Scared ...

[Mariechristine]

I wasn’t diagnosed yet, the pain in my joints only started one week ago. All joints hurt one after the other for literally 10 seconds at a time. It’s like the pain travels from one joint to another.

The pain is more than bearabler. It’s very mild. My joints feel bruised when i press, especially in the feet and ankles.

I spent a lot of time reading online and i’m scared.

I wouldn’t suspect RA if it wasn’t for the eye inflammation which started over a year ago out of nowhere with no other symptoms whatsoever. Doc gave me steroid when he realized antibiotics didn’t work. I didn’t even know what RA was until i googled « joint pain and eye inflammation » last week.

I am sooo scared. I am supposed to travel at the end of june for 6 weeks.

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

Not sure if i should leave and go to Europe as planned ? Can damage been done in 5 weeks?

(Again, i didn’t experience a single joint pain until 7 days ago. )

Please any advise would be great. Thank you

[helixhelix]

Don't be scared. Even if this sign should of early RA it's not disastrous, we all manage to live our lives with it perfectly well. And remember that what you read on the internet isn't always true or representative of the majority of people with the disease.

Anyway, the joint pain doesn't sound typical so could well be something very different. The eye inflammation seems more possible as some people's disease does start with their eyes. So you do need to go and discuss with a doctor. Do try not to over research this, as that can influence how you explain things so you emphasise some things rather than others that might be more important for a diagnosis. Let the doctor determine what is wrong.

And don't change any plans until you have a few more facts to go on.

[Mariechristine in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you soooo much.

[Mariechristine in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you , i’m just so worried about going on a 5 week trip with pain off and on. And wonder if damage to the joints ( which is irreversible I read) can be done.

Leaving on June 29 to Europe until August 7.

You are right about google, i don’t even think i’d be so scared if I didn’t read and these articles.

How long was it between your first pain and doctor visit/ diagnostic/treatment ?

Sorry, i’m new to this.

Thank you.

[helixhelix in reply to Mariechristine]

We were all new to this once.... I had niggling aches in joints on and off for maybe two years before my GP referred me to a rheumatologist. And then it took a couple of months for the appointment during which time the disease really went mad. But over all that time I only sustained a small permanent erosion in one toe which amazed me as the pain was horrific. Often the level of pain doesn't match up with the amount of damage. You can have pain and no damage.

[Mariechristine in reply to helixhelix]

So sorry : very silly question

Can you have damage with no pain ?

Since the eye inflammation started a year ago with no other symptoms.

Million thanks

[helixhelix in reply to Mariechristine]

Sadly I think that's also possible with this disease in terms of it affecting other bits of your body than the joints, but with the joints I believe you can normally feel it, plus you get swelling, redness and so on. Others will correct me if they have had joint damage without pain est. And

But I really get the sense that you are worrying yourself into a frazzle before there is much, if any, evidence that you have a chronic problem like RA. Which is not to belittle your concerns, as you do need to discuss this with a doctor. However try not to imagine the worst, at least not until there is a bit more reason to.

If you feel you do have to google, then stick to reputable sites like NRAS.org.uk , there's a lot of alarmist stuff around.

[Mariechristine in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you so much, you are 100% right.

I’m sorry.

[Matilda_1922]

In the early days it was thought I had carpal tunnel as I had similar pain a few years earlier but in one wrist/hand. Had physio and pain seemed to go.

So I went the carpet tunnel way. Eventually saw a hand specialist who did some tests and MRI showed synovitis in wrists joint. A referral was sent to rheumatology and more tests later RA was diagnosed 10 months after the pain began in both wrists and hands which came on from one to the next.

As helixhelix says don't Google as you will have conflicting advice. I didn't even know this group existed. So couldn't seek advice either.

[Mariechristine in reply to Matilda_1922]

Thank you , i’m just so worried about going on a 5 week trip with pain off and on. And wonder if damage to the joints ( which is irreversible I read) can be done.

Leaving on June 29 to Europe until August 7.

You are right about google, i don’t even think i’d be so scared if I didn’t read and these articles.

How long was it between the first pain in your wrist and diagnostic (and treatment) ? I read a lotnof people wait one year to even see a Doc

Sorry, i’m new to this.

Thank you.

[Mariechristine in reply to Matilda_1922]

Thank you sooo much

[calamityjane1971]

Don’t worry so much. You haven’t had a diagnosis and it could be something else. You don’t describe typical RA symptoms. Google can be a dangerous tool, it isn’t your friend it seems right now. Stop looking on the internet! One thing you can do is get travel insurance so if you do need to see a doctor while you’re away then you can. You may find going away will help to relax you and forget about things. Stress can make you have physical symptoms like pain.

Enjoy your time in Europe.

[Mariechristine in reply to calamityjane1971]

Thank you so much.

You have no idea the difference that messages make. I do feel pain in my joints, now my pain is mild but non stop travelling from one joint to another ( especially ankles); my mind on the other end doesn’t match my symptoms at all.

I just wanted to be happy , focuse on my child’s birthday ( this weekend) , my job and my trip.

I’m just mad at the timing , very depressed and scared. Not a good combination !

I always get travel insurance, I travel alone with childen.

Thank you sooo much for taking the time to write.