how do you get diagnosed?

So my mother has arthritis. she had a positive RA factor and she's on medication now. So with the possibility of having arthritis in family, I'm extra anxious about it. I've been through tuberculosis treatment and during that i've experienced back pains. but few months ago I started having symptoms which i recognize as being somewhat like the ones my mother was having. Like aching and burning feet and hands, pain in arms and cracking sounds coming from joints. So I went to see the doctor and the RA factor came out negative, but I had high level of uric acid. So after taking medicines for few days I felt better. But the popping sound from my right still happens from time to time. I do have a higher ESR rate.

few days ago I started having the pains again, little more intense this time, both my arms, wrists and hands are burning and aching. Not too sever but still uncomfortable. I hear the cracking sounds when I walk and that freaks me out. I've heard that the RA test cannot always be trusted for diagnosing arthritis on time. How did you get diagnosed and how was your experience with the diagnosis?

Since there's a clock ticking always in my head that I might end up developing arthritis, I want to do all that is possible to have a healthier lifestyle. I try to exercise regularly and watch my diet. Did you guys make any diet changes? Lifestyle changes?

I was 23 when I started having inflammation in my fingers. My middle finger on my right hand would swell up like a sausage for 2-3 days and then my left would do the same. It moved to different joints. Right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot etc.

It was very painful and I went to the doctor who told me I had tenitus. I was 5'9", 165lbs and very muscular in very good shape physically. I do not think that environmental issues had any effect on RA in my case. I have all the positive markers for RA though but even with these it took almost 3 years for me to be properly diagnosed. My Doctor at the time thought I was too young to have RA.

I have found over the years that some foods do seem to exasperate my inflammation like corn. It is in most all foods that are pre made so I do not eat them. A elimination diet can help you to determine if there are foods that making this worse for you.

With a high uric acid you would do well to read about ways to alkalize your diet. I have read that uric acid can be a factor in Gout as well. I used to juice alot and things like celery, cucumbers etc can help with this if used or drank regularly.

I hope that you are able to find some peace with all of this. Just because your mom has RA does not mean that you will have it. I know that it can have genetic links though because it runs in the men in my family. My father as well as great grandfather both had it but there are also many people in my family who do not.

I have two daughters so I have worried about this as well. In fact anytime they have complained about their joints hurting I tend to get very worried. The truth though is that many illnesses can have an affect on our joints. One of my daughters had a bad viral infection that had her joints swelling up but eventually went away.

I hope your mother is well and that you can find peace with this.

It's limited for me right now. My left foot is having issues. I don't know if it's neuropathy from my diabetes or something else, but it feels weird when I walk.

couchtater, sounds like neuropathy. maybe you should visit a neurologist. Don_D, I agree, trusting God and connecting with one's spiritual side can be a comfort while dealing with such things. For me, the pain is now growing day by, at first it was only discomfort in the knees, which turned to pain and now i feel burning sensations in my both elbows, stronger in my left arm and even back, followed by headache. could be a muscular thing but who knows. so i have an appointment soon