Hello all I am new here and would appreciate any suggestions or support you could offer. I am 34 years old and "teatering" on the side of a RA diagnosis, which Dr.'s have been playing around with for the past 14 years. I first started when I was 19, I would have major joint pain to the point were I could not move that joint for a few days. I always blamed it on either either softball (in the spring) or volley ball in the fall and winter , thinking I must have done something while playing a sport. There was never any swelling or redness involved. A few years later my family Dr. did a RF and the result was >320, well I saw my first Rheumatologist who had me on plaquanil and some time of sulfasalamine(?). Things got better, then they didnt, but I never went back. Things seemed to be ok except for some foot pain in the morning. I realize now that once I had stopped taking birth control there was not much joint pain. A few years later I was pregnant when some of my worst pain occured. I remember laying wishing someone would just cut my leg off right above my knee and all would be better. I puttered through the next year when I had moved. The first Dr. I saw here did not think It was RA, since #1 there was no swelling, #2 My symptoms seemed worse when I was pregnant or on birth control He sent me on my way with some naproxen. Well I was still having pain. Discusted with the rheumatologist I just did not go back. In the mean time I was started having steroid injections for my "plantar facistis." (RA??) Finally having so much pain I decided to see another Rheumatologist. Again, no swelling, pain when pregnant.....But he ordered a anti-CCP test. Well go figure very positive. He said that with my blood work I should be presenting as a severe case of RA. But again back to the symptoms... I cannot diagnose you. If you have any problems call back. At this point I have lost all faith In Dr.s. I began to think It was all in my head. I have been going through life now for the past 3 years, coping with my foot pain, buying new tennis shoes every 3 months because that must be the problem. Until now................I actually had pain and swelling, Well the smart DR may finally think something may be wrong. My toes and my pinky fingers started hurting and some swelling. I can hardly walk, so I went back to the "Brilliant Dr.", who may want to reconsider, but again I am only 34, which he seams to be stuck on. So he started be on naproxen after a few days, no help, so he called me in a perscription for clinoril....after 5 days still no help, so I will call on Monday....Now I found this web-site and am scared to death. This has always been a pain that I have delt, with now reading all the posts I am very worried,,,
Obviously, I can't diagnose you but your symptoms are very similar to mine. I hope you can find a doctor you like and trust.
p.s. and age doesn't matter...I'm only a couple years older than you.
I had "plantar faciitis" also and it progressed to my kness, hands and ankles pretty quickly. I 2nd Trixie. Another Rheumatoligost is in order. I went through 3 of them myself. Like you I had no swelling but a lot of pain but unlike you I had and still have negative labs. Now I have the swelling.
When you swell take a picture which is what I did as we all know a rheumatologist appt. is the best anti-inflammatory there is. Quite strange since your labs are so highly positive. Has anyone x-rayed your feet?
Has anyone had problems with their toenails, Mine are thick and crumbly. Fungal cultures came back negativeBad nails can be a symptom of Psoriasis and along with joint pain, swelling etc. can be Psoriatic Arthritis which is where my Rheumy lean towards for my Dx. The same meds are used so he just left it as RA since I am in the middle of an SSDI claim.Hi Sheripp, like Trixie66, I'm only a few years older than you, so age just really makes NO difference.. I have the thick toenail thing..but nothing is wrong with them, I can Thank God for that! I have had that since I can remember and I was only DX'd in Oct. of last year. My experience only there. From everything I have read here, Doctors are very relucant for insurance and alot of other reasons to DX RA or any of it's imitators. From listening to many RA doctors talk , they can't quite grasp the anxiety involved with having it or waiting for a DX either. Don't give up on Doctors altogether though. Good ones do exist. I can't tell you how many Doctors I went through as a child on a matter altogether different until I found a very good one. Don't give up hope...ever.
Hi and welcome to the board. Age has no factor in RA. I was diagnosed 12-13 years ago and I'm now 38. I also have the thick toenail thing going on and have had it for years. Tried everything under the sun for it too.
Hopefully you doctor will get a clue and get you started on some RA meds since your bloodwork is high and you are presenting with swelling and pain. If he keeps hesitating, it might be time to find another doc. I know that is frustrating, but there are quite a few people here that have been through 3-4 docs until they found a good one.
welcome to the board, I'm also rather new here and have found so much helpful info I can't tell you! I had 'bad feet' but also did everything (including 0 orthodics) rahter than be treated for Arthritis (the first diagnosis from the first foot doctor!), finally I went to a GP who sent me to a RA who put me on plaquinel. I was on that for several years until I started getting migrane type headaches, changed docotrs and then took Methotrexate (7 for flares, 4 regularly, and less as I felt better, I got to adjust the dosage, myself) Now because of a special circumstance I'm taking Remicade, Methotrexate 6 x 2.5, and Predizone 15 mgs. which are the life-saver on the short term until the other meds take hold. If you don't treat this your joints will get worse, if it is RA. Good luck and it might take several mounts (yes) to get this figured out. Hurting less but still stiff in hands nad feet, ankles this morning???Who knows.