So, over the last month or so I've been waking up with stiff and sore hands and feet, especially the fingers and toes, the stiffness seems to work off after an hour or so and the pain ranges from itchy/scratchy pain like chilblains to sharper shooting pains especially in the fingers when typing. I've also been very tired over the last six months but who hasn't with all that’s been going on over the last year and a half. Looking back I've had flares of what I've been assuming is RSI in my hands off and on for years; I work in IT. The ongoing hand/foot pain is new though, strange that the focus of the pain seems to shift from place to place, it starts with an itch and then builds up to pain.
Went to my GP who examined my joints, took bloods and made an urgent referral to rheumatology. GP also said that going by my symptoms there is a high chance of something inflammatory going on.
While waiting for the blood test results and the referral to come through, I'm trying to stay off Dr Google but resisting searching is tough going and I've managed to scare myself with the prospect of a RA diagnosis and treatment. I know that I haven’t even been given a diagnosis and that treatment is available if it does turn out to be RA. I’m also aware that people on here have much more going on than me. Please excuse my rambling but as the title of this post says I'm apprehensive and needed to have a bit of a mind dump.
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dexothenorth
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Welcome among us, dexothenorth. Sorry you are going through this stress but you are very fortunate to have an urgent referral as that is recommended for suspected RD in order to get the appropriate therapy as soon as possible.
All you can do is wait and see what might be found. Best of luck for it.
Hello Dex, I'm new here too and having something similar. I've dealt with scary medical stuff before and the thing that really helped me was to try and notice where my thoughts were when I got stuck worrying. Try and notice whether your thoughts are in the past (I should have noticed this sooner etc) or the future (I'm never going to work again)... Then try and return them to the present moment. Hard to do but it does help.
When is your appointment and where are you based? I hope you get some answers and feel better soon
Hi dexothenorth and welcome. You can dump your thoughts here any time, that's what the forum is all about. I hope you don't have to wait too long for your rheumatology appointment and blood results. Be sure to let us know. All the best. x
Hi there. The first thing I would say is keep away from google. Wait for your results and listen to your Rheumatologist. He/she is an expert and they know what is best. You can talk to us on here anytime and we can all give you our stories and help you with our experiences and we are happy to do that but we are not medical people and everyone is different. When I first came on this site many years ago I was terrified and horrified by some of the things I heard but my RA journey has been nothing like as bad as some people. Try to stay positive and remember that your rheumy team is there to help you. They want you to be as well as you can be. It may take some time to get you on the right meds for you but they will. I wish you all the best and hope you are soon on the way to a more comfortable life.
No one likes to think they might have a new illness to deal with and I think what you’re going through is what everyone experiences; it’s part of the adjustment to change process. I remember making myself feel less fearful by thinking of all the really terrifying illnesses that RD is not. Millions of people live well with RD. I was told they would treat to a target of no pain or damage and it’s been nearly, not quite, like that. I did get the odd flare. Deep breaths and fingers crossed.
Hey, glad you've found this forum, its great for information from people who really know what it's like.
Personally I think time helps alot, you have to mentally get your head around things and grow with things.
There is so much variation with inflammatory arthritis, some people have a few joints affected where others have it everywhere, whichever you have there are medications which will help more than you think they can.
Be kind to yourself, its definitely a marathon and not a sprint and it really helps speaking to others who understand.
Also get ready for "my nan has that in her elbow " ha ha .
P.s
Really glad you've got a referral your GP sounds 👌
Hi! and welcome . As everyone else has said, try and be patient and wait for the results. You have a good GP there! to get you referred so quickly and do the relevant tests - early on in your symptoms is a blessing - the sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can get help, and although the journey will still have worries and stresses, the positive is definitely, the sooner the diagnosis the sooner the treatment the better the future will look. Each of us were diagnosed at a different point .... I had pain for a long time in my hands and it wasnt until they started to deform I actuallly went and asked for help - thinking it would be a simple operation to release the tendon (ha ha). I was diagnosed with seronegative RA - "had I gone sooner" - well - I didnt - so it is what it is. But you have the opportunity to get help "at the beginning" and that is due to you being quick to reach out to your doctor, and they being quick to respond. well done! So, yep, wait for the doctor to get back to you - they have your best interests in mind.
It might help to look at the NRAS website, especially at the pages to do with first appointment. You need to go prepared with a summary of your problems (and don't say you are 'FINE' to anyone!). Ask any questions you have and everyone will wade in with answers and support! We've been there at the beginning and know how scary it all is.
Hello 👋Sorry you’ve had to come here, but everyone is made to feel very welcome and there is a wealth of experience on this forum, if one person doesn’t know, odds are someone else will.
What I will say is, that’s unfortunately how mine started. Hands and feet, in the mornings, usually disappeared by the time I’d got to work - and terrible fatigue. Months later, the feet and hand stiffness and pain wasn’t going anywhere and it started spreading to the rest of my body.
But as others have said, everyone’s journey is different, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be RA, but at least your GP has started you on the route of finding out.
If you find you are diagnosed, there are lots of different medications which can help to alleviate your symptoms, until recently I’ve been in remission for 3 years, so I’ve been lucky.
I've also been talking with close family and on the whole they've been very supportive.
Just got to stay patient and wait for the blood test results, I'll chase them with the GP after a week if they haven’t called me.
I haven’t been contacted by rheumatology with an appointment date but the GP said it could take a couple of weeks to respond to the referral.
So, until I get the results and appointment I’ll sit tight and keep a lid on running through scenarios that aren't real yet and may never be. As snotts mentioned, 'staying in the present' is a very powerful tool.
Ok, today is a sunny day here in the north of Scotland, so I'm heading out for a walk. Got to take advantage of the good weather.
Again, thanks to all for your support, it really is appreciated.
I'll keep you updated as I get further info from the GP and rheumatology.
That's it, I'm in a similar position and we have just got to sit tight and look after ourselves in the moment. I keep thinking with all the uncertainty, if this joint pain is here to stay, if I can't ever crochet again etc, I will have the rest of my life to worry about it so I'm not gonna worry about it now! It works sometimes 😂
Hi pet, we are here to help and support. Well done on the urgent referral I had to wait months due to a backlog of cases then they lost my test results. Tiredness can be linked to many things including personal issues getting you down. Good luck.🐕🐕🦄
Hi, I know it can to scary I was too. However my consultant and nursing team have been great. I have never had to take drugs before so was so so worried. I would rather be in pain than feel sick, all the goggle stuff had me in a spin. I am on Sulfasalazine and by having the travel bands on for the first 2 months I am feeling great. Be kind to yourself talk to us and try not to worry.
I've got some positive news from the GP that my blood tests came back 'normal'. I know that this doesn't necessarily rule out RA; hence the referral to rheumatology, but at least it's a bit of information coming back.
I've got a follow up appointment with the GP next week to discuss things; so for now it's a case of sitting tight until the rheumatology appointment comes through.
It's been great weather the last few days up here in the Highlands of Scotland, getting out and about for walks has been great.
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New, worried and feel lost
feeling a bit sorry for myself :(
When will I feel a tiny bit better 
Feeling a bit scared. 
