Not sure if it's RA | Arthritis Information

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Hi everyone, I have another auto disease in which I became disabled a year ago.  I have been having pain in my hands for sometime, but it would go away after about 2 hrs or so after I got up and moving around.  Suddenly for the last 2 to 3 weeks this pain continues through the day and now is in all my joints(hands toes, knees, hips, elbows,ect).  I'm on pain meds through a pain clinic for my interstitial cystitis so I'm not sure what or why I'm having soooo much pain.  The last week it wakes me up at night so I've been taking naproxin between my doses of pain meds but only gives a little if any relief. This morning at 4am my eyes started hurting so I called the doc and she can't see me until Monday. Do you all have these symptons?  I have heard if you have one auto disease sometimes another comes along. Sorry for the long post it's my first. Thanks

 
Marshmel
Hi Marshmel. I'm sorry for your pain. The best thing you did was make an appointment with your doctor to begin to find the cause of your pain. I'm relatively new to the RA scene (2 years), so I can't give you much insight. I've never heard about RA involving eye pain - but like I said, I"m relatively new to this. I just wanted to say welcome and I'm sorry for your pain. Thanks Honey, I've been putting off going to doc because we have no insurance and we currently are looking at some options, since there is a 24 month wait for ssdi.  But I'm glad I'm seeing the doc soon so I can find out, because the pain and risk are too great.
 
Marshmel
Hi Mel, welcome to AI, you will find lots of good advice and nice people on here so you are doing the right thing.  The eyes can be affected with RA.  My experience is episcleritis, which means the clear covering over the eyeball known as the sclera becomes sore and red with little blisters.  It can be treated with eye drops.  If your eyes get much worse don't wait, go to the ER as it may be something other than your RA.  Good luck, from Janie.  Welcome Marshmel,
Sorry that you're experiencing new symptoms.  Monday isn't too far away, so hopefully you'll find answers quickly.  Even if it ends up being not what you want to hear, it's better to know the devil.    For me, it started in feet and hands and moved to my shoulder, knees once in awhile.  

I had a bout of interstitial cystitis about a month before my RA symptoms really flared (however I only have serious involvement in my right wrist).  Thank the lord I went on an elimination diet and the IC flare went away.  I'd rather be in lots of types of pain that that, it is just the worst, isn't it? I got an Elmiron scrip but about 3 weeks of the total elimination diet did the trick.  I still get small flares occasionally and probably go to the bathroom more than most.  I had another flare when I was having some hip pain before my second pregnancy, but the IC flare went away with the pregnancy.

Anyway, don't know if that's helpful, just wrote to say I had a chronological association between IC and RA, and god bless, I hope the IC resolves!

Hey and welcome Marshmel!

What other AI disease if you don't mind me asking?
 
Cost options with these diseases are a concern.  You need a doc to confirm what you have so you know where to go from there.
 
Hugs,
 
Pip
Let them test you for arthritis(OA/RA) and either crystal/infectious types as well thyroid. These are basically blood tests. If one's a bell ringer, that's likely it; otherwise they'll go down the list. Be patient this might take awhile.

Thank you all for the support it is a very scary time for me; I've had ic for 5 long years now and all treatment has failed however I'm in pain management and I stay hopeful.  I'm glad to know that there are others who have/are experiancing the same things as I it just makes you feel (not so alone). As for the eye pain it the eye balls itself, a hurt and ache behind and around the eyes, I haven't noticed any diff. in vision and it still hurts even when I close them (I know, wierd). As for my joint pain, it is in my hands, knees,feet and hips today so far, but by the end of the day it seems to ease a little. Hope I answered everyone and thanks again.

Marshmel
Well I just got back from the doctor, she had me come in today, she is running some blood test an I'll know in a few days.  She running test for Lupus and RA, I have heard that sometimes the test is negetive but you can still have RA?
 
Marshmel
Hi Marshmel.. Sorry you're having such troubles...  I hope you find help.
 
Yes, I know the RA blood tests can be negative and you can still have RA.  I am sero-negative RA..
 
Good luck!

I met with dotor this week and she said that all my test results are neg. and she thought that it is due to my interstitial cystitis or an on-set of some arthiris.  She ask if I wanted to see a Rheumatoid doctor....? yes, I told her.  But she again told me she does not feel it's RA.  I've never heard of this being a syptom of IC?  What do you all think I should do? The pain is not as bad as it was, however I couldn't get out of bed for days and all my joints seem to be swelled it was awful.  Currently my hands are very tender in the am still. All  my x-rays were also fine she said.Thoughts...please?

 

Marshmel

By all means, see a rheumtologist.  He/she is more qualified to diagnose RA, especially if you have a sero-negative type.  That swelling, pain, etc. sure does sound RA-like to me, blood tests or not, but I'm no expert.  That's why you need to see a doctor who is.  Good luck and please let us know how you make out. Is the swelling visible? Write down all your symptoms before going to the rheum. The better you document everything, the more history you will have for the doctor.
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