Is it rheumatoid arthritis??

[Sholla]

Hi guys ive recently been getting alot of joint pain. Every joint cracks inc my spine. My shoulders and hips are painful with a burning sensation, random bone and nerve pains in limbs, rheumatology appointment months away ... does it sound like RA?

[Neonkittie17]

I had other symptoms but you can’t assume anything as it can be different for many people how it starts, but can be in pairs of joints and smaller joints first for many people, but again not always. I’d tell your GP and they will probably do an initial blood test but not always conclusive by a blood test alone, so it’s a combo of things they look for and if your symptoms persist your GP may make a rheumatologist appointment. They will then do physical exams of your joints/possible scans of them and blood tests. Speak to the professionals as we’ve all had difference experiences here. Good luck,

[Hidden]

With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone here will be able to give you a yay or nay. Some of us will have symptoms similar to yours, some won’t, but inflammatory arthritis, and there’s more than just rheumatoid arthritis in the inflammatory arthritis stable, can present quite differently for different people. Diagnosis is a combination picture taking symptoms and test results into consideration alongside any relevant personal and family medical history, and even when you get given an arthritis diagnosis, the label can change as symptoms change over time.

Has your GP done blood tests to check your rheumatoid factor and anti-ccp, as well as your inflammatory markers (esr and crp) prior to referring you to rheum, and do you know the results? Have you had an ultrasound or other imaging on a swollen or painful joint? Have they tried you on steroids like prednisone? Both ultrasound and response to oral steroids would be definitive for an underlying inflammatory condition. For me, what you’re describing could possibly be arthritis related, but they’re also fairly non-specific symptoms, meaning there are other things it could be, too: they’re not what I would describe as the headline symptoms associated with RA or other forms of inflammatory arthritis that you typically read about on here, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not arthritis or rheumatology related.

[Sheila_G]

You need to see your GP who will send you for blood tests and will refer you to a Rheumatologist, if necessary, to decide what treatment is best for you. Everyone is different and needs to be treated individually. All the best.

[Runrig01]

As others say it’s impossible to advise, as inflammatory arthritis is more than just the pains we experience. Most but not all will have raised inflammatory markers, and your GP should see if your positive for rheumatoid factor.

What makes your pains worse. Generally inflammatory arthritis eases when your moving around, and worsens with rest. Whereas osteoarthritis or mechanical causes tend to be worse with movement and ease with rest.

I have ankylosing spondylitis, which mainly attacks the spine and pelvis, although it can as in my case affect most joints in the body. It tends to start in your 20s, and progresses over time, eventually fusing some of your joints. Have you discussed your issues with your GP, and taken the first steps in getting bloods done?

[Tourk]

It could be, but then it might just be, could even just something you've eaten, a change in lifestyle or a vitamin deficiencyWhat ever it is you need to see your doctor even if its just for peace of mind.

Improve your diet, eat some red meat and drink plenty of clean water. The most important thing is don't cook with vegetable oil, unless it's sunflower or coconut oil.

Eat butter not margarine.

This is based research into the harmful effect of plant based oil on our health. Seems cleaver marketing is very effective. I was shocked by what I found when I started researching it.

I've found creatine monohydrate very effective at treating RA along with other health issues. I always advise doing you own research and if in any dought talk to a medical professional.

It's worked wonderful for myself, sometime ago I gave some to my solicitor who was suffering and he is still on it. .

.

[Jackie1947]

Could be osteoarthritis who knows but your GP could do a blood test before your rhuematology appointment. Mind did and I was RA sero positive. You can have RA without being positive that's when they look at signs and symptoms.