Hi. New and confused

[Carrielei]

Hi all.

I've recently been experiencing pain, weakness and mild swelling in my hands, arms and a like in my knees. I'm an award winning nail tech so my hands are important to my career, which is now taking off in a big way. This pain abd weakness has been going on for about 6 weeks. I've had two blood tests, both normal alright a slightly elevated ra factor in the first. It was done two weeks after this started. I've had xrays which are normal. Now I'm waiting on an mri which is taking forever (good old nhs) my pain and weakness changed on a daily basis, doo dies the morning stiffness.

Also, 5 If my nails have lifted. It looks like psoriasis which i have on my scalp and big Tues but never on my fingers. I have a small lump at the base of my middle finger which is the same finger i woke up in say morning with, my finger nail was agony. I soaked off abd saw that it had lifted a lot.

I know a lot about finger nails so i know it could be linked to this problem, whatever it is.

Now I'm in limbo waiting for mri, I'm on cocdamol for the pain. They won't consider anything else until RA is ruled out. They have put in initial report that it's rsi...

I'm only 39 and self employed so can't be off sick. I'm really hoping it's not RA but don't know what else it could be.

Can anyone advise me on what i can or whether this does sound like RA?

Thank you in advance

[ITYFIALMCTT]

It could be a number of things, including Psoriatic Arthritis (another inflammatory arthritis) so it's good that you're having investigations for this. Psoriatic arthritis frequently affects the nails so you might look at this?

There's another HU forum for inflammatory arthritis and it might be helpful for you to post there? healthunlocked.com/nras

[Carrielei in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thank you for replying. I did wonder about PA. O haven't been back to drs since my basis went bad but feeling ill again today so if i still feel the same tomorrow I'll go back. I feel like I'm just wasting there time abd being melodramatic. I'll have a look in the other forum.

[Hidden in reply to Carrielei]

You are not wasting anyone's time. Any form of inflammatory arthritis is serious, to say nothing of the pain and disability. You owe it to yourself to push for answers. Look at the info on Arthritis Action, NRAS, and Arthritis Care websites. You're at the start of your journey, I hope you will find out what you have. Best wishes. xxx

[Carrielei in reply to Hidden]

Thank you poemsgalore.I have phoned the rheumatoIogist yesterday to v find out that i am not in the urgent waiting list for a scan of my hands. It coukd be months before I'm seen. I have asked that my rheumatologist call me back urgently so i can tell her the new symtoms I'm having. Hopefully that will push them to get me in sooner.

[arthritis_action Partner]

Thank you for sharing your story and sorry to hear of your experience Carrielei - we hope you find the support here helpful and are sending you our thoughts to get a diagnosis soon. For information on RA and Psoriatic Arthritis we have some helpful information on our website: arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

All the best and keep us updated on how it goes.

Despina, Arthritis Action Comms Team

[Carrielei in reply to arthritis_action]

Thank you for the support. I am now waiting for the outcome of an ultrasound, my symtoms are getting better which i am obviously happy about but the Dr doing the scan said he can only see the disease when it's active. I guess I'll just have to wait now and see wgat happens, i think that's the worse part. Wondering if and when it will come back.

In the meantime i am going for complimentary therapy as i am a great believe in holistic treatments and the mind/ busy connection.

Thanks again. Its good to know i have somewhere to turn for advice and support should i need it.