New - do you think I have RA? | Arthritis Information

 

I have a passion for cake decorating, especially with fondant. I make my own and sure, it can be pretty hard on your hands. I actually injured my right arm last year kneading out fondant, it healed up nicely after about 2 weeks. So I made a cake at the end of March, for which I was paid. I put more than 20 hours into that cake, lots of kneading and gripping and pinching. A few days later I started to just feel that something was not right in my arms and wrists, a bit of tingling mostly but it quickly turned to pain. After two weeks, I was in alot of discomfort and I thought I might have carpal tunnel, the thoughts of which frightened me half senseless. :) Off to my doctor I go saying tingling and numbness and of course she assumed carpal tunnel and recommended wrist guards. A week or so later, my symptoms got worse while wearing those guards and so I returned to my doctor. We reviewed my symptoms some more and she started to reconsider if it was carpal tunnel. She ordered blood work, x-ray and suggested physiotherapy, saying they might be able to assist with diagnosing as well. The physiotherapist said no way to carpal tunnel and called it a RSI (repetative strain injury) as a result of that cake I made. I thought the same thing, considering my issues only began after I made the cake, albeit was 2 weeks later. I hate going to doctors and felt like things were improving after that initial visit to the physiotherapist and thought it was all getting better on it's own. A week later, it was obviously not going away. So I decided to see a chiropractor, my mom had some issues with her wrist and her chiropractor adjusted them and she was INSTANTLY relieved of her pain, still is now. I wasn't that lucky, but between the adjustments she was doing, the deep tissue massage and the immobilazation of the wrists... I was feeling pretty good 4 to 5 treatments in. She said I had so many knots in my arms and she worked them all out with massage, I figured that was the cause of all my pain... maybe some tendon injury too... all related to RSI. After 7 treatments (twice a week) we decided to drop down to once a week, and during that week I regressed again. At this point we're 2.5 months into it, 4 weeks seeing a chiropractor. She told me she thought it was time I saw a rheumotologist as she believes I have RA.

 

I felt like someone had taken away my air supply and almost two weeks later, I still can't breathe. I went to my family doctor the very next morning after the chiro told me this and my family doctor doesn't believe I have it. I even made a second trip back to get her reassurance and to go over all the reasons why she doesn't think I have it. My bloodwork came back negative for RH factor and there was zero inflammation in my blood, also tested negative for lupus. She examined and squeezed all the joints in my hands and wrists (both sides), none of which are swollen or tender, heck my wrists aren't even swollen they just hurt. Let me see, what else? I can't remember, but she told me I do not have any signs of RA and I think she was half peeved at the chiro for telling me I did. Same chiro also shared some pretty horrific stories about her cousin's wife that has RA and some of her experiences. I still have those images in my head and petrified. I can't let go of the fear that I might have it, I feel so depressed.

 

I'm back seeing a physiotherapist and intend to complete the full round with him, I feel an improvement after a couple of sessions and am trying to be optimisitc but I am sooooo paranoid that something is seriously wrong and that this isn't going to go away. I'm crying constantly at work, spend ALL my time researching my symptoms and there are some pretty ugly possible causes for bilateral wrist pain. The scary thing is that my knee has been bothering me the last couple of days and then I 'think' I feel it in both knees. Am I imagining that? Because I know the symmetry has meaning when it comes to RA?

 

Some of my other symptoms could almost be nerve related, at least I think so. It was bad in the beginning, driving would really set something off in my arms. The improvements are more in my right (dominant) wrists also.

 

So there, I apologize for writing so much and I soooo appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read. If you have any advice. I'm waiting for a bone scan August 27th, family doctor says she wanted to put my mind at ease by ruling out RA. I guess I will know for sure at that time, but do any of you get a feel that I may or may not have it? Thanks.

In the meantime...step away from the researching and totally stay away from that idiot of a chiropracter (no way qualified to diagnose RA) you need to chill a bit and give your PT a chance to work

Other than that, if you have no positive inflammation markers (RF, SED, CCP) then you are probably in the clear and have no need to worry. 

 

Hugs,

 

Pip

P.S.  You might consider some probiotics 'just in case'.  Go to the refrigerated section at the local mineral store and get the most strains and the most 'live cultures' and take one a day.  I wish I would have known about them before this.

 

I hope you get some answers soon.