Hi! I’m a newbie | Arthritis Information

Not sure where to start, so I guess I'll start at the beginning. Ya ready? First off, I just turned 30 in April. I've been married for 9 years and have 2 beautiful daughters. My body started turning on me around February. I started with what I thought was a bladder infection and after urine cultures I was told I had no infection, but microscopic blood. So, off to a Urologist I went. Had the Cytoscopy done, nothing found, but he gave me Urised for the Urethra Spasms. All was well and about mid April that went away as quickly as it started.

Then about 2.5 weeks ago I had a pain in my lower right of my back, right above my rear that got worse when I was laying down. When I was up and moving I was fine. That went away in about 4 days. On April 22, after a double header softball game, I came home and felt like I had the flu. I had chills, rapid heartbeat, but no fever. It went away the next morning. Now, this past Sunday, the 29th I had another softball game. I didn't out do myself or anything. The next day around 11am I started getting pain in my knuckles. By the next day it was unbearable, so I went to the doctor. He took some blood and said he'd call. By Wednesday, I couldn't even start my van, so I called and he gave me a 9 day prescription of Prednisone. Things have been wonderful. He called Friday and said that the blood test came back and showed slight Rhumitiac (sorry if mispelled) Inflammation. What does that mean? He said that after my prescription is done, to coast a few days w/o it and give him a call. If the pain, swelling comes back he'll do more tests. Now, mind you this was in my hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Does this sound like RA? Thanks so much if you got this far!!

CinDee

sounds like your body has an inflammatory process going on but it could
also be short lived. lets hope so. If your ESR or CRP came back elevated, it
does not mean you have RA. If your Rheumatoid factor is positive, it still
does not mean you have RA. But it sounds like it is something you need to
keep a close eye on. Sometimes when you get a viral syndrome, it can set
off a cascade of events that can lead to RA though, at least that is my story.
I raeally hope this is not the case for you. There are lots of treatments and
we can control this disease so don't get discouraged. Welcome to the board.Dear Shelley, welcome! Oh, it does sound like this 'stuff' we deal with daily. I hope you can get to an RA doc, just to be certain. Your softball sounds like fun, and I understand your worry about your hands, wrists not working well. Good luck in sorting this all out. SarahThanks so much for the replies. I went ahead and quit softball. It kills me, but I'll live. I start weaning down on my Prednisone today and I'm kinda scared, thinking the pain will come back. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't!

Hi Shelley and welcome! I so understand how hard it is to have our bodies turn on us. I personally suggest an appt. with a Rheumatologist since you did show some positive Rheumatic test results. The sooner that you know what is going on the better but there is a chance that this will resolve itself on it's own like a Reactive Arthritis and I sure hope that is what is going on in your case.

Take care.

Hi Shelly,

I hope this turns out to be something less chronic for you and that you feel well soon, but if it is RA you will find a lot of help here.

Laker