Hard to Diagnose | Arthritis Information

I know that Rheumatoid Arthritis can be difficult to diagnose in some people, but after 28 years I'm beginning to suspect that it will never happen or that maybe my doctors have all been barking up the wrong tree.  When I was 16 I first went to my family doctor with hand problems.  His immediate dx was RA, but after lab tests said carpal tunnel and tendonitis.  Over the years I have seen too many doctors to mention and too many specialties to list, from family doctor to rheumatologists to find out what's wrong with my hands, and each doctor gave an immediate dx of RA until the lab work came back.  Now, at age 44, my fingers have begun to have nodules at the joints, as well as one shoulder, one knee, the bases of my toes and all fingers, and some turning of my fingers at the mid-joint.  Two months ago my internist said, "yes, it's finally definately RA after suspecting it all these years."  Lab work was ordered, and again he said "no RA".  He dx me with deQuervain's tenosynovits and, while I do have all the symptoms of it, I think it's still not right.  I have gigantic, hard bumps at the base of my thumb that stick out from the wrists.  It is extremely painful and I can no longer turn my wrists to open doorknobs or cook, bake, etc.  Even driving is becoming impossible.  I don't know what to do or where to turn.  My doctor is more than willing to put me on RA medication, but I have no insurance and can't pay for it.  I can get the meds through patient assistance programs, but only after a definitive dx of RA.  I was also dx with multiple herniated disks two years ago and I take 100 mg. of morphine twice a day for the pain.  The morphine does NOTHING for the hand & wrist pain, nor the other joint pain in my body at varying times.  I take ibuprofen 800mg 3 x per day for the joint pain.  My internist says I have all the classic symptoms of RA but without the lab backup can do nothing.  He says it's just one of those things I'll have to live with while at the same time telling me to go file for Social Security Disability because I can no longer work (I'm an office manager and use my hands 9 hours per day straight).  I don't know what to do or where to turn to get some relief and, if I do have RA, prevent the damage I know will come - my 2 aunts and 1 uncle died from RA and each spent years bedridden.  I have a disabled husband and must care for him, which is becoming impossible - I am not even able to give him his shots anymore.  Needless to say, the pain of my wrists is excrutiating and keeps me awake at night.  Does anybody have any advice about what I can do to alleviate this pain or what kind of doctor I can see to get a better diagnosis?  Please, ANY suggestions or advice is welcome.. anything.  I am desperate.  Thank you for listening.

I am so sorry it has been years and you still have no definitive diagnosis. It shocks me that in the US meds are not available if you cannot pay or insurance does not cover them. We are so fortunate here to pay per prescription for most meds.

Others will be along soon Im sure, who can advise on what help you may be able to get, but in the meantime here is a link that holds some hope for the future. Good to see the UK are adopting this strategy immediately.