Rheumatoid arthritis

[Zipster369]

Started 6 months ago with left side headache, eye inflammation, sores up nose, fatigue, night sweats, right wrist sore on and off, right shoulder was stiff. I've now got a painful right wrist and it hurts in my ulner region and further down my arm theres a hard bump. Had bloods done before lockdown and my ANA was positive, raised esr and raised ccp and rheumatoid factor was 161. I feel awful and I'm scared its cancer and not autoimmune and now going to be months to see a rheumatologis

[AgedCrone]

Obviously until you have seen a Consultant Rheumatologist nothing can be, confirmed, but all the symptoms you describe fit with a diagnosis of RA.

If the clinicians treating you are proceeding with that ...I’m sure if cancer were suspected you would have been told & referred to an oncologist.

As you are finding out....there is much more to RA than realised by the majority of the population,

If you know where you are going to see a rheumatologist....you could try telephoning to see if they have a cancellation list where you could be offered an appointment at very short notice.

[GeorgiaBulldawg]

Welcome to our world of RA,Zipster. RA is such a painful and cruel disease.

What you described are definitely RA symptoms.

Don’t worry yourself about cancer !!!

One, if you had cancer, the dr who prescribed a blood draw from you would have called you and referred you to an Oncologist, a dr who specializes in cancer. The blessing is that the dr didn’t refer you to an Oncologist but to a Rheumy.

I’m sad yo hear about all the symptoms that you are experiencing.

Call the Rheumy that you were referred to and ask to get on their cancellation list, prayerfully, you will be able to get in much sooner than your appointment time.

I prayed for you😊✝️🙏

[dawkin_S]

Hi there Zipster (great name!)

I'm no doctor, but your symptoms definitely sound like RA, rather than cancer. You're bound to feel stressed and worried without a diagnosis but the fact that you're waiting for a Rheumatologist appointment and not one with a different specialist should reassure you on that score.

I do feel for you in the current covid-19 situation as that is obviously making your wait even longer, but try not to feel overwhelmed - you've got your foot on the first rung of the ladder now, leading to you getting treatment and feeling better. I know the pain is miserable, so don't feel bad about feeling down, just be kind to yourself and take it easy.

All the lovely people here are around for you, whenever you need a boost, and if you need more 'professional' help, you could call the NRAS helpline nras.org.uk/speak-to-someon...

or have a chat with the Versus Arthritis people versusarthritis.org/get-help/

Better times are ahead for you, even if it doesn't feel like that right now. Sending you love and best wishes

[sylvi]

Welcome to our wonderful site. If it was cancer you would have been told sooner rather than later. They would have seen you within two weeks i believe. RA is not a nice disease, but having said that a lot of people can manage their ra more than others. RA changes what it does during the years and there is no cure just an lot of medications to ease our symptoms so if you have RA there is not so much of a worry than cancer. Having said that there is no cure for RA. Lovely name would be interested to hear how you came up with your name. xxxx

[Gnarli]

It's a rotten situation to be in especially given these strange times. Your GP should be able to help with pain relief and maybe steroids to tide you over. They can also prescribe something to help you sleep if you are struggling. Keeping a diary with photos can be very useful to show the rheumatologist when you get an appointment. Some people here have found a private rheumatologist who also works in the NHS for a first appointment which can speed things up but which can be expensive. They have then transferred to the NHS

[Zipster369]

Anyone got tmj too?