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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/23/2013 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
I started the post of "stiffness" and still looking for an answer--if there is one.. I understand the variables but when I visit Dr Google I constantly read that RA presents with stiffness in the morning or after rest. I do not see my Reumy apt until July 18th and looking for a little info. Like I indicate, it started with me about three months ago in my right mcp and pip index and middle fingers. mild pain that was episodic in nature. Enlarged boney structure of mcp and crepitis. Finally went to Doc-GP,, who did blood and x-rays and said OA. Last week it moved to left hand same location. Call the GP and asked how conclusive his dx was and replied it was not and referred me to Rheumy. Meanwhile, when I search Google I keep reading about stiffness in the affected joints after rest/morning which I have never had. Swelling which I do not have only minor redness. I also have some migrating muscle pain. Am I reading correctly about the stiffness? Is it hallmark for RA in the affected joints and is swelling and redness always present? I believe I red the older standard for a RA dx included morning stiffness.

I truly appreciate your insight!
Posted 6/23/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
HI and welcome to Healingwell. I would just like to point out that everyones RA is different. Some ARE stiff in the morning, and some aren't. I sometimes am, and sometimes am not. Maybe no one has answered this question because like me, they don't really have a concrete answer for you. This question is an excellent one for your rheumy (rheumatologist) who specialize in this. I also have read that you get redness with swelling, but I do not go red. So....even though I do not get red this does not mean I do not have RA. Im not trying to be ignorant or snobbish and sorry if it seems I have attitude. I am not trying to . Please ask your rheumy and maybe they will be more helpful, its their job right? Fire questions at them so that you can learn what is happening to you. :)
I hope someone answers you with a more helpful answer, but welcome anyway.
Posted 6/23/2013 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Tayisa,

I truly appreciate your comments. You were very helpful. I keep reading the stuff on the internet which generates these questions. A month to go before my appointment.......... I guess I was fishing and again appreciate you help.
Posted 6/23/2013 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have inflammatory erosive osteoarthritis. The minute I use one of my fingers doing repetitive things or things requiring extra exertion, one or more of my finger joints gets very painful. Some days my left hand hurts, but usually after I have overused my right [dominant] hand.

Waiting and wondering is difficult. From what you have described, it sounds like your GP was correct. If not, the rheumatologist will be able to explain what is happening and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Let us know what the rheumy says.
Posted 6/24/2013 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your insight. I continue to attempt to educate myself by visiting Dr Google and just become more perplexed. Like I indicated I do have redness and now sometime a mild burning in my mcp's. First two on both hands. It is better with rest nor is it painful when I push or squeeze them. From what I have "read"normally ra inflamed joint are painful when squeezed. Is that another inconsistent variable?
Posted 6/24/2013 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
For me yes its a standard when I am flared up I feel stiff especially after sleeping but also in the evenings. I get a lot of swelling, when my RA set in originally my middle fingers on each hand were affected. First the right would swell up like a sausage as well as other areas of the hand and wrist then it would start to subside and then the left side would flare up again the size of a sausage could not move it at all with excruciating pain.

When I am not extremely flared up I don't have near as much stiffness. I think that in part there is some confusion over stiffness. I dont always exhibit it but I do when I am untreated or in a severe flare even using medications.

I am an A typical RA person with a long family history. I have tested positive for all the markers.

I wish you the best and I hope that you recover fully.
Posted 6/24/2013 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome have you looked at mayo clinic i found a lot of info there when i started google searching the problem with searches is you can get a mix of info that can tell you you have everything from small pox to hayfever, it can get confusing and sometimes worry you more.

being a RA person for a Long time now i have So many stories to tell especilly of the journey that was the Diagnosis stage, i had one Rhumy Shouting at me (yes he was p @*#%) but he said No Swelling No RA . so i went home cried and suffered in silence for Months till i Had to go back to Hospital where a Very Nice Rhumy said you can have RA without swelling, (i had inflamation inside me not showing in joints) my RF kept coming back Positive so did All the other tests. then i had another Rhumy tell me i had an Auto imune Diesease But Not RA,

 then Finally a QC (Big Time Specilist) actually Apologised for what i had been thru and Stamped my Paper RA with Auto imune Fibromyalgia, so then i was at least Diagnosed. this all took 5 years

what im getting at is Every One can Present Diffrent Symptoms and Not all Rhumy's are Equal so shop around, keep Asking Questions.

Posted 6/24/2013 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again to all for your words of assistance. one question I still have, among others is in "most" cases are the affected, specifically the hand joints, tender if squeezed like a hard hand shake?
Posted 6/24/2013 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, it would literally bring me to my knees were I to shake someones hand in a flare up.

I can barely pick up a cup of coffee and I can't lift the pot. Just brushing my hands against something brings extreme pain. This is of course when I am in a BAD flare up which is again not the case most of the time. When I say bad I mean can't work, can't barely move about, exhausted and in extreme pain.

-Don
Posted 6/24/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks,

Don_D or anyone in regard to the joint sensitivity, was it a component in the early stages as well before medicated and dx in the involved joints?
Posted 6/25/2013 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
Yes it was. I had developed nodules on my knuckles as well at that point as well as my feet. My hands and feet both were extremely sensitive. Sometimes to the point I could not walk.
Posted 6/29/2013 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
moesterman, you are so welcome though I know I really didnt say to much. I know you are googling your info, and where that can be helpful, please be sure to ask your rhuemy the questions you have even if you have googled it. I too googled for info when I first found out I had RA, and now that my doctor has added she thinks I have Fibromyalgia as well I google too. But found I had to stop googling too much as it made me worrisome of future problems that could happen. Kinda like I was a time bomb waiting for something new to set me off....
dont get me wrong I do ask questions on here,and get helpful responses,and google as well but take all the info kinda one step at a time, RA,and chronic illnesses are very complex and scary...good luck, and I am so glad others have started posting to help you out. I knew there would be people on here who could give you helpful input :)
Posted 7/8/2013 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed around 9 months ago, I have had some bad flares and my knees never swelled or get red, but my hands are swollen every morning. The stiffness every morning as well. You should see how I have to get out of the bed because of my knees, hips, back and hands. If I didn't hurt so bad I would be laughing at myself. So I understand what you are talking about. I have asked myself time and time again if I am just imagining all this pain, but I know that I'm not. God bless and I will keep you in my prayers. Keep your faith and I pray it's not RA!
Posted 7/8/2013 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with Ra for about five years now.  Sernegative RA.

I have morning stiffness and it's just as bad when I have been at rest for an hour or two.

My am never pain free.  But drugs help me keep goin and I just learn what I can not do, and what I have to do differently.

I have been on MtX for over 5 yrs.  Have been on Humira, Enbrel, Simponi and now, Orencia.  Switched recently from Diclofenac and put on Prednisone.

I have almost NO range of motion in my wrists.  Hard firm handshakes kill me.  I wear wrist braces when I sleep.

I have bad right knee, much fluid on it.  Used to have fluid removed, but now it is more "spongy-like" and cannot be removed.  Cannot flex it well, and is so hard to get and up off knees, or the floor, due to my knee and wrists.  (try not usuing YOUR wrist to get up off the floor)

I am contemplating knee replacement or wrist fusion.  Not sure which I should have done first.

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