new to this site,,, my hands and knees hurt alot. HELP

my hands hurt to bad...................all the time.. not as much numbing as swallen and hot feeling.  and my knees hurt. i have never had any blood work or anything for arthritis but i am starting to wonder what i might have it is so painful.  what would i have to have the doctor do to know if this is arthritis.

I am sorry to hear that you are in soo much pain. But I do agree you should go to the doctors as soon as possible.  They will want to know where your pain is, if its in both hands, both knees, the intensity of the pain.  They will probably do blood work.  As in your blood work they can see inflamation, and other things to help diagnose you.

I am recently new to all of this too.  But I was told by my doctor that it was good that I went in right away rather than later on, as now they have a better chance of helping me.

I hope you get the help you need soon.  Take care.

Hi MommyP - I recognize you from the Ostomy site.  I'm new to this forum also, but I've been having soooo much pain in my hands and wrists (and to a lesser extent in my knees and ankles) lately that I thought I'd jump over here to see what I could find out.  I saw your post and thought I would respond.  I can't remember your story, but I had UC and had my colon removed a year ago.  I had the j-pouch surgery and no longer have a bag.  Back before my UC was diagnosed I saw a rheumatologist for what appeared to be RA.  Then, after I was diagnosed with the UC, it was determined that my RA was actually reactive arthritis from the UC - an autoimmune disease.  The pain and stiffness and swelling went away for a while, but I was on prednisone for so long that I'm sure it was controlling it.  Now I've removed the colon and the colitis and the prednisone, and the pain has recently come back with a vengenance!!!  My hands are virtually useless early in the morning until I shower.  After that, they loosen up some, but the pain is still there and I can't function normally.  I have to get help with things like opening bottles and jars - even if they've already been opened before! One day I had trouble turning the key in the ignition to start my car.  I don't know what to do about this.  The pain actually woke me up the other night because it was so bad.  I'm taking something called Mobic, but it doesn't seem to be helping.  I have an appt. with a new rheumatologist on 1/20, but until then......?

Anyway, I wonder if our stories are similar and if anyone here has any thoughts, I would certainly appreciate your input.

Thank you!