Hello. I just found this site/board while I was looking up info. on RA. Since June 15 of this year, every morning I wake up with swollen, painful hands, and it pretty much sticks around all day. I've been to the doc, and he has done a lot of bloodwork, but I don't know the results yet. He beleives I have RA, just by looking at my hands and ankles. My ankles are bit swollen as well. I am having such a hard time sleeping in the early morning hours, from the hand pain and swelling. I don't know how to get rid of it. I don't know what will happen at my next appt, in about two weeks. I am sure my bloodwork won't show much - it never seems to! Any ideas what my Doc. may suggest next? He mentioned referring me to a rheumatologist at my last visit. Well, thanks for reading all that. I think I am just feeling stressed about this, and worried about my hands. This swelling seems be unstoppable!
Oops...did I post this in the wrong spot? If I did, I am so sorry!
Nope, this is the right spot!!!
Anyway, welcome to the board, I'm glad you found it.
Linda
As far as your bloodwork not showing much, many people here are sero negative and still have RA. Once you get to an RD, he'll be able to look at the whole picture and hopefully come up with a diagnosis. :)
Welcome Brooke, glad to have you with us.
I agree that you should see a rheumatologist. The swelling and pain that stays through the day, certainly could be RA. The only way to know for sure is to see the right doctor, who can diagnose you. Just don't get discouraged. It can sometimes take a while to get an accurate diagnosis.
Try not to worry. It seems like your MD is going to send you to the right doctor.
Be well,
Nini
Hellooooooooo!!!!!!
I am sero-negative! Welcome to the......er, club, I guess! LoL
Welcome Brooke,
This is a great place to hang out. If the pain and swelling are real bad as it sounds they are you may want to ask your primary for some predisone until you see the rheumy. It works miricals for a lot of us.
Let us know how things turn out.
Hi Brooke and welcome to the forum. I agree with all the above about getting an appt. with a rheumatologist as soon as possible. Are you on any meds? Keep us posted. LindyWelcome,Hi Brooke and welcome - sorry you have to be here but you'll get loads of tips and laughs too.
Make notes of your swelling and pain - duration, time of day, what you were doing prior to the pain etc for when you see a rheumy. I don't know what your over the counter equivolent would be, but I'm in the UK and took 2 paracetomol 3 times a day prior to my rheumy appointment - it helped enormously with the pain. Do your swellings feel hot? Have you tried cool packs? I love shopping in the frozen food dept if my hands are hot and hurty
Good luck
Hang in there.
From earlier posts I see that you've already been given excellent advice. Aleve worked for me for a long time and may help with the pain and swelling. I've had ankles and feet that got so swollen, I thought they would burst. They don't. But I found elevating them helped some. Not sure how to do the hands though.
Welcome Brook, get to the Rheumy as soon as possible, but talk to your GP about pain relief, so you can get some sleep. Sleep is the most important thing when you are fighting a chronic disease. The rest of the advice on here has been great as usually, but the missing link is sleep.
I did get in trouble with my Rheumy, because I was not taking the pain meds and sleeping. He told me...hmm...I bet when your kids are sick you make them sleep, right...yes...well, that is what you need too. So, he actually takes a count of my pain meds when I come into the office. I am always under what I should be because I try to take the least amount and then raise it if I have to.
Welcome Brooke,
I remember the fear and anxiety prior to being diagnosed. Not fun
This site is filled with great advice and friendship. I agree with the others that Aleve or Ibuprofen may be helpful until you can get an appointment with you Rheumatologist. But be sure to check with your doctor first incase there is a reason you can't take these over the counter drugs (allergies, stomach problems, taking blood thinners).
Hope you feel some relief soon.
Hi and welcome Brooke, excellent advice from everyone! Jump right in and join us, I know I love meeting new people, just hate the circumstances
Thank you to everyone who posted to me - I will have to go over all the tips again. This place is so great. I feel a bit better knowing these problems I am having are (somewhat) common - around here anyhow...
Oh...my bloodwork is all negative, except the ANA, which was positive, but I don't know the titer, or any other details...
Welcome Brooke. I'm sorry about your hands, but glad you will get to see a Rheumy soon. That was a very good idea about the photos of your hands. I'm also seronegative and had positive ANA. It doesn't seem to be that uncommon. I'm sorry you have all of the ouchies, but very glad you found us. This is a very wonderful place to be. Take care and let us know how your appt goes. Again, a very warm welcome!
Hugs,
Jen
Hi Brooke, welcome to the boards! I have nothing new to add, just make sure you find a doc who listens to you. I'm lucky in that regard. I hope you get some relief soonWelcome Brooke, looks like you are set to join us, I am sorry about that, but this is a good place to visit and all of us understand how you feel now, will feel in the future and have felt in the past, best of luck, get a good rheumy, GP, pharmacist, physio, etc etc, you will need a whole team of people. The only thing that helped me when I was diagnosed was the prednisone, I still have to take it due to intolerance of other meds, but hey, it gets me through the day moving instead of bedridden,lots of luck to you, love Janie.Hi Brooke & Welcome to AI
A doctor that you can build a good doctor patient relationship with is key.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Hello and welcome! Glad to hear you are getting that appt with the rheumy! Loads of info here!!!!