. Hope your doing well. jason.

Welcome to the board!

And someone will be along soon to reply to your post. Do not forget to come back and check for replies!

Welcome Jason. Certainly sounds like RA to me. The way you described your hands is exactly how I felt at first. Tired; low energy...morning stiffness. Classic symptoms; I hope you will find the help you need next week. Good Luck.

Hope to see more of you here.

Hi Jason, Yes you will find lots of information on the boards. But remember everyone feels differently. So what is good for one may not be good for the other. But I have found out alot since I came to the boards. Those who share your illness can help you alot. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info. i really feel alone even though i have family. noone seems to understand or believe the pain i'm having. my appt. is tuesday. i let you know. and thanks again for the support. jason

Good Luck Jason.

Continue to come here and make some friends. We've all come to rely on each other a great deal. Only other people that have this and other diseases like it truely understand it.

Welcome Jason,

I understand your fear, I was there, along with a lot of people here. It's not a nice way to envision your future that's for sure...but...

Once properly diagnosed and the right treatment plan set in place you can live a good life. It's all about quality of life. The pain, confusion and general ill feeling will subside into merely "background noise" and the things you dread doing now, you will later do without even thinking about it. I wish you good health. You're in good hands here, please stick around and post often.

Jackie