Rheumatoid Arthritis?

[ObiWanCannoli]

I have odd symptoms it started about three months ago my finger next to my thumb became very swollen stiff and sore but no sign of infection, hot to the touch and quite painful if I knocked it or used it. I took too long to get the GP as we were relocating, when the swelling subside I developed an odd rash around the joints of my finger. By the time my GP saw me my finger was down but the joint puffy. GP suspects something but thought the rash looked a bit like eczema although he wasn't certain as my hands in general weren't dry. I know it's not eczema as it developed after the swelling went down and feels nothing like eczema, I used to get pomphlets eczema but the first rash has gone and now I have a second patch on the joint below my nail bed. My finger is very stiff and swollen when I wake up but it's ok and gets less swollen by late morning early afternoon.

GP would like me to arrange blood tests although husband is away until April, I have 4 kids and home educate and can't get a sitter. I don't want to take 4 kids with me.

I'm also very tired and I sometimes feel really down and upset, I've never felt like this before it seems to go hand in hand with the exhaustion.

Early December my shoulder became very painful, I was told rotator cuff. It too is still swollen and cracks a lot when I move it which is painful. It's stiff and the movement in it is reduced. It's really annoying as I'm able to do far less. I'm unsure of the rotator cuff as it was early December when I went to the GP, can't remember injuring it and i went to the GP prior to relocating and they were rubbish had a bad reputation and had many dissatisfied patients.

So is there an easy diagnosis for Rheumatoid arthritis? I have reynauds, scoliosis and fibromyalgia. No idea if it's relevant but I'm just over 5"7 tall and 9 stone. My weight fluctuates I struggle to keep it up.

I'm just wanting to get this sorted as soon as I can my husband works away frequently in the summer we rely on this wage to tide us over in the winter so I really can't get sick. Thank you for your advice.

[Zariyah]

Early diagnosis is really important if it is RA. I know it would be a nightmare taking 4 kids but you really do need those bloods. I'm not sure a GP can refer to rheumatology without them.

You sound like you have some autoimmune issues going on.

for you.

[Zariyah]

How old are your kids btw? A blood test is very quick, are they able to sit in the waiting room without you?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

If you do have RA and you leave it untreated then it is guaranteed you will get worse. Not getting it diagnosed as RA won't stop your joints getting damaged. Find a way to get the blood test done ASAP, the sooner its treated, the less damage done and the less impact on your life.

Do you have a friend who could watch the DC for you, otherwise you might have to take them.

Good luck.

[PoshPenny]

I think you need to get the blood tests done and just take the kids along if necessary. Bribe them to sit outside if necessary.

[Blistory]

If it's an inflammatory arthritis, the sooner you get diagnosed and treated the better.

Given your other conditions, I'd check out psoriatic arthritis - similar in some ways to RA but a bugger to get diagnosed. Swollen finger, morning stiffness, rash, fatigue are all pretty typical and your shoulder could well be part of it as could the reynaulds. Although it's an inflammatory arthritis like RA it doesn't always show up with positive inflammation markers in blood tests so might be worth asking your GP to consider it if the test for rheumatoid factor comes back negative.

[ObiWanCannoli]

Thank you for the replies, I woke up with a swollen knee and so I bit the bullet and made a GPs appointment. Monday am the earliest I can get. Kids are 9, 7, 5 and 3 middle two have hfa, they should be ok. The GPs have annoying hi tech radiators, doors and blinds. The eldest is fine but the younger kids can't resist the buttons it is so stressful and there are no toys! I know I need to go I'm scared of the results so I have been putting it off. Tonight I have no idea what it's called? Opposite your knuckle I guess it's the back of your knuckle palm side is now swollen and my grip is worse. I only noticed this trying to open kids capped paracetamol. I feel so off and out of sorts, the word sub par comes to mind. Even typing this hurts.

Thanks for the kind words, I'm terrified.

[GetifuYaBassa]

I was diagnosed with RA about 8 years ago. Excruciating pain in my feet the moment they touched the floor in the morning, with stiffness that would wear off as the day progressed. My sister had her suspicions as she also has an autoimmune condition, but it was the blood tests that confirmed it. Oddly enough, 8 years on its not my feet that I struggle with now but my hands/wrists and shoulders.
Mine is managed by medication and I haven't had too many flair-ups in the past year, though mine is fairly low-level compared to some sufferers.
You need to have the blood test to get the ball rolling OP.

[FurbysMakeSexNoises]

How has it gone OP? I'm in a similar position having just gone to my GP and am waiting for the clinic date and results from my bloods but I'm really scared it might be RA. My DD has coeliac disease so autoimmune things run in the family. Can't stop thinking about it and NSAIDs not really having much effect.

My finger/thumb on one hand are mostly affected but haven't had problems with weight/sweats etc. Have been through tremendous stress recently so do wonder if that's provoked it.