Fatigue, stiffness, is this ra?

[Sunnyseas]

My rheumatologist couldn’t decide if I had ra as I gave early symptoms. Bloods only showed raised RF. ultrasound of hands ok, no synovial swelling.

Today I feel stiff all over, flu like, hands particularly bad, have been swapping computer mouse to work but it’s not helping. Feel like I’m seizing up. Going for a walk hasn’t helped either. Have phoned by gp for a call back. This has been going on for a month now, some days not so bad.

Does this sound familiar to any of you. I know something isn’t right.

[Lolabridge]

Hello Sunnyseas. I’m sorry that it has taken one of us so long to reply to your question. It will be because the answer is “don’t know.” We cannot give you medical advice, only let you know about our own experiences.

From your blood test RF result and your more recent symptoms it does sound as though it could be early RA or a similar inflammatory disease. I hope you were able to get advice from your GP and if your current symptoms continue I suggest you contact your Rheumatology consultant or patient helpline.

I hope your symptoms diminish soon and that you can get some help.

[nomoreheels]

I can only think your post was overlooked, most odd. Anyhow, what did the Rheumatologist say exactly? What were his thoughts of your symptoms following his examination of you, is palindromic arthritis the only condition mentioned if so did he go into detail the differences between the two & explain that it is rare by comparison, notoriously difficult to diagnose? Were medications mentioned at all? If not what was suggested to help ease your symptoms for the meantime, that is if he's arranged imaging, further blood tests etc, bone marrow for you. DMARDs & NSAIDs are commonly prescribed so I would hope options were discussed. You see the problem is whilst there are commonalities that would suggest RD we can't really help further than we have already. Fortunately though if it does turn out to be PR the good news is it doesn’t destroy joints as RD can & the treatment is similar to those used to treat both early & late onset RD so we can help there,

Does the naproxen still help at all, & did you get an prescription for a ppi to stop tum problems?

[Sunnyseas in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi nomoreheels - naproxen has helped, along with omeprazole. Spoke to my consultant again and he is thinking it may be fibromyalgia now.. not ra. Seems to be a process of deduction to get a diagnosis.

[Hezekiah in reply to Sunnyseas]

Yes, a long slow frustrating process at that. I sometimes think this is where a computer programme would be useful. Add in your information, and see the 274 potential diseases or conditions which it might be (plus maybe you should also see the ones ruled out).

Diagnosis is an art, not a science, I suspect.

Best of luck with it.

[nomoreheels in reply to Sunnyseas]

Ah, well then it might be an idea to pop over to the HU Fibro group, they may be able to relate & advise you healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Symptoms can vary though from person to person even with a firm diagnosis so do take each experience into account, some may differ a little from yours so don't be disheartened. It's a horrible position to be in, I empathise, but hopefully your symptoms given a little more time will become obvious & a treatment plan can be formed for you. All the best from here on in & we're here if ideas change again.

[Rashford20]

It sounds fairly familiar to what I experienced. I didn’t realise anything was wrong and put it down to playing sports, not having enough rest and winter months. Is it worse in the morning then gets gradually better through the day? I have no knowledge of fibro but I thought it was muscle related as opposed to joint?