possibly arthritis

[Starry1977]

hi, I’ve not been diagnosed with anything yet. For a while I’ve noticed my fingers a little uncomfortable on a morning when making a fist. For the past maybe 2/3 months I’ve now noticed more uncomfortableness in my left hand , the knuckle at base of little finger and wedding finger hurt to bend after no use. Now I’m feeling a similar pain in my other hand along with my thumbs. They also feel a little weaker, like pouring the kettle. I can’t really tell if there’s any swelling but it’s like my bones feel tender to press like a bruise. I was thinking osteoarthritis as I’m 46, but now I’m feeling in both hands was wandering I f RA can just start? I had X-rays on Monday and just waiting results. I also have other inflammatory conditions, iritis, hla b27 positive and endometriosis.

[Happyrosie]

it’s all possible, starry! You should have a blood test too which helps doc decide what it is and whether to refer you onwards.

[Starry1977 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks I'll see what x-ray say first then. I had some bloods when I started with iritis but I think that might have been the hla one.

[piglette]

My mother got osteoarthritis in her hands at 40 years old. I try and exercise my hands by opening and shutting them. I think it helps.

[Batty1]

Do you have a family history of Psoriasis?

[Starry1977 in reply to Batty1]

Yes my sister has it

[Batty1 in reply to Starry1977]

Oh then that explains your iritis and positive hla b27 test …. You should be assessed for psoriatic arthritis… If you have no psoriasis you still have a 30% chance of having PSA .

You should seek out a new rheumatologist who understands Psoriatic Arthritis and clearly your current Rheumy doesn’t or he would have said something if you mentioned your sister has psoriasis’s.

[Starry1977 in reply to Batty1]

I haven't seen a rheumatologist just my go who sent me for x-rays. I saw a rheumatologist 5 years ago when I got itritis but he only checked for ankloysing spondylitis then sent me on my way.

[Batty1 in reply to Starry1977]

Well you should see a Rheumatologist and one who understands Psoriatic Arthritis.

[LizDav2321]

Menopause? Lots of similarities

When I was peri menopausal my main symptom was aching joints , especially in my hands, a bit flu- like?

Been a lot better since HRT but now also diagnosed with OA, in hip and neck so who knows, probably linked ?

[Starry1977 in reply to LizDav2321]

I don't have any flu like symptoms. Definitely peri I think as I've awful hot flushes . I also have lower back pain and my hips are terrible. I get lots of aching into my legs. Ive put it down to my endometriosis but will see if anything shows on x-rays. Feel like I've aged 50 years in the last 5 lol

[Purple_Badgers in reply to Starry1977]

Oh, Starry… that last sentence… I’ve been feeling exactly the same about myself! I’m 46 but suddenly feel 76, over the past 4/5 years. (Endo, arthritis, fibromyalgia) xxx

[LizDav2321 in reply to Starry1977]

Totally get you on that ! 😬

[LizDav2321 in reply to Starry1977]

totally get you on that ! 😬

[Runrig01]

I agree with Batty re possible psoriatic arthritis, or spondyloarthritis. It is notoriously difficult to diagnose with the average time taking 8.5yr. How did the rheumatologist yeasts ago prove it wasn’t AS. The only way of knowing for sure is going an mri, which has to be a stir sequence, to highlight inflammation. I would check your symptoms against this referral criteria, and if you score ->4, get referred again to rheumatologist. They have access to many meds to alter these diseases, that a gp can’t prescribe.

bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2...

[Starry1977 in reply to Runrig01]

I just had x-rays if my hips which they said was wear and tear 🤷 I know some of my back pain is from my endo as I have it quite severe with extensive scarring. But not sure why my hands are stuff on a morning and they knuckles feel tender to press, like pressing a bruise. I never thought of psoriatic arthritis as I don't have psoriasis that's why I was wandering about rheumatoid.

[Runrig01 in reply to Starry1977]

My rheumatologist says that sometimes the only evidence of psoriasis, is pitting mark or marks on the nails. Apparently it can be very subtle. As o say if you ec out re 4 or more In the criteria, push to see a rheumatologist

[secondhandrose2]

I also get swelling and find taking a Naproxen eases it when that happens. Its a med that is supposed to be accumulative but I find one reduces all inflammation so I can garden etc. I go for weeks without taking any, then either have Omeprazole stomach liner an hour before the Naproxen or make sure I've had a large milky drunk first. I don't tell my GP as they wouldn't approve my doing my own thing, but itvworks!