Rheumatoid arthritis

Looking like l have now got it, true, my mum had it. They say it's not catching. Lol understand to do with immune system and as l have adult bronchilitis my system is just that. Anyone got any info.

[Bliss2]

Pamela hi my hands have lumps on them and my fingers are bent is that rheumatoid arthritis also i to have bronchitis love Bliss xx

[Bliss2]

Hi Pamela can you tell me if your hands have lumps on them and fingers bent only that is what mine are like i also have bronchitis love Bliss xx

[Hidden]

Hi , I haven't got it but my mom has, and yes her fingers have been bent for years and now she has two very painful lumps on her hands, they have suggested physio to try and help with the pain as well as pain killers. X Sonia x

[Bliss2]

Thanks Sonia , sorry about the two posts has my pad didn't seem like it was working xx

[Hidden]

Hi Pamilia...my mum had severe rheumatoid disease. My understanding is that it's an auto-immune disease where somehow the body attacks itself. I hope some day soon they find the right kind of treatment for it and I also send you my best wishes and relief for your pain. Lovelight xx

[Louisiana]

Hi! I have emphysema and I have arthritis and osteoporosis (and lots of pain!) My mother, all of her sisters and my grandmother all ended up bedridden with arthritis and osteoporosis so I keep telling my doctor it's genetic. My bones are a total mess....I am determined not to be bedridden and I am 76 at the moment and just about still moving around....sooo there's hope for me yet Of course in my parents and grandparents days there weren't any medicines to help. You take care and try not to stress out about it. Night night

[Offcut]

I have had bronchitis from an early age and was diagnosed with RA in my knees in my 20's Mainly caused by 2 freak accidents to both at different times to different knees when I was 11. I now also have Arthritis in my feet, hands, spine, neck and shoulders.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because many conditions cause joint stiffness and inflammation and there is no definitive test for the condition.

You should see your GP if you have these symptoms so they can try to determine the cause.

Seeing your GP

Your GP will carry out a physical examination, checking your joints for any swelling and to assess how easily they move. Your GP will also ask you about your symptoms.

It is important to tell your GP about all your symptoms, not just ones you think are important, as this will help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.

If your GP thinks you have rheumatoid arthritis, they will refer you to a specialist (rheumatologist).

Your GP may arrange blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis after conducting a physical examination and consulting your medical history, or they may refer you at the same time as requesting tests.

Blood tests

No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but a number of tests can show possible indications of the condition. Some of the main tests used are outlined below.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

In an ESR test, a sample of your red blood cells is placed into a test tube of liquid. The cells are then timed to see how fast they fall to the bottom of the tube (measured in millimetres per hour). If they are sinking faster than usual, you may have an inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

A CRP test can indicate if there is inflammation anywhere in the body by checking how much CRP is present in your blood. CRP is produced by the liver. If there is more CRP than usual, there is inflammation in your body.

Full blood count

The full blood count will measure your red cells to rule out anaemia. Anaemia is a condition where the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen, due to a lack of blood cells.

Anaemia is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, although the problem can have many causes, so having anaemia does not prove that you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies

Specific blood tests can help to diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis, but are not accurate in every person. About half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis have a positive rheumatoid factor present in their blood when the disease starts, but about one in every 20 people without rheumatoid arthritis also tests positive for this.

Another antibody test known as anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) is also available. People who test positive for anti-CCP are very likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, but not everybody found to have rheumatoid arthritis has this antibody.

Those who test positive for both rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP may be more likely to have severe rheumatoid arthritis requiring higher levels of treatment.

Joint imaging

A number of different scans may also be carried out to check for joint inflammation and damage. These can help differentiate between different types of arthritis and can be used to monitor how your condition is progressing over time.

Scans that may be carried out to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis include:

X-rays – where radiation is passed through your body to examine your bones and joints

ultrasound scans – where high frequency sound waves are used to create an image of joints

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans – where strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used to produce detailed images of your joints

niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/B...

Be Well

[Hidden in reply to Offcut]

Thanks for info. Blood test auctioned just need to wait now.

[Hidden]

Thank u to all who replied. Been on presidisolne,steroid, for a year now. Just changed docs and he wanted to know why l had not been given calcium tablets from day one which l understand is normal. Think that's why bone problems as this steroid thins bones. Th arthritis blood test ordered. Been given calcium tablets now but fear to late. Ten days till results.

[Alexabell]

You can try Omega 3 supplement as an alternative anti inflammatory, it is also good for heart health.