Awaiting blood test results

[Wokiandwillow]

Hi. New here. Finally went to the doctors a few days ago. Joints in wrists and hands started swelling which made me go. Never entertained the idea of RA before. Froends had noticed i walk like a duck lol. Had been waking up with stiff ankles..... only 44 and a carer for my 2 boys. Always thought i was overdoing things... so hete i am not sure if i have but just reading in case i do x

[weathervane]

Hi woki , I hope you get some answers soon . This site provide great support and advice, best wishes 🌸

[Ruth12345]

Hi. Let us now how you get on. Take care of yourself as much as possible in your busy life. ☺

[Gnarli]

Hello and welcome. I sincerely hope you are not going to join the RA gang but if you find you do have it there are now treatments that will allow you to live a 99% normal life. Huge hugs

J

[janmary]

Welcome - hope, in the nicest way, that you're not here to stay, but I guess you must be expecting a diagnosis, so take care

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Wokiandwillow, welcome. Well, I hope the blood tests don,t reveal the possibility of a diagnosis but if it does & you're referred to Rheumatology be assured once you've started your meds, given them around 12 weeks to work your hands, wrists & feet should respond & give you some relief. It could be you'll have immediate temporary relief if you're given a general steroid injection or a short course of oral steroids.

We have something in common, before I went to my GP I was forever told I was walking like a duck (or waddling to be precise!), on the outer sides of my feet for some relief. I was just a little older at 48, that was 10 years ago & have had ups & downs as do most but generally ok. It'll be tough for a while being a carer, is there anyone you could reliably ask to help in this transitional period, assuming you are diagnosed of course, nevertheless I would think you need help anyhow with your symptoms.

We're here if you need to ask anything, we've lots of experiences between us so don't think there's anything too small or seemingly simple. Your blood rests results should be in any day now so let us know what you GP makes of them.

[Hidden]

Best of luck with the diagnosis - Hoping you get it sorted, but hoping it is not RA. it's a tough disease to have...