Scared... Just tested for RA factor

Hi all,
I am 28 years old and work in an IT firm.
It all started on 22nd may when I felt that I had been losing weight too steeply.
23rd may I had pain in the middle two fingers of my right hand. Pain wasn't much and I figured it will subside with time. Well, it didn't though it didn't get worse too.
24th may, I woke up with a stiffer fingers on the right hand and the wrist were a little stiff too. Through the day, the pain, though not much ( much like an uncomfortable feeling ), kept moving up to the forearm. My wrist and forearm muscle in the right hand felt fatigued when I used them for some work.
Around noon the my forearm in left hand kind of had the same stiff, fatigued feeling though much less in degree.
25th the pain and the uncomfortability moved to shoulders on the right side.
Nothing much on the left though apart from a little uncomfortable muscle fatigue when used.

By noon I could feel the bones in my hips whenever I sat. There was a tingly feeling bordering on pain when pressure was put.

So I decided to take a RA factor test. It is prudent to say that my father also had RA.
My RA factor came out to be 29. Which I know is well above the reference range of 20.
Although I understand its just a reference number but could someone tell me what an RA factor of 29 IU/ml mean?

Anyways, by night, there is funny feeling in my knees and my right heel. Its uncomfortable though not very painful yet.

I will consult a Rheumy next week as I am shifting houses this week. I just hope it doesn't get bad.
The pain in the fingers comes and goes. Like there is nothing as I type this but suddenly the left thumb will sting a little or sometimes the right finger. A constant nagging feeling in knees and heels remain.

There hasn't been any swelling, redness etc till now, just the stiffnes and weakness and fatigue. I have been having some abdominal pain as well every now and then. The appetite has gone down too.

I am so scared right now that It is difficult to explain in words. Suddenly I am unsure of my career, my life. Not married... No partners. Everything has become a blur in the last few days.

Lets hope Meeting rheumy brings some better news though I don't have high hopes !!!

PS: As I write this, suddenly there is a pinch in the front side of my left ankle. First time for that joint.

Post Edited (D_R_S) : 5/25/2014 7:59:45 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Don,

Thanks for the reply.

I have got the appoinment confirmation for Saturday 31, 2014.

As for today, it has been a difficult day in office. Concentration levels are down, Due to stress I believe.

Although physically it has been pretty  much the same. No redness, Soreness , Swelling yet.

Although the pain in the knees is a tad more than yesterday. A little pain in the tailbone. But then hands are wrists feel better than yesterday. Hips have behaved fine as far as sitting long hours are concerned.

Your reply was very re-assuring. Thanks Don. Stay healthy.

regrds,

Dev

Hi J,

Thank you for that reply. I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through unnecessary pain.
I have a question. Did all these symptoms progressed gradually or was it sudden?
I have been having this since the past five days but there hasn't been any redness, swelling etc. I can make a fist and I can run but the intensity and power has gone down a little.
Thanks again. :)

In general, I get up these days looking for stiffness and pain in my fingers and knees and feet. Last night it was the turn of the sole of my feet to join in the league of partying bones. Worst part is that with my appointment date on Saturday is still 4 days afar, My restless and scared mind is wrecking hell on me. Earlier I was going to see the doc next week since I was shifting places this week but now I have taken an appt for this week itself. Now I just hope Saturday comes sooner. Anyway I have decided to make a few dietary changes so that even if it is RA, its progression could be slowed at the very beginning.

Stay Healthy.

Regards,
Dev