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One thing you have to learn with all AI diseases is not to try to get ahead of things. Wait until the rheumatology team see you & analyse your blood results. ..they are the experts & really do want to be able to guide you through the maze of AID's.

If you have any particular questions write them down so that you remember what you want to know.....the first RA appointment is usually a bit daunting.

We aren't qualified experts here & can only offer support.So look forward to 2018 & if you do have RA , don't read every every article on Google as probably none of them will be relavent to you & might scare the pants off you.

When the time comes, listen to your rheumatology team...& remember more people are given drugs that help them than those who fail, but we don't post here very often as we are doing OK.

Good Luck on Friday.

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Best I can share with you, Mags22, ( healthunlocked.com/cure-art... ) is get on top of it, stay on top of it, & you’ll do well. 😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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🎄 🔖 🎁 🎅 ❄️ ☃️ 🌨 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ 🎉 🥂 🍾 😘 💋

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Diagnosis is based on a combination of things - blood results, physical exam, medical and family history, your description of your symptoms and so on. So whilst those blood test results do point to an inflammatory arthritis I wouldn't want to second guess it. That's for the specialists to do.

The period around diagnosis is often the most difficult, mentally and physically. However, at 7 years post diagnosis the best thing I can tell you is that I'm completely fine and living a normal and pretty pain free life. So try not to google horror stories and stick to the reputable sites like NRAS.org.uk.

Hi Mags, best advice I can give you is to take someone with you to your appointment - if you possibly can. If you're like most of us, you'll come out with head spinning, and having someone there who can either make notes or just remember everything, is a huge plus. Good luck.

Hello Mags, I strongly concur with Helix. Inform yourself on sites that specialise in arthritis and give you sound advice and knowledge, IF you are diagnosed with RA. Do not use Dr. Google.

My main advice is to make a list of everything you'll want an answer for, otherwise you might forget something important to you. Keep a daily journal of your symptoms from now on. It will help you and the health professionals to keep track of your condition. I hope it's not RA/RD, but if it is don't despair. I was diagnosed in 2009 and am in remission since 2013. I live a active and useful life. Keep in touch, we are here to listen.

Thank you for your replies. Could you suggest some questions I should be asking. This has been so unexpected I really don't know where to start. My main symptoms are painful and swollen hands and feet, sheer exhaustion during the day and unable to sleep at night. Oh and sweating which GPs have dismissed previously but I understand can be a symptom of RA

Thank you again

Hiya Mags22. Nothing is certain until you have your appointment & a full examination, further blood tests & imaging is done although if rheumatoid is in the family (not osteoarthritis, that's not the same) it may well be more likely you'll receive a diagnosis.

Best advice I could give you is don't do too much googling, or follow links not related to specialist arthritis sites, it will onlay confuse you or at worst frighten you. Keep to reliable ones such as our own NRAS nras.org.uk or Arthritis Research UK arthritisresearchuk.org or even the NHS choices pages.

As to which questions you should be asking, well, anything that's crossed your mind from first noticing symptoms to your GP giving you your blood test results really. It was my feet that were the first affected, over 9 years ago now, & I wanted to know if the meds would work quickly to ease the pain! Simple I know but that's what I needed at the time, relief from the inflammation & pain. Maybe a read through this would be helpful nras.org.uk/the-patient-jou... it includes questions which your Rheumy may ask you so you could start by listing answers to as many of those as you can. Also any conditions or ops you've had which may be relative, the family connection, those who also have rheumatoid or autoimmune diseases & a list of any meds & doses you take on a repeat basis. This step by step guide may also be useful reading, just tap or click on each step to reveal nras.org.uk/the-inflammator...

If there's someone close who who can accompany you that would help. There's usually a lot to take in, unfamiliar terms & such & two heads are better than one when going over it after you've left. A notepad & pen might be useful too. Wear something easy to get on & off, initial joint examinations are usually comprehensive so best undies on! I wasn't prepared for that & knicks & bra weren't my best, or matching, I was beside myself! If you're taking any otc pain relief or anti inflammatory, or if your GP has prescribed any, it's an idea to stop them a few days before the appointment. When examining you he needs to see your inflammation & when palpating joints your reaction, if you have pain or what scale it is. If you're taking anything even if it doesn't feel particularly helpful it can mask symptoms & he needs to form a treatment plan & have baseline test results of you at your worst.

Hope some of this helps. I do hope you don't receive a diagnosis but if you do you're at least on the way to it being treated. 😊

It is so good to have the voices of experience. All I can say is I wish you all the best for your appointment and whatever the outcome the people who write on this forum will do their best to support you.