Hi,
I’m still not diagnosed for sure but am having problems with hands on & off now for weeks. Bad day today, knuckles throbbing & tingling, wrists hurt. All joints in hands feel like seizing up, body stiff as well after rest. Does this sound like RA? Rheumatoid Factor 55, ultrasound, bloods normal. At a loss to what else it could be. Any thoughts appreciated, ss
It certainly sounds like it to me. What's happening about it? Are you on any meds, steroids, pain killers? They can't leave you like that. Have you rung your Rheumy or GP? If not, ring tomorrow as the weekend is coming up and you need advice now. Have you tried Paracetamol or anti-inflammatories? Good luck. xx
So sorry to hear you are suffering Sunnyseas. As springcross has already said I would give your GP or if you have been referred to a Rheumy a call and explain as you need advice and something sorted for you. Again if you are already on some meds maybe these may need looking into or adjusting/ changing. Take care and I hope you get the advice, support and relief from the stiffness and pain you are in. Best wishes to you x
I second the other answers to your post.xxx
I was the same as you for 12 months bloods were normal dr said it’s your age it’s arthritis most people get that take paracetamol. I pestered them and eventually got another blood test it’s only border line 🥴after 18 months I was diagnosed with RD now after 2 yrs I am good life is fine so my advice is keep speaking out keep pestering them don’t sit quiet ok hope you get sorted big hug s 💐
You definitely need to be proactive and ensure that you receive the treatment you need!
If you are told that there is a waiting list at your local hospital, ask to be referred to another one!
My understanding is you can have RA with more or less normal bloods, and there are other types of inflammatory arthritis: I have psoriatic arthritis, which is almost always seronegative i.e. no abnormal bloods at all including RF and antiCCP. I was in the middle of my worst ever flare at Christmas, and my crp was 4. As a result of always having negative bloods, it’s taken me 10 years of back and forth to get a diagnosis, which meant I’ve got far more joints involved than I would have done had someone looked beyond ‘you’re so young’ and ‘your bloods are normal so it can’t be arthritis’. The psoriasis that triggered my arthritis was a single patch on my calf as a 13 year old that lasted about 18 months. Didn’t spread, wasn’t even that bad, and I’ve never had any since, but it was enough to trigger an autoimmune response against my joints. Turning point for me was my new GP decided to get a scan when one of my fingers got really swollen: she said to me at the time, that without that swelling, she never would have considered arthritis a serious possibility and has learnt something herself as a result.
Goodmorning, I have a diagnosis of seronegative RA, so all my bloods markers are normal.
Around 1/3 of people with RA are initially seronegative, but there is still a reluctance by some Drs to act on symptoms, so keep pushing for a referral to rheumatology if you don't already have one.
Definitely get back in touch with your GP, it is so awful for you not having adequate pain relief. So sorry for asking, memory like a sieve. Are you waiting to be seen by a rheumatologist, I do hope so. Meantime you need adequate pain relief and support. Gentle hugs x
Hi Summerrain - thanks for your kind messsge. I’ve seen the rheumatologist twice now. Palendromic rheumatism then suggested fibromyalgia. I really thinks it’s early RA. Wrists, fingers, knuckles, now toes hurt. Ultrasound of hands normal. Only indication of RA are my symptoms & RF of 55. I gave naproxen/omeprazole, cocodamol but haven’t taken them regularly enough. I’d just like a diagnosis, take care, ss
Hi Sunnyseas, I would really encourage you to contact your rheumy team again and explain the progression of the swelling and pain in your joints being. If possible it would be worth having a chat with your GP about pain relief and other options. I have a diagnosis of sero negative RA as my bloods are all negative for rheumatoid factor etc. I was seeing my rheumatologist for a year before my RA was diagnosed. There were mentions of osteoarthritis which I do have in my knees, and hyper mobility before my joint swelling and pain increased and a year later RA being diagnosed. It is so hard to find the confidence to report changes to the rheumy team but it really is the only way as otherwise they will think you are doing okay. How long have you been taking the naproxen and cocodamol? Am I right in thinking you are not taking them regularly? I need to take my naproxen daily alongside my RA meds so may be worth trying to build them up in your system or the rheumatologist may ask you to do this before looking if other meds are needed. Do let us know how you get on won’t you? x
Thanks Summerrain, I’ve only been on naproxen for a month, will definitely do as you suggested & let you know, take care ss x
Hands are in a vice.
Arthritis getting worse 
Sulfasalazine, feeling much worse 
