Need opinion from people with RA | Arthritis Information

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Hi,

I am sure countless people have posted this same sort of thing on this board but I am very freaked out that I may have RA. I am a 34 year old male. My Mom has RA but I can not get hep from her since she is also in mid stages of Alzheimers disease. My fears started with a swollen and sore pinky finger PIP joint two months ago. It is still swollen but not sore. Lately every joint in my body has been cracking but no real pain is present. I have had a sore shoulder off and on for the past 4 months. My finger and my shoulder have not affected my daily activities is any way in fact I still work out with heavy weights regularly. The backs of my hands kind of feel like the skin is hot some of the time and they tingle. I have no morning stiffness as far as I can tell. I am negative for Ra factor, my C-reactive protein came back normal as did my sedementation rate. I am waiting for my Anti CCP results.

So I guess my question is: Does any of this sound like RA or am I just paranoid?
Hi Supes182,

 
Welcome to the forum.  Sorry you have a need to be here.
 
Not everyone has the same initial presentation of RA, but I do believe that morning stiffness is a good sign for RA.  My RA has been rather unpredictable.  I've had pain without swelling, swelling without pain, pain in one joint only, pain in many joints, etc.
 
I can see why you are worried since your mom has RA.  My dad had RA, I have RA, and my brother has Lupus.  I wouldn't start worrying yet, but I do advise you to keep your doctor's appointment.  If you aren't seeing a rheumatologist, you might consider a referral.  Don't let this go.  If you do have RA, early treatment is the best.
 
I hope you get some answers soon.
Everything KweenB said - good luck to you and I hope it's just some wear and tear you're experiencing. Thank you both for your replies.

KweenB, you mentioned morning stiffness being an important factor, I haven't experienced any that I can tell. does it usually present itself early on in the disease's progression?
I experienced the stiffness from the beginning.  I still have stiffness in my wrists and fingers in the morning, it just doesn't last as long as it did when I was flaring. kweenb2010-09-13 15:02:16
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