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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 12/10/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, I have had lots of pain lately in my hands more my right than my left. They did a carpal tunnel shock test and said it doesn't appear to be that. I have inflammation in my body and test positive for RA, but am 35 and the dr won't diagnose me. What else could be going on? Thanks!
Posted 12/11/2013 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'd be tempted to ask for a referal to see a rheumatologist to check out whats going on. They will recognise and know if it is RA or something else. If the doctor you refer to is a rheumy then ask for a 2nd opinion with another one. Symmetrical joint pain is one symptom of RA but there are many more.

Don't give up go for another opinion, best wishes, golitho

Posted 12/11/2013 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Ty! I am on my second RA dr.. They seem to not want to help me :(
Posted 12/12/2013 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there! It took me 3 years to finally get a diagnosis :(

That said, don't give up and document the hell out of your condition. Take pictures everytime you are flared up and swollen and ask the doctor if you can get in to see them for tests using a cancellation or standing order for blood work at the local urgent care facility.

That is how I was finally diagnosed. I would flare up and by the time I was finally able to get in to see the doctor I would be coming out of it and although my sed rates were high etc they didn't have enough info to make a positive diagnosis.

Finally I was able to get in when my knee was swollen up so bad I couldn't walk and it looked like I had a grapefruit growing out the back of it. They took a bunch of fluid out of it and tested it and came back sero positive and then they finally started looking for nodules and other signs and the rest is history.

Immune system diseases are a real head scratcher I think to most physicians. The symptoms can be hard to pin down and timing seems to be a big deal when it comes to doing tests. Maybe they are on the right track and you don't have RA. It very well could be something else that might be easier to treat. I really hope it is and that you recover fully and don't have to suffer any more pain. -Don
Posted 12/12/2013 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Don for the advice!!! It's funny you bring up urgent care.. I spent lots of time in the er last year and every dr I saw there said "honey you have RA now they need to find treatment" but the RA dr have not helped.. The funny think about the inflamation is I don't have a lot of visable inamation, but can barley move my hands and wrist and neck and low back issues. I tested positive for lupus as well last year, however I tested negative this year.. But still test positive for RA. I would love to not have it however I would also love a diagnoses too.. I do have vitiligo so it is my understanding that with an auto immune disease you can be prone to other ones. Who knows but I am young and feel like crap 95% of the time which sucks.. Now the RA dr wants to wait for the MRI on my hands to do anything more.. That won't be till the end of the month..
Posted 12/17/2013 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Don't be afraid to keep finding a good doctor. Ive probably went through 10 rheumatologists before I found a good one. I just wish I was diagnosed quicker than I was. Im only 30 yrs old and have to get my knee replaced because of all of the damage the inflammation. Good luck with everything I hope you find a doctor you can trust soon.

Brian
Posted 12/17/2013 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Ty Brian! Wow I thought I was young at 35, I don't imagine being younger.. But can't imagine how it will be when I get older! Good luck to you as well!
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