Feeling like a faker

[SmithsOriginal]

I dont think I have RA I think maybe I have something, my body hurts but I'm 50 and played hard soccer fullback old school way for about 17 yrs ,also went through a weightlifting stage and had no problem moving houseful of furniture on my own with 2 young children many a time, in other words I have not been gentle or kind to this body. so I think aches and pains are expected I read all your posts and dont feel as though I belong I dont feel that bad or seem to have the same symmetrical problems. Yet my specialist insists it and says I cant fake or mistake 2 positive results. My aches seem mostly down one side maybe it's just sciatic I'm sure it is ,.. or maybe I'm just in denial

[helixhelix]

I think you are in denial! None of us wanted this diagnosis, and many of us were previously fit and healthy people with no history of illness, let alone a chronic one. It is something that often doesn’t sit well at first hearing.

Were your inflammation markers (ESR and/or CRP) raised at all?

Early arthritis can niggle along for years. Hindsight is great and I don’t think I’m alone in being able to identify signs and symptoms for a couple of years before it got to the level to convince a doctor to refer me. I have never been symmetrical - that is common but not obligatory for the diagnosis.

However, the good news is that if treated promptly, early inflammatory arthritis can be controlled and lead to quick and permanent remission, and even drug free remission. So listen to your doctors.

From research I've read, it’s at this stage that lifestyle changes can make the most positive difference to the development of your RA. So if you smoke, stop. If you are overweight, ditch those pounds. If you eat lots of processed, fatty and sugary foods, swap to healthier options. And try to destress as much as you can and get proper nights’ sleep, so you can do daily exercise.

(And nobody describes sciatica as an ache!)

[SmithsOriginal in reply to helixhelix]

Thankyou helix , you have made me feel oddly better and gave me some good advice , my CRP is 5

My ESR is 35

[helixhelix in reply to SmithsOriginal]

Enough said! I’d believe your doctors.

[SmithsOriginal in reply to helixhelix]

So are my numbers normal for someone with RA or are they low

[helixhelix in reply to SmithsOriginal]

Normal is below 5 for CRP, and 10’ish for ESR. Labs vary, and some doctors have different opinions. CRP tends to rise & fall more quickly with acute infections, and ESR reacts differently and is more associated with the type of inflammation we have (and people with lupus). Levels can rise into the hundreds, so yours are merely adding another clue for the diagnosis.

But we each have our own natural levels. Mine are naturally very low, and an ESR of 35 would have me in bed chewing painkilers whilst others could happily climb everest. You will learn what your body is like in time.

[SmithsOriginal in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for that it gives me an idea of where I am at, sometimes I do secretly cry myself to sleep , but for the most part im so used to being sore that it's kinda normal for me now I guess that's why i feel like a fraud sometimes, theres a lady i work with who has RA and is constantly saying to me that she cant believe how much i work and how active i am like I'm lying or something , but for me most of my pain is when i stop so i just dont stop lol, pain is not new to me but RA is

[helixhelix in reply to SmithsOriginal]

Her RA is not your RA, and not like mine or anyone else’s. This is a very variable disease. And maybe being active is helping you as the worst thing for RA is sit down too much - exercise at whatever level you can manage is so important.

Sure you can cope at 50, but what about 60, or 70 or 80? Don’t you want to head into older age in as good condition as you can? So tackle it now and move on.

[JFlay in reply to SmithsOriginal]

I'm the same, fine when I'm doing things (I'm a groundsman/woman 😂) but as soon as I get in bed all the aches and pains start 😒

[helixhelix in reply to JFlay]

Classic RA! Better on movement and worst at rest....opposite of osteoarthritis.

[Hidden]

I know how you feel - because I’ve been through the same set of feelings. Just because you’re not currently feeling it doesn’t mean that you don’t have RA - the good news is that your joint damage is probably not very advanced and you have the opportunity to stop it in it’s tracks. Keep reading the forum, it will be helpful, all the best, cheers Deb

[Hidden]

So easy to think it’s not happening to you and that it will be mind Over matter especially if you’ve been very active I’ve been there. You think you can do what you use to be then you hit a wall. Hopefully you’ll get some help now. Any questions any number of people maybe able to give advice here.