Advice needed

[Wheezy09]

So I delivered twins last year and since then I’ve been having hand pain that got worse. Then it started in my feet and ankles. I saw a doctor who said my symptoms was due to my post partum depression and put me on Zoloft. Fast forward to now and my pain has got progressively worse where it now burns I’m my joints of my fingers wrists, toes and ankles. I saw a podiatrist for my foot (left is worse). MRI was done and showed that I have peroneal and Achilles tendinitis but no tears or ruptures. I had no injury. I saw a new general doctor Monday who ordered Labs and included RF, ESR and CRP. My RF is negative, ESR is 36 (0-20) and my CRP is 17.1 (0-9). I’m now going to see a rheumatologist on the 20th and wondering what I might expect at this appointment?

[Hidden]

Your story is very common. I too was told I was depressed and treated for. My bloods were negative for RA but now I know I’m seronegative which doesn’t show . Even when I’m having a flare and there is visible evidence my markers are clear.

Your first appointment they will start asking questions.

Are you stiff on the morning? How long does it last? Do you suffer with fatigue ( silly question you’ve got Twins 😂) but fatigue is when you have no control over the overwhelming crippling tiredness when even lifting a cup to your mouth or even watching tv is too much.

They will ask about your pain and swelling in your joints.You will have a DAS test which includes pressing on your joints to test for pain and discomfort, blood tests.Next if they think you a showing signs of inflammation they will x- ray and ultrasound your joints looking for inflammation.

Coping with all this while having twins is very challenging for you. It’s a great bunch on here who will offer brilliant advice.

Write things down before your appointment start a diary just jot down some key information at the end of the day take photos of your swellings if you have any these all help with a diagnosis.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Xx hug those beautiful babies these are what keeps you going

[oldtimer]

If you put 'First Appointment' into the search box, you should get previous posts on this subject. There is also some advice on the NRAS website about what to expect from your first appointment.

There will be a lot to take in, so take someone else with you if you can. Wear easy to remove and replace clothes. Write down your history so that you can give it easily and quickly without leaving anything important out. Be prepared for further tests, waiting for results and frustration while they work out what is likely to help you. There are no easy answers...

[Campaigner]

I spoke to a woman recently who said the difficult birth of her son 11 years ago brought on RA.

Good luck. Pauline xx

[Juliachoo]

Hi, your fist appointment is to assess you, check your joints & do more bloods. Was the RF factor test an anti - ccp? If not they will probably do this test. Hopefully you will start on meds very soon too. Good luck & keep posting on here, it’s a friendly site where you can find info. Also check if NRAS have any monthly groups on your area & if you havnt done so yet subscribe to NRAS as you get all the latest info on new medication xx

[Wheezy09 in reply to Juliachoo]

The RF test just says R.A. quant. Nothing about anti-ccp. What is that test?

[Ann2020]

They should give you an ant-ccp test, as that has the highest specificity of all the inflammatory blood marker tests. I was negative on all except that one.