Newbie to this site. Help please

[Croft9232]

Hi Everyone,

I am a regular on sister site of PMR/GCA.I have my Annual Consultation with my Rheumatologist in 2 weeks time . I have been Pred free for 5 months thinking my PMR has now gone . I mentioned to him last visit that my hands are very painful and stiff and he thought along with other joints it was a flare of OA.

In the last 2 weeks I have extreme pain in my hands especially in the early hours of the morning , up into my arms and shoulders Some joints are swollen , some are red though not constantly. I know this could be my OA flaring, but wonder if I now have RA? When first diagnosed with PMR in 2019 my bloods showed a positive RF factor, but later I tested negative for it.

My question is do my symptoms match with others who were first diagnosed with RA?

I wonder if it was my OA would the pain be this constant and in my arms and shoulders?

Thank you and so grateful for any replies I am so pleased to be seeing my Rheumie soon I just hope it all makes sense to him.

[Amnesiac3637]

Difficult question to answer as we all have a different experience of how our RA started and what one person has been through may be totally different for someone else and that’ll be really confusing for you.

The only advice to take is your rheumatologist’s expert opinion and everything you’ve outlined will make sense to someone well versed in the ins and out of RA, osteoarthritis, PMR etc. What you’ve just asked us, ask your consultant and take a list of questions and somebody with you if possible.

Good that you’ll be seeing him or her in a couple of weeks and best of luck when you do and you start to get your pain under control.

[Croft9232 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you. That makes total sense.

[sylvi]

Those are questions for your rheumy, but your in a flare of some sort. Write down all your symptoms and show your rheumy when you see them. Hugs. xxxx

[stbernhard]

Sorry you're in such pain. Keep a journal of your stiffness, pain, fatigue and mood every day. Just score them 1 to 10. This will be very useful for you and your consultant at your appointment. Good luck

[Croft9232 in reply to stbernhard]

Thank you. Great idea the scoring.

[Retirednhs]

Th