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Could this be RA?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/25/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I usually post in on the fibro board. I've had that for 10 years. A couple months ago I started to have a sore achy knee. It's not both knees, only just the left knee. There is no swelling or redness. I got both the bloodwork and xray done and everyone was normal. So, I didn't really think it was RA. But a couple days ago my left thumb started to hurt and right now it's sore and there are sharp shooting pains. Again, not both, just the left thumb. i've been reading RA is typically symmetrical. I'm only 31, so I wouldn't really think that I'm getting Osteoarthritis yet. These symptoms in the joints aren't typical of fibro, so I'm a bit worried. I'm just worried it could be the beginning of RA because my grandma had it :(
Posted 3/26/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
To put your mind at ease make an appointment with a good RA doctor in your area and write all this down and go over it with an RA doctor, maybe get more bloodwork and maybe hand mri's or x-rays...
that's what I'd recommend...Many Prayers and well wishes to you.
Keep us posted as we do care.
Posted 3/29/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I agree go see a rheumy to get an answer-much better then worrying.

The only thing typical about RA is that it is never typical.
I have seldom had both knees swollen at the same time-it is one then the other, right more then left. My right hand has much more damage then my left.
Posted 3/31/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks for your replies! I went to a Rheumy that wasn't that good at all. It was when I was only having the knee pain and he did all of the blood tests and xrays and said that I should be glad I don't have RA....well that doesn't tell me anything since I've read that RA can take a long time to kick in fully. And this was before the thumb pain I was having. I was thinking that I didn't have it, but because of the thumb joint pain (upper joint), I'm really worried now. I need to find a better rhuemy. I am going to an orthopedic doctor on the 10th so hopefully I will get an MRI done on the knees and hands to see if it will show anything.

I just keep reading how different RA is for every person, so this could definitely be the beginning stages of it and I'm scared :(
Posted 4/1/2013 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
ask your orthopedic doctor if he knows a good RA doctor, sometimes they do, might be worth a shot, but definitely get into another RA doctor, he should've done an mri, my ra showed up first on a hand mri...bloodwork for me did nothing but show vitamin D and B-12 deficiences...but my RA doctor worked with me and is still helping me...Many well wishes and keep us posted, but definitely try another RA doctor....
Posted 4/2/2013 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
It's surprising how much has changed-I was diagnosed almost 20 years ago. I have never had an MRI for diagnosis or monitoring. However, that seems to be the standard now.
Posted 4/5/2013 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Chartreux and Sjkly for your responses! I have had my primary physician send my info to a good rheumy, so hopefully I will get some answers. I'm seeing the Orthopedic Surgeon next week and will ask for an MRI.

If I do have RA, should I be scared? Everything I've read about RA scares me for sure. I talked with my primary today for a bit about it and she told me that most people do well with treatment when it's caught and treated early before it does damage. If I have it, I'm hoping that's the case. How are you two feeling with this disease??
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