One symptom missing. No stiffness.

[lovemydoggy]

Don't have a definitive diagnosis, but pretty darn sure early RA. Rheumatologist said it was a possibility back in April. Symptoms were very minimal then, but have and continue, to increase. One thing that doesn't fit is the complete lack of stiffness, which I know is a hallmark symptom. Any input would be much appreciated.

[sylvi]

Every person who has RA/RD never ever gets the same symptoms as another one. One might have the stiffeness yet another won't, Write a diary about your symptoms ready when you see the rheumy darling.xxxx

[lovemydoggy in reply to sylvi]

Thanks for the reply. I'm keeping a diary of symptoms as I wait for my referral.

[Shalf]

Hi there, they also say that if a joint on one side becomes inflamed then it's very likely the same joint on the other side will become inflamed too, kind of mirroring. That hasn't happened in my case. Different joints affected. What Sylvia has advised is what I would do. A diary is very helpful. X p.s - I love your little 🦉 😄

[sylvi in reply to Shalf]

Darling i only had symptoms on one side for years and th other side was never as bad as the right side has been. All my problems have been worse on my right.xxxx

[Shalf in reply to sylvi]

Same! Right side is where it started and where it affects most. xxx

[sylvi in reply to Shalf]

It was my right knee that was really bad when i had it replaced. My right side is the domimant side always. The left side is catching up these days.xxxx

[Shalf in reply to sylvi]

My right hand has been traumatized poor thing! Neck op was right side too. RA likes to be right!

[sylvi in reply to Shalf]

There is no escape from it once you've got it darling sad to say.. My right side has always been the worst.xxx

[lovemydoggy in reply to sylvi]

My right side too. Seems like no matter what level it is my right hand and right foot are always a tad swollen.

[lovemydoggy in reply to Shalf]

Thanks Shalf. I took up painting. Good therapy. Once I forgot I had pain I was so immersed in it. Anyway, I just decided I'd try it and painted an owl. Now it's become a hobby. So that's my wise owl.

I hopefully asked the rheumy if RA was always symmetrical. She didn't even say it was a possibility, but I was thinking it. She looked at me with a wince and said no. Mine is now sometimes, kinda, sorta. In other words, just does whatever it feel like. Yesterday and today very mild. Just there enough to let me not forget about it. Changes all the time.

[Shalf in reply to lovemydoggy]

Lovely owl painting. I like it, colours are great.

Re symmetrical joints, my Rheumy said this typically occurs. Nothing appears very consistent with RA, guess we just have to deal - come what may! X

[lovemydoggy in reply to Shalf]

Indeed

[sylvi in reply to lovemydoggy]

I have got my acrylics out now Christmas is over i will get some canvas's to colour in(pre-printed canvas) I did a colour by numbers of a cat before Christmas for my daughter in law and she was chuffed to bits with it. I will buy some more colour by numbers now we are in the near year theyare not as easy as they look,but i did enjoy making them. I also made my daughter a winnie the pooh quilt cover for her bed as well. I intend to make something for my son,the one i was going to do for him was eaten by a pest in the garage while waiting for it to be put on a frame.xxxx

[helixhelix]

I didn't have morning stiffness when first diagnosed, which was fine by me! Then suddenly after a couple of years it appeared. RA can be very odd.

[rosie1928 in reply to helixhelix]

Same thing happened to me. the stiffness came years later and came with a vengeance.

[lovemydoggy in reply to rosie1928]

Years, that's amazing. Tiny bit of my brain saying it can't be RA if I'm so limber. Oh well. Looks like RA to me more and more.

[VeronicaF]

I didn't have swelling at the start, and I thought I can't have RA as people on here had swelling, well I have now

[lovemydoggy in reply to VeronicaF]

Good point. I've got the swelling. It's all so complex. I can see how it takes a really long time for some to get a diagnosis.

[beanieboy]

Hi, I truly hope you don’t have as it’s pants to have to deal with it. So here’s hoping you get a clean bill fro RA.

[lovemydoggy in reply to beanieboy]

Here's hoping! Thanks.

[Gnarli]

I didn't have stiffness in the beginning, just hands like inflated marigolds. It was when the feet started that stiffness joined in making me walk like the tin man. As Sylvi says, we're all different in our experience of our condition. Wishing you well

[popsmith1874]

As Sylvi says keep a note off symptoms for your Rheumy and here's hoping it's not RA xxx

[Hessie5]

I had the stiffness, mainly right foot and ankle, tenderness but never really swelling. It spread September 2018 to left foot and ankle and finger. As mentioned, it varies for us all.

[Jaxine]

Mine started 5 weeks ago First symptom was on the ball of my left foot, I couldn't walk on it properly. One week later my left arm was affected, I basically had to sleep on a chair all night it was so bad then my left knee I was reduced to crawling around I could even get onbor off the loo. Then a few days later it was totally symmetrical it happened on the tight hand side right foot, right arm, right knee. Then my fingers, feet, wrists and my neck again symmetrical always starting on the right hand side. Basically 4 weeks of a massive flare. My bloods came back high C Reactive protein came back at 57 should only be 0.4. Positive RA. Very stiff huge swelling. I'm fine now had steroid injection and started Mtx.

[lovemydoggy in reply to Jaxine]

That's hopeful the medication worked. I'm anxious to find out what the rheumy says.

[Jaxine in reply to lovemydoggy]

No I've only been on it 3 days think the steroid did for a little while

[lovemydoggy in reply to Jaxine]

That's right Mtx takes a while. Forgot about that.