Hi. I know you can’t diagnose, but I wanted to ask about symptoms I have & whether RA sounds like the right track, as I’m so confused.
Been having joint pain - started with left wrist feeling like burning & sore (I kept taking my watch off as it felt tight too), then my hands & elbows (both sides) got painful. Really stiff on waking or if I’m sat down for a while. At end of day, if I’ve done anything more than sit on the sofa (which I’ve been limited to as feeling so rough), I feel like I’m coming down with flu, joints screaming, and temp spiking (though I don’t feel hot).
GP ran blood tests - it’s complicated by me having had acute thyroiditis last Feb and since then WBC count high (specifically basophils & platelets). Those still up, waiting for RF result. CRP up a little bit. Doc asked about joint swelling but wasn’t noticing any.
But Saturday night, hands felt really tight, and spaces between first knuckles on hands were swollen - felt like fluid. This keeps happening in the evenings.
My Rheumatologist appt was done as urgent but isn’t til end August. I somehow found the NICE advice saying with joint swelling referral should be within 3 week (or 3 days if urgent). Obvs covid, but should I press? Or could this just be something viral? Don’t want to waste anyone’s time.
GP who called Monday & looked at blood results wasn’t remotely bothered. Even when I mentioned swelling. I took photos as tbh I wasn’t sure if that’s what the swelling would look like.
Disagree with RA diagnosis - where do I go from here?
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Hi Kay. That hand does look swollen and all the other symptoms you have mentioned do seem to indicate an autoimmune disease, possibly RA. I'm sorry you are suffering like this but at least you have a Rheumy appointment soon.Although your CRP is not much up, if it's up at all it could be significant. And even a negative RF test doesn't necessarily rule out RA. Did you get a chance to show your GP the photos? If not you could ask the surgery to send you a message link so you send the photos on with an accompanying message.
Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply. GP didn’t seem interested when I said I did photos, but I might send them to the original GP who did the referral. Good idea.
At least I have an appointment, that’s exactly right! Thank you!
Unfortunately, the GP who called you on Monday will have been focussing on the blood test results and probably not really listening to you when you mentioned the swelling. It is a real danger with telephone consultations, my consultant has a tendency to focus on the blood results, and it's really important that you emphasise what else is going on with your body!If you haven't started to do so already, I recommend you start making notes about your symptoms daily or regularly so you will have a summary of your symptoms by the time you see the consultant for the diagnosis appointment.
I was lucky to have face to face with the other gp 2 weeks ago, but you know how it is with phone appointments! I honestly *think* the thyroiditis was start of an autoimmune thing which is linked. It’s just that I haven’t been well since then.
Buy at least I don’t have too long to wait to see rheumatologist.
Thank you for the tip - I will do. I took photo of thermometer at 38.5°C the other day & put time & date. I’ll keep a log of it all. Great idea.
do as much as you can to be comfortable and maybe chat to your GP for some steroid to allow you some form of relief till the appointment if they feel by talking to you this w ould help. I had to wait 12 weeks for the first appointment which was in 2019 so though NICE guidelines say how quick it is not the reality that is happening out there in the clinics unless very lucky.However a lot points to an AI condition but just try to get rest in and pace yourself and b comfortable as you can.
Oh no - I’m sorry you had such a long wait - that must have been awful. Hope you’re doing ok!!
I’m wondering (& tbh I know so little) if this is linked to the thyroiditis in autoimmune nature.
I’ve just been to supermarket & am in agony. Thank you for your kind reply!!